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This article was first published 12 years ago

Mahindra Scorpio - the journey so far

Last updated on: July 16, 2012 08:31 IST

Image: Anand Mahindra, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra.
Photographs: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters CarKhabri

Mahindra & Mahindra has come a long way from being a utility vehicle maker to a reigning SUV czar.

Mahindra has two of the India's best selling SUVs in its portfolio, Mahindra Scorpio and Mahindra XUV 500. Mahindra Scorpio has been ruling the roost for a decade now.

The company was grappling to come out of its tractor manufacturer image and venture into the passenger car segment in the later 90s. The evolution of Scorpio commenced in 1997 when the company started contemplating about the product.

During the days when Mahindra was pondering to step into the passenger segment, it had the option of selling products licensed from MNCs, to develop a ten seater vehicle or to develop a new vehicle.

Mahindra chose to develop a new vehicle from scratch; the company faced many challenges during that period but came out a winner when it was finally launched in India.

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Mahindra Scorpio - the journey so far

Image: A worker cleans a logo of Mahindra & Mahindra in Chennai.
Photographs: Babu Babu/Reuters

2002 Mahindra Scorpio

The SUV was developed meticulously by a team of 120 people working on the project. Gradually the SUV was unleashed on June 20, 2002 at a starting price of Rs 5 lakh, however the high end version was priced at Rs 7 lakh.

Customers showered unprecedented love on the SUV; Scorpio roped in 1000 bookings within one week of the launch.

Scorpio got a dream start in the domestic market, not only this but the SUV managed to impress the auto aficionados and was felicitated with the "Car of the Year" award bestowed by CNBC-Autocar, Business Standard Motoring and BBC World Wheels.

One of the highlights of Scorpio was its mighty engine which was designed in conjunction with AVL, Austria.

The 2600cc, DI turbo-intercooled diesel motor was capable to build 109 Bhp of power. Other features that were incorporated in the first generation of Scorpio include power steering, fire resistant upholstery, custom-made rear seats, 4-speaker Kenwood Stereo etc.

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Mahindra Scorpio - the journey so far

Image: Scorpio was armed with a SZ2600 Plus DI powertrain in 2003.
Photographs: Courtesy, CarKhabri

2003 Mahindra Scorpio

Scorpio had yet to undergo many changes; it got better with time, in 2003 Scorpio was armed with a SZ2600 Plus DI powertrain.

The peculiar thing about this motor was it used a chain instead of gears to run the camshaft. It resulted in a quieter, frugal and smoother engine.

Interiors too received a facelift, which now flaunted dual tone fire resistant upholstery and a more powerful 6 vent AC.

Along with these two prominent changes the SUV also received a new rear suspension, crash protection crumple zone, side impact beams.

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Mahindra Scorpio - the journey so far

Image: Scorpio was bestowed with a two tone exterior along with a two tone grey and beige interior in 2004.
Photographs: Courtesy, Riju Kurian

2004 Mahindra Scorpio

Mahindra surprised its customers every year by proffering something new. In 2004, Mahindra Scorpio SLX was spawned fraught with luxury features which again turned tables in Mahindra's favour.

Scorpio was bestowed with a two tone exterior along with a two tone grey and beige interior. The centre console had a matt-wood finish and the SUV also boasted a central locking facility.

The contemporary voice assist system was first of its kind which was seen in an Indian vehicle.

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Tags: Scorpio , Mahindra , SUV , SLX

Mahindra Scorpio - the journey so far

Image: The SUV looked polished with the presence of 16 inch wheels in 2005.
Photographs: Courtesy, CarKhabri

2005 Mahindra Scorpio

Year 2005 saw a mightier Scorpio CRDe which came equipped with a sturdier common-rail direct-injection system. The new engine pumped up Scorpio's power to 115 bhp.

Apart for a powerful engine, the SUV looked polished with the presence of 16 inch wheels.

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Mahindra Scorpio - the journey so far

Image: Car underwent not juts mechanical but major cosmetic changes too in 2006.
Photographs: Courtesy, Riju Kurian

2006 Mahindra Scorpio

Sporting 43 new features the improved Scorpio gave a new definition to the SUV in 2006. The car underwent not juts mechanical but major cosmetic changes too.

The key changes in Scorpio were seen in the form of 5-zone cushion suspension, tower tail lights, sliding middle seat row, sporty bonnet scoop, illuminating rear spoiler, follow me home head lights, theater style interior lighting, tiltable steering and sporty ski racks.

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Tags: Scorpio , SUV , CarKhabri , com

Mahindra Scorpio - the journey so far

Image: A mechanic works at a Mahindra & Mahindra car factory in Nashik.
Photographs: Stringer/Reuters

2007 Mahindra Scorpio

Scorpio mHawk came into light in November 2007; the 2179cc engine pushed significantly high power output of 120 bhp. It enhanced the fuel efficiency of Scorpio SUV.

Along with these changes, the company also introduced ABS, steering mounted audio controls, intelligent rain-sensing wipers, light sensors, tyre-tronics, intellipark etc.

The mHawk variant created a revolution in the SUV segment and became a huge success. June 2007 also witnessed launch of Mahindra Scorpio getaway.

This variant was powered with the115 bhp CRDe engine which was also proffered in 4WD.

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Tags: Scorpio , ABS , SUV , CarKhabri

Mahindra Scorpio - the journey so far

Image: A mechanic works at a Mahindra & Mahindra car factory in Nashik.
Photographs: Adeel Halim/Reuters

2008 Mahindra Scorpio

Automatic variant was inducted in the range of Scorpio SUV in September 2008 which became an instant hit in the urban market. It became the first SUV in its segment to come equipped with a six speed automatic transmission.

This variant was powered by the 120 Bhp, mHawk engine which made Scorpio more refined.

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Mahindra Scorpio - the journey so far

Image: Anand Mahindra inside Scorpio in Nashik.
Photographs: Adeel Halim/Reuters

2009 Mahindra Scorpio

In 2009, Mahindra gave another facelift to the SUV, the exteriors donned some major changes which include the modish broad front grille, new bumper, pull type door handles, new bonnet scoop , refreshed side cladding, integrated footsteps on the rear bumper.

The most preeminent change in Scorpio was the addition of dual airbags and Micro-Hybrid system.

Interiors also got some new features like the new 2-DIN audio system with CD, MP3, SD card and USB drive. All this made Scorpio invincible and it reigned in the SUV segment leaving behind its competition far away.

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Tags: SUV , Mahindra , USB , Scorpio

Mahindra Scorpio - the journey so far

Image: A view of Mahindra & Mahindra's Scorpio in Mumbai.
Photographs: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

Next Mahindra Scorpio

Mahindra & Mahindra without a doubt is a crowd puller, however to keep abreast with the new gen SUVs, the company has decided to give it a complete makeover.

At the research and development department of the company located in Chennai, a bunch of engineers are working day and night on the new Scorpio project which has been codenamed 'W105'.

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