Spy Shots: Mahindra TR40 tested in U.S. spec
We really do think that a small, fuel efficient and comparatively inexpensive pickup truck powered by a modern diesel engine is a good thing for the American market... it's just too bad that it has to come in such an ungainly package. While the standard-fare pickup from Mahindra isn't exactly a looker in its base form, the American-spec TR40 seen in these spy shots is arguably even less attractive after its updates.Up front is a front bumper guard that PickupTrucks.com says will be standard here in the States. At the back is a new stamped-steel rear bumper. Both of these updates are reportedly required to meet U.S. regulations. Inside, while the furnishings aren't up to luxury car standards and panel gaps seem rather large, the look isn't necessarily unattractive and this is probably a pre-production model.
Under the hood will be a 2.2-liter diesel engine that should put out somewhere in the neighborhood of 120 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission option is expected to be a six-speed automatic. We're hearing that this powertrain combination should offer 30 mpg, 1.3-tons of payload and 5,000 pounds of towing ability. If those numbers prove accurate and Mahindra is able to come in with an attractive base price, perhaps the styling won't matter. We'll see.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Throwback 4:09PM (9/23/2009)
It is homely, but I think a 20K diesel pickup will sell. Assuming it does not drive like crap, and is reasonably well built.
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Chibi Chaingun - blackhivemedia.com 5:05PM (9/23/2009)
Holy hideous! I went from saying "Diesel? Hmm interested!" to "Eff that."
Way too damn ugly, and I even like really rugged/utilitarian looking trucks. This is just...fail.
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Sam 6:11PM (9/23/2009)
Reminds me of a nissan pickup.
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codogman 6:17PM (9/23/2009)
It is without a doubt one of the ugliest vehicles I have ever seen.
BUT, since no American truck maker is willing to build light diesels, I gotta say I would buy it. 30mpg and can pull 5,000 lbs? Sign me up.
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future-autos.blogspot.com 8:31PM (9/23/2009)
Should be all over the farms here in Kern County once it releases.
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KC 9:34PM (9/23/2009)
Saw these pictures, went and looked at the pictures of the Honda Crosstour to see if it had gotten any better looking by comparison, came back and suddenly realized this trucks not so bad looking.
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jim 9:33AM (9/24/2009)
Don't care about the bumpers, the front one will go for a winch bumper and bull bar with the back and the box gone for a flat bed. Still like the oil burner and the payload.
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Andrewlcox1 10:48AM (9/24/2009)
John McElroy said this one time about the Chevy Malibu I think. He said "it cost just as much to make a good looking car as it does to make an ugly one". So why would they make such an ugly truck? Is it really that hard to design something that looks good? Did they even use a focus panel to rate the looks of the truck?
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Rudi 1:45PM (9/24/2009)
We have these in South Africa. They are crap. Cheap crap. The way you guys work trucks over here they need to be built to last, as the trucks you have.
Our construction company bought 5 of these because of the price and also an eye on fuel economy with the diesels, and the torque we thought they would supply for towing and loading. Of the 5, 3 broke in the first month, 1 cracked head, 1 shifted axle, 1 transmission knackered. Of the remaining 2,1 got wrecked while carrying a load of sand and 1 is still going, incidentally the one still going is used to do the office run to town for supplies.
Some will buy them here but they'll return them soon enough.
I don't understand why the truck makers here in the USA don't do diesels. In South Africa Ford, Mazda, Toyota, Nissan, Opel, Isuzu all of them have diesel offerings. Toyota by far has the best truck in the D4D Diesels for the Hilux. Then again the don't have the V8 trucks, apart from the Nissan Titan, V6's and straight 4 and 6 diesels are at the order of the day.
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Chris M 3:59AM (9/25/2009)
There are several diesel truck models sold in the US from Ford, Dodge, and GM, just not any small diesel trucks, and certainly none that get this kind of fuel economy.
If they are as unreliable as you say, they won't last long both literally and figuratively. Mahindra should look at the failures of other unreliable imports like the Yugo and realize that without good quality control, their business won't last.