After a wait of more than eight months, the all-new Mahindra Scorpio has arrived in Australia.
Experts believe that it provides a cut-price alternative to ladder-frame, diesel-powered 4WDs like the Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Ford Everest.
Sachin Arolkar, Mahindra’s Head of International Operations, told media:
“Scorpio is an iconic SUV brand and a true testament to sophisticated engineering that is aimed at delivering an authentic 4WD experience.”
Mahindra’s range opens with the Scorpio Z8, which is $41,990 drive-away. This six-seater SUV has 18-inch alloy wheels, LED front lighting – including sequential indicators, DRLs and fog lamps – a sunroof, and skid plates.
It can be bought in two trim levels, both riding on an all-new platform and featuring a 2.2-litre diesel (129kW and 400Nm) and six-speed Aisin automatic transmission. It also has an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, twin-zone climate control, and USB-A and USB-C charging in the first and second rows.
Scorpio Z8L, $44,990 drive-away, has a 12-speaker Sony stereo, wireless device charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-way powered driver’s seat and a bigger 7.0-inch colour display in the driver’s binnacle.
Mr Arolkar adds:
“The Scorpio leverages our expertise in SUVs with a range of technological advancements and will be a compelling proposition for our Australian customers. We are confident that the all-new Scorpio will be the first step in scaling up our operations multiple-fold in Australia.”
Both models on sale in Australia have a 2.5-tonne braked towing capacity and arrive with a heap of proper off-road kit.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) is now mandatory for all newly-introduced vehicles approved for sale in Australia from 1 March 2023. However, there’s no AEB and lane management or blind-spot assistance.
The Scorpio has received a five-star safety rating from the Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP) and the prices given are billed as “introductory” offers in effect until 30 June 2023.
