Mahindra Scorpio

The Mahindra Scorpio N has a longer wheelbase. The new version ditches the raw appeal or aesthetic of the earlier version for a more refined appearance. However, it still looks chunky, muscular, and more premium simultaneously. The new Scorpio N looks and feels premium without compromising on its muscle. There is a vertical-slat front grille with added chrome and character lines on the bonnet.

There is no hood scoop while there are new twin-projector LEDs for headlamps and LED DRLs that are C-shaped. There are sizable 17 or 18 inch wheels with big 255-section tyres. There is a smart chrome touch covering the base of the SUV’s A-Pillar to the top of the car’s C-Pillar. The rear has LED tail lights which are vertically stacked and this makes it look quite like a Volvo model. The rear design is completely unique. The side opening door comes from the earlier generation model while it now has bench seats in the third row and not jump seats.

The Mahindra Scorpio N comes with a 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine in two tune states for the entry-level Z2 variant, and the Z4 and upper variants respectively. There are three driving modes on offer for this engine, namely Zap, Zip, and Zoom. There is also an mStallion 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine. The Scorpio N HAS 6-speed automatic torque converter and manual transmission choices for both its engines. There is also a 4x4 variant only available with the diesel engine. The petrol engine feels refined and powerful anywhere in the band. In fact, you feel empowered with all this power and acceleration on tap. Turbo lag is managed very well while there is a smooth shifting gearbox (torque converter-automatic). The manual transmission system also works fine. The diesel engine functions well in both tune states. There is that same sense of having sufficient power on tap, although the base variant may feel slightly unexciting (but only slightly). However, all these engines have sizable torque for that extra punch and grunt. The refinement levels have gone up tremendously and you can literally power through the traffic or on the highway with elan.

Mileage is around 11.67 kmpl in the city and 14 kmpl on the highway.

The Mahindra Scorpio N offers a better driving and handling experience than the earlier model. The SUV no longer has the same amount of body roll. Mahindra has worked extensively on the same and once you push the car harder, in spite of its ladder-frame construction, the Scorpio N does not quite have the rolling-around effect of the earlier version. This version feels more in control of things although this has led to a few compromises with the overall ride quality. This results from a stiffer suspension. Yet, you get more stability and better driving manners this time around and that is a big improvement by all means.