NOW sporting ‘N’ badge the new Mahindra Scorpio- N is a family SUV.
Boasting a 7-seat it is adventurous- though I did not go that far during test drive, except when I took Gran for a Doctor’s check-up, she kept on asking ‘why is this car so big and high’ since I had to pull her up, when entering this SUV?
With holidays almost upon us, its recommendable that families should own one, and enjoy the modern and stylish feel of Scorpio- N.
According to the manufacture, this Indian model is the first vehicle of its kind to score 5 stars in Global NCAP crash testing, meaning the company invested substantially in improving the model’s structural rigidity. There’s a double wishbone suspension up front and a Pentalink (Watt’s linkage) setup at the rear, to prove that.
It boast the best-in-class cabin space with generous equipment and feature levels across the range, including excellent Sony audio system, a sizeable infotainment touchscreen that’s Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatible, a wireless charging pad, USB ports (front and rear), and potent climate control system that handled the high temperatures we’ve been experiencing throughout the country.
On the engine front- it has been updated with Mahindra’s mHawk 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel, which produces outputs of 128.6 kW/400 Nm and is mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
It claims a consumption figure of 6.9 L/100 km.
The key factors at play were automatically-locking diff and the selectable off-road modes. The Scorpio-N is primarily rear-wheel driven, and featured off-road settings called 4EXPLOR, which incorporates self-explanatory modes such as Normal, Grass/Snow, Mud/Ruts and Sand.
It has the imposing stance of Mahindra’s newcomer. The daytime-running lights at the front are eye-catching, as well. The ‘N’ stands at 187mm of ground clearance.
The Scorpio name is legendary in India, where more than 800 000 units have been sold since 2002, and in South Africa, more than 6 000 units thus far.
In Haartebees, a drive from Joburg, were we took it for a final round, locals and an international group from Germany, were in awe, as they kept snapping unashamedly at the red Scorpio, along the famous but dirty dam. Tourism numbers are decreasing as a result.
The new Scorpio-N derivatives are sold with a 5-year/100 000 km service plan and a 5-year/150 000 km warranty.
Price options:
| Scorpio-N 2.2D Z4 6AT 4×2 | R465 000 |
| Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 6AT 4×2 | R510 000 |
| Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 6AT 4×4 | R560 000 |
| Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8L 6AT 4×4 | R590 000 |
Verdict
Performance 1-10 (5)
Fuel 1-10 (4)
Top image SLM (The new Mahindra ‘N’ badge boast 4EXPLOR).
