New heights for Mahindra

Mahindra's latest utilitarian 4x4 SUV showcases what lies beyond the horizon for the Indian firm trying to establish its new identity.

- Ryan de Villiers

When the Mahindra brand arrived in South Africa, its offerings were seen as less savoury options than those of the firm’s competitors. Now, these products are held in higher regard thanks to the impressive XUV700 and the recently unveiled Mahindra Scorpio N.

The latter ushers in a new era for the Indian firm, with its workhouse roots now far less apparent than before. The first demonstration of the Scorpio’s abilities took place in Port Owen, where the Indian SUV’s on and off-road skills were put to the test, from a leisurely drive along tarred roads to stretches battling unforgiving mountainous terrain.

The Mahindra Scorpio N comes in three distinct diesel-powered variants: the Z4, Z8 and Z8L. The ZA4 is priced at R465 000 while the Z8 is offered in a 4x2 rear-wheeldrive) configuration priced at R510 000, or R560 000 for the 4x4 configuration. The range-topping Z8L is priced at R590 000.