Pikup Pumped

LOCALLY TESTED MAHINDRA PIKUP TO SHAKE-UP BUDGET-PRICED 4X4 SEGMENT.

- Justin Walker

MAHINDRA Automotive Australia Pty Ltd (MAAPL) has launched the next generation of its venerable PikUp, with a raft of updates including a new six-speed transmission, more grunt from its 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, and revised interior and exterior styling.

This new model’s release marks 10 years of the firstgen PikUp, which lobbed Down Under back in 2007 and has proven popular with buyers looking for a cheap, basic and tough workhorse. Globally, the PikUp and its Scorpio wagon sibling have sold more than 500,000 units.

According to Joydeep Moitra, head of international operations at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, the new PikUp has been subject to extensive testing in Australia, as well as feedback from the local distributors.

“For the new Mahindra PikUp, a six-month test schedule was carried out in Australia and concluded in August 2017, clocking up over 80,000 local kilometres,” Moitra said. “This input has helped create a Mahindra PikUp perfect for local conditions. This is a testimony of our commitment to developing products for the Australian market.”