M&M launches new Scorpio starting at Rs 7.98 lakh; to take on Duster & Safari Storme - The Economic Times

MUMBAI: Mahindra & Mahindra, India's largest selling utility vehicle maker, has launched an-all new Scorpio at Rs7.98 lakh toRs11.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). Built on an all-new generation (ladder on frame architecture) platform, the Scorpio in its new avatar not only retains its off-road capability, but has tried to make the drive plusher to give it a car-like comfort, with the aim of taking on the likes of Renault Dusterand Ford EcoSport. In its 4-generatio n, M&M has developed the new Scorpio with an investment of Rs150 crore, with over 100 engineers working on the project for over 3-4 years. The company has separately spent Rs100 crore on the platform to churn out more offsprings in the future, one of them being the U301, which will hit the market in 2015. 

Pawan Goenka, ED and president of the automotive division at Mahindra & Mahindra, said, "This is the continuing evolution of Scorpio. A lot of effort has gone into it, and we have looked at every part of the vehicle, ensuring that we are giving the best that's possible in this segment. Therefore, the interior, the chassis, the features, exterior — all of it is adding up. It is a new leaf in the exciting history of the Scorpio brand." 

Since its launch in 2002, over 4,50,000 Scorpios have been sold across India, and 74,000 units in global markets. M&M averages about 4,000 to 4,200 units a month and it touched a record high in FY13. With the new Scorpio and improving sentiment, M&M hopes to raise its monthly volumes further. 

M&M claims that the new Scorpio delivers 5-6% more fuel efficiency than its predecessors, best-in-class turning radius, and the SUV has been built on a new chassis, new transmission and gearbox, softer suspension and a re-tuned 2.2 litre Mhawk engine, which will deliver enhanced ride, handling and driving dynamics. This is apart from the new exterior and interior styling, with a new firstin-segment features. 

Hormazd Sorabjee, editor, Autocar India, agrees, saying that Scorpio is a brand that transformed Mahindra from a rural to a mainstream automaker. But the future depends on how proactively the company reacts to competition. 

"The new Scorpio is a big improvement for M&M, and it will do well, but there is a tidal wave of SUVs coming to India. Mahindra needs to fast-track product lifecycles to keep pace with competition," Sorabjee added.