Mahindra's new truck searching for new name
Considering how slow change tends to come in the compact truck market, perhaps the domestic automakers should feel a mild quaking in their collective boots over the impending arrival of Mahindra's new diesel-powered pickup. We can at least be sure that one of the Big 3 are wondering just how good the new Indian vehicle will be, enough to bring one over here for testing. Unfortunately, we don't have any driving impressions to share, but those should be coming soon enough. What we do know, though, is that the upcoming product will not be known as the Appalachian, which is what we've all been referring to it as until now. According to PickupTrucks.com, Mahindra is very well aware that its name is unknown in the U.S. market, so it feels the need to highlight that moniker as opposed to a model name. The aforementioned 2.2 liter diesel engine powering Mahindra's truck was developed with assistance from Bosch and AVL. We expect about 150 horsepower, though the 300 lb. ft. of torque is the much more important figure. Paired with a standard six speed automatic transmission, the new kid on the block is looking mighty interesting.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sai sankar 4:46PM (6/15/2008)
Though it might look very interesting from an environmental/MPG perspective, having driven a few of these in Southern Africa, I can tell you that the rest of the truck isnt great. Rough transmission,badly tuned engine and bad torsional deflection in the chassis. They will have to really do some serious work for American consumers to take them seriously.
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GenWaylaid 10:44PM (6/16/2008)
Not to mention the ten year old styling that would make Pontiac cringe.
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tark 1:10AM (6/17/2008)
cheap (low 20s),30 mpg-300ft torque, 60k warranty. This construction worker doesn't give a rat's a about style.
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andrew p 10:09AM (6/22/2008)
except that the new truck has a new engine, new transmission, and a suspension tuned by lotus...that might count for something....don't really know but if you did your research...
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mike 4:57PM (9/18/2008)
If they made a nock off of a 1983 toyota hilux, i would definately be interested. I dont like the heavy, over optioned, gas gusseling slush buckets currently passed off as small trucks in the us.
Give me a straight axle, lockouts, manually shifted transfer case, and a 5 speed gearbox.
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