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The Mahindra Scorpio Getaway is basically a Scorpio that has had its rear-most box removed and in the place of this, a rear platform has been added along with roll-bars and given new stickers to enhance the looks. So will this new identity work? Only if you’re the kind of person who prefers to be outdoors rather than in and if you love adventure and driving along roads that are not paved; this is the car for you. The suits should probably stay away from this vehicle.

Once inside the getaway, the resemblance to the Scorpio is uncanny. The front seats are short on support, just like the Scorpio, the circular vents do not direct airflow efficiently and even the compressor on/off switches are too small. However, it is when you sit in the rear that it is reaffirmed that this isn’t actually a Scorpio – the backrest is more vertical than the Scorpio and this isn’t in the favour of the Getaway. Unfortunately, space behind the second row is non-existent; you couldn’t even fit a small wallet there as directly behind this row is the rear windscreen. Ok, so there is the deck that can carry 600kgs, but this is open air and security maybe compromised. So while this might not be the ideal vehicle for shopping trips to the mall, it is great for transporting equipment when you go on outdoor picnics or trekking.

The four-cylinder, 2609cc inter-cooled, common-rail turbo-diesel engine of the Scorpio does duty on the Getaway as well. However, with the Getaway, the engine has to work harder to lug the additional 140kgs of weight. Generating 115bhp at 3800rpm, the Getaway hits the 100kph mark nearly four seconds later than the Scorpio. The eager punchy response of the CRDe engine has been dulled by the added weight. The shorter second and third gears on the Getaway too cannot help recapture the Scorpio magic. Also at a disadvantage, owing to the added weight, is the fuel economy. Luckily, this is a diesel-powered car but still, compared to the Scorpio’s 9.6kpl in the city and 13.0kpl on the highway, the Getaway delivers 8.5kpl and 11.5kpl on the city and highway respectively.

ADDENDUM The essential difference between the regular Scorpio and the Getaway is the new rear loading bay

The weakest part of the Scorpio was its handling and last year, M&M gave it a new coil spring rear suspension that mildly improved its road manners and the bouncy ride. The Getaway reverts to the semi-elliptical leaf springs in the rear. The front suspension is a double wishbone with torsion bar and it feels stiffer with a marginal improvement in the steering. Though the Getaway isn’t the most comfortable vehicle to be in on the highway, if you take a road that hasn’t been paved or any rough terrain, that’s when you can truly appreciate this vehicle. Its 16inch wheels can tackle the most difficult terrain and if things get really tough, you also have the four-wheel-drive option.

So, if you are an adventure sport enthusiast or have to carry large equipment and luggage and drive through all kinds of undiscovered roads or places with no roads at all, the Getaway is the ideal vehicle for you. Despite the fact that this car shares the same front profile and engine with the Scorpio, it is a different vehicle from the Scorpio and will serve different purposes. In fact, by 2009, M&M might even introduce the getaway in the difficult US market. That version will be slightly different from the one we get here. M&M obviously has high hopes for the Getaway and is also being quite ambitious venturing into the US market. In the meanwhile, if you’re on the lookout for the perfect outdoor vehicle, give the Getaway a try.

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