A little background on Mahindra and the Scorpio hybrid SUV
We got a close-up look at Mahindra and Mahindra's Scorpio hybrid SUV at the SAE Congress in April. If you're interested in the company and just why and how an Indian hybrid jumped off of the sketchpad and is now poised to enter the U.S. market in 2010, spend some time over at BusinessWorld. Designed by a young rookie engineer back in 1996, the SUV helped rebrand Mahindra and Mahindra into a company that wants to be a major automaker. Automotive News' Lindsay Chappell said bringing the four-cylinder diesel vehicles to the U.S. is a gamble, but there is a "growing curiosity here about small-displacement diesels. There are none here.'' We'll see the first results of how that gamble play out when the non-hybrid conventional 2.2L turbodiesel Scorpio precedes the hybrid in 2009. BusinessWorld says that M&M "expects the Scorpio's fuel-efficient and low-emission engine to win over customers who feel guilty about driving gas-guzzling automobiles, yet want the size and performance of an SUV." Does the Scorpio appeal to you?
Gallery: SAE 2008: Mahindra Scorpio SUV
[Source: BusinessWorld]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dad 6:59PM (6/06/2008)
"Does the Scorpio appeal to you?"
Ugly.
Reply
Kevin Nugent 1:08AM (6/07/2008)
1. "Does the Scorpio appeal to you?"
Ugly.
Yes i agree as well , redesign it and then maybe it will have a more than 0.5 chance of selling well in the us market , that car looks like it shoudl stay in india and with a design like that it should.
Reply
CT-Jake 7:43AM (6/07/2008)
While not the best looking SUV(?), if it gets exceptional mileage and has descent quality, it will sell. Proof of point is the Prius, a fugly thing, yet it sells because of the mileage it gets for some people (urban drivers). I have a '99 Forester that is beginning to show its age and mileage, and I'd certainly give this consideration. Now, if Subaru brought their diesel to the US, I'd jump at the chance to get one.
Reply
jeffzekas 3:11PM (6/07/2008)
My current truck are: '96 Ford Bronco (15 mpg) and '64 Chevy truck (16 mpg). So, yes, I would consider a Mahindra IF the quality is up to western standards (unlike the Indian Enfield, which was junk). In fact, a fellow here in town sells Mahindra tractors, but I've heard nothing, pro or con, about them.
Reply
Kelsey 9:45AM (6/09/2008)
I spent nearly a year in India recently and had the chance to ride in several Scorpios. I'm hoping that North American bound Scorpios get a significant interior redesign and upgrade in materials because currently they are at the same level as a '95 Geo Metro. Maybe a little more attractive but really tacky and cheap feeling with only the most basic of amenities. Should be a fun cheap little truck in many other respects though... if it passes safety tests without adding a ton of weight.
Reply
smoldee 5:44AM (7/03/2008)
I agree with CT Jake! The Scorpio will sell (despite) its look IF it stands up to US standards. Which I think it will since Mahindra is supplying tractors to US since a long time. Also they have cars in the european Markets too.
Reply