Mahindra's new Scorpio Pik-Up (their spelling - not ours) comes in single and double-cab formats in two and all-wheel drive, and has (according to the maker) the biggest one-ton load box on the South African market.
Motivation for all four variants comes from a 2498cc intercooled, turbocharged diesel engine developed in collaboration with Austrian engine designer AVL, for which Mahindra quotes 74kW at 3800rpm and 245Nm at 1800rpm.
"Globalisation is the new Mahindra mantra," said managing director Anand Mahindra, "and the company wants to be a global niche player.
"South Africa is a strategic market for us; our commitment to this country can be seen through the global launch of the Scorpio Pik-Up here."
Mahindra SA chief executive Vijay Nakra added: "We are a full-fledged organisation operating in South Africa; our goal is to be a household name in this country by providing value for money products catering to local needs.
"We have thoroughly tested the Scorpio Pik-Up in South Africa to ensure it will deliver on the expectations of local customers.
"The Pik-Up is the result of more than a million kilometres of development on the Scorpio platform.
"We tied in with international auto-industry suppliers at an early stage for concurrent development, including Lear, Visteon, Dana and Borg Warner in the US, Bosch and Behr in Germany, Fuji in Japan and French component supplier Sylea.
"In this sense the Scorpio Pik-Up is a true world product, manufactured to international standards."
Design and features
The Scorpio Pik-Up is a big vehicle - 5098mm long, 1770mm wide and 1860mm wide; the 4x4 models boast 200mm of ground clearance.
The single-cab has a 1.725-cubic metre double-skinned loadbox, with a 1.125-cubic metre cargo bay on the double-cab model.
There are ample storage spaces in the cabin; standard features include power steering, adjustable steering column, air-conditioning, power windows, CD-player and remote central locking with an alarm and immobiliser.
Running gear
The Pik-Up has rack-and-pinion steering with a 12.8m turning circle. Braking is by ventilated discs in front and drums at the rear.
The independent front suspension is entrusted to a torsion bar and anti-roll bar while the rear suspension uses progressive leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers.
All models have five-speed manual gearboxes; the 4x4 also has a low range transfer case operated by a switch on the fascia.
Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up prices:
2.5TD single-cab 4x2 - R139 900
2.5TD single-cab 4x4 - R180 000
2.5TDl double-cab 4x2 - R170 000
2.5TD double-cab 4 x 4 - R205 000
- All new Scorpio bakies will be sold with a three-year or 100 000km warranty and the option of a three-year/60 000km or three-year/100 000km service plan for R7 400 and R10 000 respectively.