Since the last decade and a half, there has been one SUV from Mahindra & Mahindra’s stable that has stood strong in front of any competition thrown at it. With brute force under the hood and a solid chassis, Mahindra Scorpio has been the go-to vehicle for those looking for urban road presence and low-end performance in off-road conditions.
However, the likes of Maruti Suzuki Vitara Breeze and Hyundai Creata are the current rulers of battle-field but while both of these SUVs are focused on offering premium features and a good ground clearance, it’s the package of Mahindra Scorpio that has seen no match in 15 years of its existence. Its biggest appeal is in-fact the rugged, hard-core and old-school SUV built in a world where several crossovers are fighting for some space.
That said, going by the sales numbers, there has been a huge decline in the number of Scorpios leaving the factory and to curb this problem, the 2017 Mahindra Scorpio Facelift has been launched.
For the unknown, the second generation Mahindra Scorpio was launched in 2014 which helped its fan base grow even stronger, as apart from being a rugged SUV, it now offered almost all the features of a comfortable and plush family vehicle.
However, there was still one department where we wanted something more and that was the power output. While there is no denying the fact that the first-gen Mahindra Scorpio indeed looked outdated in the 2000s we can’t also deny that the 2014 update it could have done with some more power.
Well, 2017 Mahindra Scorpio Facelift is all about making amends to its previous failures, to say the least as we now have a new 2.2-litre mHawk engine churning out 140 bhp of peak power.
The much-awaited 2017 Mahindra Scorpio Facelift has been launched in India at a starting price of Rs 9.97 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) while the variant names have also been revised as the SUV will now come in four primary variants i.e. S3, S5, S7, and the top-end S11 variant with 4WD which is priced at Rs 16.01 lakh.
2017 Mahindra Scorpio Facelift and their prices. (All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi)
- S3 (2.5-litre m2DICR 75PS 2WD) at Rs 9.97 lakh
- S5 (2.2-litre mHawk 119PS 2WD) at Rs 11.61 lakh
- S7 (2.2-litre mHawk 119PS 2WD) at Rs 12.69 lakh
- S7 (2.2-litre mHawk 140PS 2WD) at Rs 12.99 lakh
- S11 (2.2-litre mHawk 140PS 2WD) at Rs 14.78 lakh
- S11 (2.2-litre mHawk 140PS 4WD) at Rs 16.01 lakh
The 140 bhp 2.2-litre mHawk engine is mated to an all new 6-speed manual transmission for improved driving dynamics and the 6th generation Borg Warner Turbo Charger for improved low-end torque for city driving. It also offers wide mid-range torque for the quick response on highways.
Buyers can select from 7, 8 & 9 seater combinations while the color options include Napoli Black, D Sat Silver, Molten Red, Pearl White (only S11) and Diamond White (Except S11).
While the 120PS engine develops 280 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, the 2.2-litre 140PS engine churns out 320 Nm of peak torque. Mahindra also claims that the NVH levels have also been improved in the 2017 Mahindra Scorpio Facelift which comes with 9.1 Bosch ABS.
Some noticeable cosmetic updates and a host of new feature additions to the cabin can also be seen in the 2017 Mahindra Scorpio facelift, making it a proper facelift rather than just a marketing strategy.
- Gets a new Jeep Compass-inspired grille with seven slats along with a redesigned front bumper
- The indicators have now moved from the front fenders to the outside rear view mirrors (ORVMs)
- New set of muscular five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels
- A new faux leather upholstery
- New sleek red lens LED tail lamps, redesigned footstep and skid plate
- Updated upper and lower grille mesh design and air extractors
Sadly, the 2017 Mahindra Scorpio facelift has retained the 6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, despite the likes of XUV500 and TUV300 featuring a bigger 7-inch system. While rear parking camera support is now available with the touchscreen unit, the Android Auto functionality has been ignored, once again. Micro-hybrid technology, rain-sensing wiper, tyre pressure monitoring system, cruise control, automatic climate control and automatic headlamps are carried forward from the previous model.
In terms of dimensions, the 2017 Mahindra Scorpio facelift remains unchanged with measurements of 4456 mm x 1820 mm x 1995 mm, a wheelbase of 2,680 mm and ground clearance of 181mm.
Safety Features in the 2017 Mahindra Scorpio facelift include Dual Airbags (Passenger + Driver), Panic brake indication, ABS, Collapsible steering column & side intrusion beams, Engine Immobilizer, Seatbelt reminder lamp, Anti-theft warning, Auto door lock while driving and Speed alert.
With the addition of a new engine, 6-speed transmission, and some cosmetic changes, the 2017 Mahindra Scorpio facelift is well-equipped and is more powerful than ever. While its biggest rival remains the Tata Safari Storme, it also competes with 5-seater SUVs (crossovers) like the Renault Duster, Captur, and Hyundai Creta.