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Heads or tail lamps, Scorpio wins
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The handsome and successful Scorpio gets a makeover. And as ASHISH MASIH finds out, the changes go far beyond mere skin deep
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Mahindra roped in experts from Lotus Engineering in the UK for fine-tuning the suspension settings
TELL-TALE SIGNS Tall tail lamps, a faux air scoop on the hood, a new bumper and other cosmetic bits changed. Biggest achievement is allround independent suspension, though
Rarely has a single product changed the profile and fortunes of a company the way the Scorpio has done for Mahindra. Before the Scorpio, buyers in metros rarely regarded a Mahindra as a choice for personal transport - the company was better known for its tractors and agricultural products.
The secret behind the enduring success of the Scorpio has been that M&M are proactive about this car, taking customer feedback seriously, and then doing something about the complaints. The last major change was the CRDe engine that came in early 2005.
Springing a surprise
Mahindra engineers were aware of the shortcomings of the car. The first problem was the suspension system, which provided as much confidence at high speeds as Bush did in Saddam. The other problem was with the middle row seats which were simply too cramped for comfort.
The culprit behind the not too great ride was the antiquated leaf spring suspension at the rear. Mahindra wisely decided to change the leaf springs and use a coil spring and damper setup instead. The company roped in experts from Lotus Engineering in the UK for fine-tuning the settings. The front suspension's settings were altered too and to go with all of this, the steering mounting was also changed. The two companies worked on many variations of the new set-up. A total of seventy-six iterations were looked at for the rear suspension before arriving at the final config. The entire program took eight months from the time the first prototype was ready.
On the road, there is a clear difference in the handling characteristics of the new Scorpio. The rear end seems better planted on the road and the suspension goes about its job more quietly - the new tubeless tyres help out here.
Overall ride quality has also improved and every cavity on the road's surface will not be felt by the passengers. However, don't expect Toyota Innova levels of ride comfort. The Scorpio still bounces quite a bit, but ride quality is without a doubt much improved from the older car.
Plastics surgery
Cosmetically, the biggest change is at the rear end. The new tall tail-lamps with the double barrel lenses that bulge outwards along with the rear body panel look interesting. The strip above the twin lenses does not illuminate nor does it act as reflector, it's just there for visual impact.
The front bumper has been slightly modified with splitter air-dams at each corner and the number plate gets its own plastic surround. There's also a scoop on the hood, but it's more for show and doesn't serve any practical purpose. The Scorpio also gets a new spoiler and roof racks as part of the redesign.
Changes to the interiors are the new AC vents and rotary air-con control knobs. The plastic quality of some switches still leaves a lot to be desired though. The new stereo gets a USB port to plug in your pen drive and goes a long way in reducing the clutter of CD's. The centre console also gets four cup-holders and a cubbyhole.
Space ace
The best change to the interior is the middle row seat, which now gets a sliding mechanism and can now be pushed forward or backward depending on the passenger's preference. And though the rear wheel arches limit the free rear movement of the seats the few extra centimetres that M&M have liberated it makes the Scorpio's rear seats more comfortable.
What hasn't changed though is the engine under the hood - the 2609cc common-rail unit is easily the best aspect of the car. It provides good torque, is refined and remains amazingly smooth. This engine has in a short period of time earned a reputation for being reliable and fuel-efficient. Engineers at M&M have tuned the exhaust and given new engine mounts, which further reduce noise and vibration levels.
In the overall analysis, the new Scorpio is a much-improved car and a sheer winner. It might not be the greatest SUV in terms of handling and ride and its cabin might have a lot of iffy plastic parts but it does have the finest engine on any SUV this side of the million rupees mark. It also comes with a great image. And the fact that there is no price hike (for at least now), makes the new Scorpio a superb value-for-money package.
TECHNICAL DATA
MAHINDRA SCORPIO
How much?
Rs 9.21 lakh
How big?
Length: 4,495 mm
Width: 1,817 mm
Height: 1,975 mm
Wheelbase: 2,680 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 60 litres
Engine
Type: 2609cc, 4 cylinders
in-line, diesel
Max power: 115 bhp @ 3800rpm
Max torque: 28.3kgm @
1700-2200 rpm
Transmission
5-speed manual
Tyres
235/70 R16
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