N is for next level

The new Mahindra Scorpio is here, now with an N added to its name. We took it for a drive through the Great Karoo to get a feel for it.

- Cyril Klopper

It is interesting to witness a brand name grow in popularity. Whan Mahindra entered South Africa back in 1996 it wasn’t accompanied with a huge fanfare, although a few of us did take a chance on the then unknown Mahindra Bolero.

Today, however, Mahindra is highly regarded by South Africans and it is currently one of the fastest growing car brands in South Africa. The manufacturer is particularly excited about its latest Scorpio SUV, which now has an added N to the model name. The N stands for to the nth degree – originally a mathematical term indicating something is elevated to a higher level. An apt description of the new Mahindra Scorpio-N.

What do we have here?

The Scorpio-N is completely new, including the chassis, suspension and bodywork. There are four trim levels: the base model Z4 (R465 00); two mid-range models, the Z8 with rear-wheel drive (R510 000) and the Z8 with four-wheel drive (R560 000); and the Z8L flagship model that costs R590 000 and is the one you see here.

Only one engine is currently available in South Africa: an updated 2.2 ℓ mHawk turbodiesel that kicks out 128 kW and 400 Nm – other markets also get a 2 ℓ mStallion petrol engine. Incidentally, the outgoing Scorpio will continue to be sold in India as the Scorpio Classic, alongside the Scorpio-N.

Mahindra says it is the first manufacturer to score five stars with a bakkie-based SUV in the Global NCAP crash test.