MAHINDRA SCORPIO-N DIESEL AT 2WD REVIEW

I got to test the Mahindra Scorpio-N quite late in the day—two and a half years after its first media drive, to be precise.

- SYED SHIRAZ SHAH

But I am not complaining. I can still promise you that just like my other reviews, even in this one you will learn a few things about the vehicle, which you haven't all this while, even if you own a Scorpio-N...

DESIGN & PRESENCE

Let's face it-the majority of Indians buy a Scorpio, any Scorpio for that matter, because of its "don't mess with me" aura.

If you are that kind of person, then I am happy to report that the Scorpio-N has loads of it.

There is absolutely nothing on the roads at the moment, except for the Defender, Gurkha, and Fortuner, that can challenge the Scorpio-N in not only the road presence stakes, but also in the high seating department. You can easily shake hands with the bus driver coming from the opposite side as a thank you gesture for stopping and letting you pass. I did just that while going back after dropping the Mahindra driver to the nearest metro station.

My cousin, who owns one (the N, not the bus or metro), corroborates. He lives in a perennially crowded area, and says that taking the huge Scorpio-Nout is easier than his VW Polo. How? People and most other forms of traffic do give way. Plus, the commanding seating position and generous glass area facilitate excellent allaround visibility that makes driving this Mahindra a cinch even in chaotic traffic conditions.

The design also helps. The Scorpio-N is as handsome as a brick, and you can't really argue with a brick.

So you move out of its way.

Please note that it's not ugly by any stretch of imagination, but it's not something that will make heads turn either. And that's okay because why crave for adulation from strangers when you can instill fear in them, right? No, it's wrong, but like they say, "while in Rome..."

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