Scorpio has been the best selling SUV that comes from Mahindra since it was launched in 2002. Scorpio has been the favourite of Indians and it has seen every tarmac of Indian Roads.
Although Scorpio has seen many facelifts in the past but has never got its hands on a generation update. So keep calm and we are sure that the next generation Mahindra Scorpio will once again be ruling the Indian Roads next year.
Birth of Mahindra Scorpio
First Generation (2002-2006)
The Scorpio was first launched in 2002 with a macho styling, a big 2.6-litre diesel engine – a turbo unit, not common-rail, and commanding road presence. Scorpio was not a comfortable car for the second and third-row passengers thanks to its ladder-frame chassis and it was a roller coaster ride at first. When driven vigorously it would turn your knuckles white as it would bounce over any and everything throwing it all over the place.
But these things did not matter for the fans and the demand for them was huge.
Second Generation (2006-2014)
Mahindra reworked and almost completely re-engineered the Scorpio for its second and probably most popular itineration to date. Having realised that many Scorpios were being used as daily drivers the company focused on making the car easier to live with. Visually, the design was tweaked, with an all-new tail light cluster, the addition of a functional bonnet scoop, new bumpers and even sticker graphics. But the most important change came in the form of heavily reworked suspension. The leaf springs on the rear of the original car made way for multi-link coil-overs, which significantly improved ride and no longer made the handling heart-stopping.
Third Generation (2014-2017)
In 2014 the Scorpio received its first major chassis update, with an all-new platform. And it also got a rather in-your-face front end while retaining the familiar silhouette and proportions. Of course, styling is subjective and I like the new headlamp cluster that gave the Scorpio a more contemporary look, going well with the dominant front grille and more modern styling touches. The body-on-frame platform was developed in-house and the modular platform formed the basis for other Mahindra vehicles with the flexibility built in to go extended wheelbase or shortened to fit a smaller vehicle. The platform sports a wider front and rear track, while also using anti-roll bars for the first time. The focus was to provide a stiffer chassis and it doubled over the earlier Scorpio.
Fourth Generation (2017 onwards)
Cosmetically it receives few changes to the front and rear along with newly designed alloy wheels. It’s a good thing that Mahindra has skipped making any major updates on the exteriors or even the interiors, and decided to focus on the drivetrain boosting performance along with drivability that has always been one of this old-school SUVs strengths. While continuing to use the tried and tested 2.2-litre mHawk engine, it now makes 138bhp thanks to a new turbocharger and some reengineering on the fuel pump. Torque is also up to 320Nm, available from 1,500rpm upwards, pulling the Scorpio forward in a very strong and linear fashion. To add to the refinement and improve highway cruising you now get a 6-speed manual transmission that shifts rather well and is mated to a lighter, self-adjusting clutch.
Refinement along with overall fit and finish are the other areas where the new Scorpio has improved over its predecessors. The cabin is rather quiet and very little engine noise makes it’s way below 2,500rpm. The seats and other plastic bits have a better feel to them. The ride quality and handling too have improved thanks to the reworked suspension. But the fact of the matter remains that it is a tall, ladder-on-frame SUV that always has body-roll in corners and an unsettled ride over any kind of road.
NEW GENERATION SCORPIO 2022
Exterior
Though the Scorpio has grown a size larger, it still looks familiar, all thanks to the identical silhouette. That said, Mahindra will be sprucing up the premium factor with new dual-barrel headlights (probably LEDs), new alloy wheels, and LED tail lamps. A closer look at the test mule also revealed dynamic turn indicators like the XUV700.
Interior
The interior of the Scorpio is more upmarket and premium than ever. The layout seems quite straightforward with all controls placed logically. Then there’s the black-chocolate theme that adds to the ambience. Mahindra will also be offering the Scorpio with the captain and bench seats for middle row occupants.
Features
Concerning features on the 2022 Mahindra Scorpio, it is guaranteed to be loaded to the gills. The above spy shot gives a clear image of the large touchscreen unit that the new Scorpio will come equipped with, which looks great. It is expected to get wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay as well. Other features will include dual-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera, wireless charging, rear wiper and defogger, etc. The Scorpio will also get four off-road drive modes – Rock, Snow, Mud and 4H and 4L configurations in the AWD system. Another exciting piece of information is that all the other variants apart from the AWD version will have an RWD(Rear Wheel Drive) system as standard.
Engine
The XUV700’s 200PS 2-litre turbo-petrol and 185PS 2.2-litre diesel engines will make its presence felt in the Scorpio, albeit in a detuned state. A 6-speed manual and optional 6-speed torque converter will be the transmission choices on offer. As standard, the Scorpio will be rear-wheel drive, though select variants will come with a four-wheel drive with a low-range gearbox and off-road modes.
Expected Price & Launch Date
The 2022 Mahindra Scorpio will be launched on the same day as it was released 20 years ago. This means the expected launch date could be around June 2022. The price is likely to start from 10 lakh, which is pretty aggressive. Although it is a more rugged SUV, because of its pricing.
What do you think of the new Scorpio? Let us know in the comment section below and what you feel it should come with.
