Upcoming Mahindra SUVs
Details on Mahindra’s new and improved Scorpio and XUV500
There is little to doubt that the XUV500 and the Scorpio are the biggest weapons in Mahindra's armour. However these vehicles had started showing their age and needed a proper update. Mahindra for the past few years has been working hard on reinventing the two SUVs. Now though the SUVs are near production ready and the test mules can be seen flaunting the final design. So let's take the SUVs one by one and tell you what to expect.
Let's begin with the Scorpio which we saw alongside the XUV500. The Scorpio to begin with will continue to be based on a ladder frame chassis. The same though will be completely revamped. The exterior design is also going to be brand new and every panel will be new. The front end design looks even more imposing and will come with Mahindra's signature slatted grille. The headlights will feature modern technology and also come with LED DRLs. In profile the new Scorpio looks even bigger than before. The wheelbase seems larger and the ground clearance
too will be more than the current generation Scorpio. Expect a lot of plastic cladding all around as well. The rear end also gets a proper redesign and comes with a spoiler as well.
The interiors of the Scorpio will also see a major redesign. The Marazzo will play a major role in the new Scorpio. We expect the touchscreen, controls and steering wheel to all come from the MPV. The textures will also see a premium touch. The biggest change in the Scorpio though will be the seating. We expect three-row seating and all front facing. Overall the new Scorpio will become a lot more matured as compared to the existing SUV.
The engine in question could also be a new 2.0-litre diesel as compared to the existing 2.2-litre mHawk diesel. However the new engine will offer more power and torque as well. We also expect Mahindra to offer the Scorpio in petrol guise looking at current market scenarios.
The Mahindra XUV500 codenamed the W601 also gets a major overhaul. The front end design is brand new and the headlights have become sleeker than before. We expect a XUV300 like LED DRL signature and full LED headlights in top variants. The slats on the grille remain but it has gotten a bit smaller. The air dam below adds to the sporty appeal of the XUV500. The profile reveals even bigger changes. The wedge
THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN THE SCORPIO THOUGH WILL BE THE SEATING. WE EXPECT THREE-ROW SEATING AND ALL FRONT FACING WITH CONSIDERABLE SPACE IN ALL THREE ROWS
shaped fenders are now gone and in comes new flared ones which gel well with the overall design. The door handles are flush-fitting units and the large glass panels promise a bright and airy cabin. The tail lights are new and so is the tail gate. The design is kept simple yet sporty. The overall dimensions of the XUV500 also seem a bit larger than the current model and this is especially the case with the wheelbase. However we cannot confirm the same at the moment.
The interiors of the XUV500 also see a major revamp. We expect Mahindra to offer the SUV with more premium feel within. Things like a soft touch dash are sure to come. We also expect a large touch screen infotainment system which will offer a plethora of connectivity features. The instrument panel will be brand new and a full digital unit. This will mean that the displays could change according to the driving modes which might come with the new generation model.
Another feature to make an introduction should be a panoramic sunroof.
The XUV500 currently uses a 153bhp 2.2litre diesel. The same motor is expected to make a comeback with the new generation model. However we expect Mahindra to now offer the XUV500 with a 2.0-litre petrol as well. Needless to say, both engines will comply with BS6 norms. The XUV will also come with automatic transmission along with the manual option.