Overcoming the odds

Mahindra has done it once but it’s now time for a round two refocus

Just a few months back we were all painting the Indian manufacturers with the newcomer brush but, now with a sudden sweep from the Far East, the Indians have become the accepted and somewhat respected cheaper alternatives to the Japanese big players. For now, the Chinese have taken over the stigma that Mahindra and Tata have fought off but only time will tell if they can shed it like the Indians have managed. Vehicles like this Scorpio Double Cab Pik-Up have done wonders for Mahindra and it is not necessarily because it offers a super package, but rather because it offers a realistic price.

On paper the Scorpio Pik-Up does the job admirably with a 2.5-litre inter cooled and turbocharged diesel lump, a load bin, good ground clearance and although we can’t get a tow load number from the manufacturers noticed that it chugs along fine with a trailer in tow.

A high seating position, long bonnet and massive bulbar combine with a noisy diesel clattering engine to give a scale impression of what it is like to fire up a Mack truck. But once the Mahindra is warmed up power delivery is smooth and other than the whirr from beneath the bonnet you would not know you were in a turbo-diesel. The power is delivered to the back wheels via a 5-speed box and braking is adequately handled by some discs up front and drums on the rear.

Power steering comes as standard but is a little vague considering the amount of corrections needed in keeping the vehicle straight on corrugated roads. The ride is harsh and makes the Pik-Up a bit skittish and annoying squeaks and rattles abound. Interior features include electric front windows, electric mirrors, aircon, cup holders and a radio/CD that all combine to give the Scorpio a somewhat SUV-lifestyle appearance rather than workhorse crew-cab image. This is a good thing as with only a 530kg load capacity and dimensions of 1530mmx1530mm the Pik-Up is not going to be comfortable carting a herd of cement bags or long electrical conduit.

On the downside, the interior finishing leaves a lot to be desired. No two panels line up and the choice of materials is crumby. Fake carbon fibre surrounds cheap and nasty details while the upholstery pattern would look better as wallpaper in a Victorian house. That said, as has been said before, once all the gadgets and bad details fall off you will probably be left with a solid and reliable vehicle. Mahindra are confident and offer a three-year/100 000km warranty.

So who should buy the Indian manufacturers offering? I reckon that Mahindra are targeting the private person who wants a double-cab leisure vehicle but can’t quite muster enough moola for a Hilux or Navara. The only problem for Mahindra is that for similar money you can buy a 2005 2.7 Hilux with 50 000 kilometres on the clock. Perhaps a refocus is needed. Strip out superfluous extras and make the Scorpio Pik-Up cheaper and more suited to a working environment. Don’t try and flog them off as an SUV.