Mahindra Axe review, road test

The 175hp, five-cylinder diesel motor that powers the Axe is a Mercedes unit, sourced via SsangYong Motors of Korea. This common-rail diesel sends power to either the rear or all four wheels by a five-speed automatic box, also a Mercedes-Benz unit. The Axe also has a low range, as can be expected, but lockable differentials are not required by the Army. Probably a maintenance-related deletion. 

We set off from a dhaba, where the vehicles have met us, and the sensation of driving something massive and high is overwhelming. You are sat so high, it’s almost like you are taxiing an aircraft. Then the truck-like width of the Axe means you have to keep checking the left corner to see if you can clear obstacles.

Taking a U-turn on the highway however soon proves one thing beyond doubt. Nothing commands as much respect. Truckers who usually stop for nothing screech to a halt on seeing the pair of Axes attempting a U-turn. The intimidation factor is massive, and this is proved repeatedly as drivers regularly pull out to give you way. Even Delhi’s otherwise very aggressive private taxi drivers scamper away in morbid fear. Oh, what a taxi-terminator this would make!

Of course, it doesn’t drive like a car or feel anything as fleet-footed. Remember, there’s two-and-a-half tonnes to push around, and the motor, torque converter and automatic gearbox have to work really hard to get it moving. Noise insulation is also very poor, and there is lot of fan and engine noise present when accelerating.

Keeping up with and overtaking traffic calls for a lot of effort from the engine and you have to be flat on the throttle when you want to pass someone. Acceleration isn’t very impressive, except when you drive it flat-out. We actually strapped our V-box onto the Axe and it did the 0-100 kilometres-an-hour sprint; it actually managed it in under 20 seconds. Not bad considering the weight and the fact that it took only 1.9 seconds more to reach 100kph when compared to the Ford Fusion diesel.