All-new, 2020 Mahindra Scorpio SUV SPIED testing on Indian roads

Mahindra has begun testing the all-new, 2020 Scorpio SUV on Indian roads ahead of its official launch sometime next year. The spy shots reveal that the new Scorpio will sit slightly lower than the current model but will be longer than the outgoing version. The new Scorpio will move a generation ahead and will use a brand new ladder frame architecture. The platform of the vehicle will also be new and will be shared with a range of upcoming utility vehicles and SUVs from Mahindra including the all-new Thar. The all-new Scorpio will continue to be a seven seat SUV but is likely to become more spacious with better leg room for the second and third rows of passengers. The SUV is expected to ditch the side seat layout for the final row and instead opt for front facing seats.

As for mechanicals, there will be a full revamp as well. The 2020 Scorpio will have to meet the upcoming Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) will norms from April 2020, and will also have to be prepared for new norms under the real time driving emission (RDE) regime that will come into effect from 2022-23. These requirements will require the SUV to use new engines. Mahindra has developed a brand new, 2 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged diesel engine for use in the new Scorpio, Thar and XUV500. This engine is expected to be more powerful than the 2.2 liter mHawk diesel, and more fuel efficient as well. It will be BS6 norms compliant, and is expected to make about 160 Bhp-400 Nm on the new Scorpio.

What this also means is, the 2020 Mahindra Scorpio will be the most powerful version of the SUV ever built and sold in India. Mahindra is also expected to build a new pick-up truck based on the all-new Scorpio. It’s expected to replace the Getaway. The all-new Scorpio is also expected to be offered with a BS6 compliant petrol engine. On whether it will be the BS6 compliant 2.2 liter mHawk turbo petrol engine already available on the XUV500 or a brand new, 2 liter turbo petrol engine remains to be seen. We expect the new Scorpio to be at least Rs. 2 lakh pricier than the outgoing model thanks to the new platform, new engines, additional emission compliance equipment and additional features.

The Scorpio, first introduced in 2002, has been one of Mahindra’s best selling vehicles. To this day, the Scorpio manages 4,000 units, and the Scorpio brand is very strong both in urban and rural markets. In fact, a large chunk of the Scorpio sales comes from the S3 trim, which uses a 2.5 liter M2CRDE turbocharged engine with only 75 Bhp-200 Nm on tap. This cut price version sells very well in rural and semi-urban India. Even cab operators opt for this variant in cities, and the continued strength of the Scorpio’s sales is due to this. It remains to be seen if Mahindra will continue to offer a cut price version of the all-new, 2020 Scorpio.

Via MotorVikatan