The 2009 Mahindra Scorpio –all muscle

The 2009 Mahindra Scorpio is all power and muscle, which is what its makers would like this SUV to be associated with. Its tagline runs thus: “brawn to rule”. This statement makes intentions clear. This model’s aggressive theme is pitched as much against the competition as much as it is in the consumer’s minds. The body bumper, for instance, it says, is designed is “remind you of the armour on a gladiator. They’re toughened, to defend the body. And tailored to demean other cars”. This is just one of the themes the 2009 Mahindra Scorpio has adapted.

The Scorpio is given a few changes here and there, but the most important is the engine itself. The 2.6 CRDe, which powered the vehicle till now, will no longer be available with this vehicle. The new CRDe engine is a top mounted intercooler, intercooled 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, four-stroke turbocharged mHawk diesel, which now carries slightly increased power over the previous versions, at 120 bhp. This engine comes with Scorpio Micro Hybrid technology, which allows the engine to switch to standby mode in situations in which it is not required to rev up. This, Mahindra believes, saves gas. This engine glides on a five-speed manual transmission.

The new features for this year consist of a signature front steel grille that is now more pronounced, multi-focal headlights, new fog lights, new bumpers, embossed side cladding, chunky door handles, footstep that is integrated into the rear bumper, power rear mirrors and a new bonnet scoop.

Other features are the usual ones, like the tyre pressure monitor, which is called by another name, tyre-tronics. An added feature is the intellpark, which is basically a set of sensors installed in the rear bumper of the vehicle. What this does is to warn the driver of the presence of any obstacle in the vehicle’s path when it is in reverse. The absorbers have been upgraded to perform better, too. They now come with five independent links, allowing the vehicle to absorb most ups and downs on the roads.

The 2009 Mahindra Scorpio consists of a set of important elements to give it style and good appearance, although these are not very dramatically different from the previous years’ models. Some of these embellishments are its steel signature wide grille, alloy wheels, air dams and mud flaps and decals.

The 2009 Mahindra Scorpio has a good number of amenities for its interiors. Some of these are middle row sliding seats, centre armrest on second row seats, tiltable steering and heating, air conditioning and ventilation.

Two-tone interiors, power windows, central locking, power steering, rear wash and wipe, rear demister, follow me home headlights, illuminated footboards, illuminated key ring, side step, cruise control and audio control are some of the other conveniences given to the 2009 Mahindra Scorpio.

These go with a long list of accessories that come with this model. One can have roof mounted air conditioner, entertainment systems, rear spoiler, wheel plates, bull bar, baby seat, body cover and a choice of security systems are among these.

The 2009 Mahindra Scorpio has a host of safety features that make travel in it a good ride in most Indian conditions. It comes with a collapsible steering column, which crumples on its own in the case of frontal accidents, thereby taking the impact of the crash off. The body has crumple zones at major points, which again neutralizes the severity of some kinds of crashes. Fire-retardant cushion, tubeless tyres and anti-lock braking system make up some of the other important safety aspects of this vehicle.

This is a vehicle that fits Mahindra’s claim of its being a muscle SUV. It can take the rough with the smooth, and is versatile to conduct itself on most Indian conditions.