Mahindra New Generation Scorpio - Road Test Review

Though I had a S10 version, it was not the with a shift on fly four wheel drive. Mine was a 2-wheel drive. But I was in no mood to complain, the vehicle’s dynamic personality just told me to enjoy the drive. The S10 version comes with all the beautiful features that a Scorpio can hold. In fact, it simply builds up on the features as it reaches the S10 level. The S2 model powered by the M2diCR engine has LED tail lamps, micro hybrid feature, digital immobiliser, hydraulic assisted bonnet and power steering. The S4 variant has all the features of an S2 and comes with a MHawk engine and has a shift on fly four wheel drive (optional). The S6 comes with add ons like 2 DIN audio system, ski rack, voice assist system, panic brake indication, speakers with tweeters, spoiler, rear wash and wipe, rear demister and body coloured exteriors. The S8 additionally has projector headlamps, dual airbags, ABS, alloy wheels, fog lamps and reverse parking assist. The fully loaded S10 has advanced static bending technology, LED eyebrows, advanced 6” touch screen infotainment with GPS navigation, fully automatic temperature control, rain and light sensors, steering mounted audio and cruise controls, etc.

The new Scorpio is the fourth generation model. In 2002 when the Scorpio was launched it gave a fuel average of 11.2kmpl of diesel but in 2014 the figure has gone up to 15.37kmpl. This could not have happened without the tweaking of the engine and everything that is connected to it.

To top it, this SUV comes in a new 17 inches alloy wheels, silver-finished fender bezel, new wrap around bonnet, new bonnet scoop with low drag intake design, new road armour bumpers, new fog lamps and side cladding with silver embossing. There is also the tyre-tronics, a sophisticated measuring system that enhances the safety by providing live updates of exact air pressure and temperature in each tyre.

After having driven the old Scorpio for a long time and enjoying it thoroughly, this one comes as a breath of fresh air. There is a huge improvement on the driveability front. The moment you tweak your engine into life, the power steering eases your efforts in driving and thereafter the engine simply does its job smartly. The new 5MT320 gearbox shifts into the different gears with great ease.  The turning radius of the vehicle too has come down to 5.4 metres. That makes this big fella easy to manoeuvre even in narrow lanes. 

While the driving has definitely improved as compared to its predecessor, the ride and handling too has remarkably become top notch. The new Scorpio comes with an all new platform including cushion suspension and anti-roll technologies. The cushioning makes your journey on rugged roads rather comforting.

As for pick up and speed, yes there is  hardly any turbo lag and whatever little is there gets cleared out as one sees the rpm meter go beyond the 1500 range. It then becomes quite linear and responsive. The door window controls are thankfully on the door handles which is a great relief as it was earlier at the centre near to the gear knob. I was not too happy with the hand rests for the driver seat, it was not comfortably placed. Nor were some of the seat adjustment levers by the side of the seat...they were almost inaccessible when the door was closed...my hand could hardly slide in the gap to reach them! The inside door handles too are a bit tacky and uncomfortable to hold and pull. Any changes to this model would only require the insides to be slightly refurbished.

Except for a few of these drawbacks, I think the new Scorpio is an outright winner on the Indian roads. Without this tadka, life loses its zing!