Mahindra Scorpio's design has been an eye-catcher among SUVs and has bagged many an award for its styling. Designed completely in-house by Mahindra, it has been one of the major success stories in India.
Interior
Scorpio's interiors look quite modern with a nicely rounded and organic-looking dashboard with large buttons and knobs. The front seats are pretty comfortable and offer the best lower back support. Air con vents in between the front seats have effective cooling for rear passengers.
Engine
The m-Hawk engine makes use of 2nd generation Bosch common rail injection system with solenoid injectors. The 4 cylinder, m-Hawk features VGT develops 290 Nm of torque in a wide range of 1600-2800rpm. The VGT will help to eliminate turbo lag. It develops 120bhp and can reach 60kmph from zero in just 5.7 seconds. All this is possible because the light weight mHawk engine, with its all-aluminium cylinder heads is tuned for power.
A decrease in gross weight, coupled with a reduction in base engine friction, ensures that parasitic losses of power are seriously lowered and acceleration gets even better. The sporty bonnet scoop provides a direct passage for air to rush into the mHawk's top-mounted intercooler. The intercooler, in turn, directs this air into passages to optimise engine cooling. The reduced mass of the m-Hawk will also help in improvement of dynamics, the m-Hawk engine is built from aluminium alloy and hence it is 60kg lighter than the current 2.6L CRDe engine.
Ride and Handling
The Scorpio's chassis is extremely rigid and stiff and you don't get any rattles. The suspension is very supple and in city traffic or at low speeds, it glides over the road, the soft suspension working noiselessly to filter out the bumps. Even on rough or bad road, at least when driven at low speeds, the suspension copes pretty well. The steering and other controls are pretty light, which makes it o easy to drive in town.
Convenience
There is also tyre pressure monitoring system which tells you the exact air pressure and temperature of each tyre. The sensors located in each tyre monitor pressure and temperature and any unwanted changes in either will immediately flash on the instrument cluster, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable driving experience.
The advanced Intellipark system allows you to keep a look out for anything happening behind you without having to turn your head. Moreover, reversing ultrasonic sensors in the rear help you judge the distance between the vehicle and anything in its way. A sophisticated warning system allows you to judge the location of any obstacle in the rear view mirror.
Safety
The Mahindra Scorpio comes with advanced safety features that include three rear seatbelts, a collapsible steering column and intrusion beams. The Scorpio also has crash protecting crumple zones, for additional protection of its occupants from the impact of collisions.
Verdict
The Scorpio with its sturdy looks and powerful performance, the automobile has set a benchmark for the design of SUVs. It has undergone many modifications since its launch in India, in 2002 and now offers all the elements of comfort and ruggedness that are expected from a present-day SUV. The car rules the off-road tracks and is a head turner in the busy urban traffic.