New Mahindra Scorpio to get all-new chassis, gearbox

EXCLUSIVE!

The new Mahindra Scorpio which will be launched on September 25, 2014, has been given its most serious upgrade since it was first introduced in 2002. Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has made considerable improvements in the styling, interiors and mechanicals to bring its iconic SUV up to date.

The new Scorpio (code W 105) will sport a new iteration of its prominent ‘fan-grille’ straddled by a pair of striking new headlights whilst the tail-lights have been given a strip of LEDs for a modern look. The bumpers too are all new and more sculpted than before.

However, the styling upgrades for the new Scorpio go beyond changes to ‘soft parts’ like the bumpers, grille and lights, and in fact, there are substantial sheet metal changes too. According to sources in M&M, the bonnet, fenders and doors are all new which has completely changed the look of the SUV. A wider track and lower height makes the new Scorpio look more hunkered down and planted.

The interiors too have been revamped and, apart from some styling tweaks, are much more functional as well. The chrome-lined rectangular air-con vents and buttons for the all-new automatic climate control system lends a premium feel to the insides. The centre console gets a big touchscreen for all the infotainment fucntions which could include a navigation system and a feed from the rear-view camera. The instrument cluster is completely new as well with modern looking dials and a new multi-information display. There are some ergonomic changes as well. The all-new steering wheel is better to grip and for the first time in a Scorpio, you get steering-mounted controls. The power window switches have been moved from the centre console to a more convenient location on the doors and storage space has been enhanched with a new twin-glove box.

The engine is a carryover from the previous Scorpio so you get the 2.2-litre mHawk turbo-diesel which delivers 120bhp and 29.57kgm of torque. However, the gearbox is all-new and the Scorpio is the first recipient of M&M’s newly developed 320MT five-speed transmission which promises a much better shift than before.

The big news, however, is an all-new body-on-frame chassis which underpins the new Scorpio. Again, the Scorpio will be the first recipient of M&M’s next-gen ladder chassis which uses hydroforming to give it a stiffer, more lightweight design. According sources in M&M, the new chassis has completely transformed the dynamics of the Scorpio to give it far better ride and handling. In fact, because of its high centre of gravity and tall proportions, the previous Scorpio had poor dynamics which M&M engineers claim to have finally sorted out.

M&M is likely to price the new Scorpio around Rs 30,000 more (ex-showroom) than the outgoing model when it goes on sale at the end of the month.