Mahindra subjects Scorpio to local testing

MAHINDRA has released details of the localised testing program undergone by its Scorpio SUV range prior to the model’s Australian launch.

The Indian marque says the Scorpio has completed over one million kilometres of testing across four continents, with three vehicles heading to Australia to undertake a “rigorous120,000km test program” over a six-months period.

Mahindra says local testing focused specifically on performance, on- and off-road capabilities, ride and handling, and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) refinement.

Built on Mahindra’s third-generation body-on-frame platform, the Scorpio SUV is said to be “all new from the ground up” and boasts “class-leading structural rigidity, off-road capability and exemplary on-road manners”.

The rugged family-hauler features Mahindra’s new 4XPLOR intelligent terrain management system with electronic shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive technology that is said to be designed to “cater to the unique needs of the Australian market”. During local testing, Mahindra engineers put the Scorpio through its paces in “extreme heat, cold, rain, as well as rough terrain, steep inclines and sharp turns”.

According to Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd head of Asia Pacific international operations, Joydeep Moitra, the engineering assessment vehicles were pushed beyond normal driving conditions, including towing in temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, being driven for up to 18 hours a day, and in one instance for 10,000km non-stop on outback dirt roads.

“Thorough testing is critical to our launch planning, and we’re proud to announce the upcoming launch of the Scorpio SUV in Australia as a significant step towards expanding our business globally,” he said.

We conducted extensive testing of the flagship SUV in Australia, covering 120,000km since October last year. A team of engineers gathered daily data and provided feedback to the design teams on the performance of the cars in tough Australian conditions.

“These SUVs have performed exceptionally well. This testing has ensured that the Scorpio is well-suited for the Australian market and sets the stage for Mahindra to strengthen its position as a global SUV-maker.”

The robust-looking Scorpio was designed with input from Pininfarina’s Italian design studio and is understood to be offered with both diesel and petrol engines in international markets.

Locally, GoAuto understands only the 128kW/400Nm 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel will be available, paired with the choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

The Scorpio rides on adaptive coil-over-spring dampers at the front and a multi-link solid axle rear end. Braking is via four-wheel discs behind steel or alloy wheels of 17-inch or 18-inch diameter dependent on specification level.

The all-new Mahindra Scorpio SUV will be officially unveiled to Australian media on April 19. Visit GoAuto again soon for full pricing and specification details – and our local launch review.