It is hard to imagine that the modern Indian juggernaut that is the Mahindra Group has a rags-to-riches story underpinning its name. Established as steel merchants way back in 1945 with two brothers, Kailesh and Jagdish Mahindra partnering with Malik Mohammed, the original business was named Mahindra and Mohammed. When Mr Mohammed moved to the new state of Pakistan in 1948, the company stamps and stationary, reflecting M&M was deemed too costly to change for the fledgling company. Changing the name to Mahindra and Mahindra provided an affordable solution. The rest as they say is history.
Mahindra’s foray into the automotive world started in 1948 when they started assembling Willys Jeeps under licence. This arrangement continued with AMC (American Motor Corporation) who acquired Willys in 1970 and subsequently Chrysler, who in turn acquired AMC in 1997. In 1989 Mahindra started manufacturing their ‘own’ vehicles, initially using Peugeot diesel engines. Indian automotive companies have a distinct advantage in that they have a huge domestic market to satisfy. This allows them to establish themselves financially before their production capacity is such that they can consider the export market. Over the years they have been involved in joint ventures with world automotive players such as AMC, Peugeot, Mitsubishi, Ford, Renault and International Truck. Mahindra is the largest manufacturer of tractors worldwide and is becoming an ever more dominant force in various aspects of agriculture.
Little wonder then that since entering the SA market in 2004 they have enjoyed significant growth and success. They have established themselves with solid, simple and reliable vehicles such as the Scorpio and Bolero which have become firm value-for-money favourites with many South Africans. They served notice on expanding their offering with the launch of the XUV 500 SUV in 2011, which really had people starting to take notice of its contemporary styling, features and creature comforts.
Enter the Scorpio–N 4XPLOR
A thoroughly modern competitor in the 4X4 lifestyle SUV space. Let me just say at this point that I have become a firm fan of Indian vehicles since visiting TVS in India a decade ago. The streets of New Delhi are awash with 30-year-old Mahindra’s, still reliably going about their daily business.
Recently winning the SA Adventure SUV of the Year, as well as Motor Enthusiast of the Year awards, it has set the South African lifestyle motoring scene a-buzz. I managed to spend a few days behind the wheel of the Scorpio–N to try and understand what all the excitement was about. The heart of any vehicle is undoubtedly its powertrain. The Scorpio–N boasts Mahindra’s excellent 2179 cc four-cylinder turbodiesel. Smooth and refined, it pumps out 129 Kw @3500 rpm and a decent 400 Nm @1750 rpm. Power is fed through a 6-speed automatic gearbox, featuring low range for 4×4 duty. It rolls on 255/60×18 wheels. The tank is perhaps a tad small at 57 litres, but, having said that, the N sips diesel rather frugally.
I did not do consumption tests myself, as my time with the vehicle was limited, however, CAR magazine, in their 4×4 SUV feature recorded the best overall consumption with the N at an average of 8,64 l/100 km. This returns a respectable 659 k’s to a tank. Another noteworthy figure emerging from the test was the braking performance. Braking from 100 km/h the N required a mere 2.9 seconds to come to a standstill. The average stopping time of the other 5 vehicles was 3,35 seconds. Makes you think, doesn’t it?
This is not a comprehensive review as time precluded me from undertaking the sort of trip that would allow me to expand fully on the N’s strengths and weaknesses. What my time with the N did do, was blow my mind in terms of the value proposition that the Scorpio-N represents. At a remarkable R620,999, it undercuts its opposition by a whopping R300,000. Flip! You can buy yourself a Scorpio-N for your 4×4 adventures AND an XUV300 for your missus for the price difference.
Alternatively, think what a cool Overlander you can build with over R300K of change. So, what will you compromise? Not comfort, capability or features. The N is comprehensively equipped with all the typical mod cons and electronic trickery that abounds in modern vehicles. The finishes may be ever so slightly less lavish than vehicles that cost a third more but then you have to ‘really’ nitpick.
There was absolutely nothing that hinted at ‘cheap’ or suggested any cost cutting. It is simply Mahindra doing what Mahindra does best, building a superb offering at a superb price point. This vehicle ticks all your adventure lifestyle boxes and then some. It is no secret that the South African economy is under siege. Affordability is becoming a way bigger deal than ever before. I would challenge you to go and drive the Scorpio-N. it is an absolute blast to drive.
Perhaps its only limitation is as a tow vehicle if you have a behemoth of an offroad caravan or trailer. It will do the job, albeit a bit slower. For the rest of us, it is a case of doing the old Ben Franklin Balance Sheet. Remembered as one of the wisest American Presidents ever, he would list all the reasons for and all the reasons against, and then decide accordingly. When you drive the N and compare it against its peers it is seriously competitive. Once you bring the purchase price into the equation, the Mahindra simply blows the opposition away!
The South African Guild of Journalists recognised Mahindra’s achievement in bringing a vehicle to market with both excellent on and off-road capabilities in a fully spec’d package at an incredible price point by awarding it the SA Adventure SUV of the Year award.
In recognition of this achievement, Mahindra embarked on a Scorpio-N Expedition through the Namib, Skeleton Coast, Damaraland and the Kaokoveld. The standard Mahindra’s will showcase the ability of their ladder chassis and Pentalink multi-link suspension as well as 4XPLOR terrain settings in some of the harshest terrain on the planet. Here is a vehicle that will allow you to embark on family adventures without selling a kidney.
I will try and arrange for a more extended time with the Scorpio-N XPLOR in an environment that does its great capabilities justice—watch this space…
For more information visit – www.mahindra.co.za
