1. PICK-UP OF THE YEAR
Nominees: a) Isuzu D-Max S-Cab. b) Mahindra Imperio.
The pick-up truck market is growing. It is attracting the attention of global players. Assuming different dimensions in a bid to address the changing requirements of its operators, pick-up trucks are coming to cater to a well-informed clientele. Making up the one-tonne to 3.5-tonne CV category, they are about fuel economy, payload, speed and price. Found in a single cab, dual cab, rear-wheel drive, and 4x4 guise, pick-up trucks are about business and pleasure. Conforming to owner-operator model, pick-ups, promising faster turnaround, are turning out to be true workhorses. The Mahindra Imperio is no exception. It builds upon its manufacturer’s experience in building dandy pick-up trucks spanning several decades. With a 2990 kg GVW, the Imperio rides on 225/75 R16 tyres; has a 211 ground clearance, and is powered by a 2.5-litre common-rail turbo-diesel engine that produces 75 hp of peak power and 220 Nm of peak torque. The pick-up truck features engine immobiliser, fuelsmart technology, adjustable power steering and an independent front suspension. It is also available in a dual-cab variant.