More details on the Mahindra Scorpio-N – a body-on-frame, mid-sized 4×4 from India – have been revealed ahead of its expected arrival in Australia.
The company has revealed the interior of its new SUV, which will be sold alongside the old Scorpio in its home market of India.
Notably, the new Scorpio-N’s cabin promises to be much less utilitarian than that of its predecessor. CarExpert understands that, unlike the old Scorpio, the new Scorpio-N will also likely come to Australia.
Mahindra says it’ll launch the Scorpio-N in India on June 27, 2022. We’re awaiting more specific local timing.
There’s a much more modern appearance to the new SUV’s interior, with a more stylised centre stack that bears a passing resemblance to that of a Renault Koleos.
There’s metal-look trim on either side of the centre stack and on the doors to brighten up the interior.
On the centre console, there’s a traditional gear shifter and handbrake, along with a rotary dial for controlling the four-wheel drive system.
There are second-row captain’s chairs, plus a forward-facing third-row; the outgoing Scorpio has been offered with unusual side-mounted rear seats.
The images appear to depict an up-spec Scorpio-N, judging by the two-tone black and brown interior colour scheme with what appears to be leather upholstery, as well as a Sony 3D surround sound system.
The infotainment appears to be a significant step up from the old Scorpio, and runs Mahindra’s ‘ArdenoX’ system with crisp, modern graphics.
According to a leaked owner’s manual shared by Autocar India, the Scorpio-N will measure 4662mm long, 1917mm wide and 1870mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase.
That puts it between the old 4.5m-long Suzuki Grand Vitara and ute-based SUVs like the 4.8m-long Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in size.
There’s essentially nothing around this size in Australia with body-on-frame construction, which is typically preferred for rugged off-roaders like the Suzuki Jimny and Jeep Wrangler. Even Great Wall Motor’s upcoming Tank 300, also expected to come here, is longer.
Features detailed in the manual include dual-zone climate control, front and rear cameras, automatic stop/start, push-button start, and USB-C outlets for the first and second rows.
Previous reports have indicated there’ll also be wireless phone charging and a surround-view camera.
The Scorpio-N will reportedly offer a choice of two different instrument cluster layouts with two different sizes of information screen, while the touchscreen reportedly measures 8.0 inches.
The Scorpio-N will reportedly be offered with Mahindra’s new 4 XPLOR four-wheel drive system, which features selectable low-range and different terrain modes.
The new SUV debuts a new body-on-frame platform, and will offer a choice of petrol or diesel engines, manual and automatic transmissions, and the option of four-wheel drive.
While Mahindra hasn’t released specifications for these engines, Indian media reports the Scorpio-N will be offered with a choice of 2.0-litre ‘mStallion’ turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre ‘mHawk’ turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines.
In the bigger new XUV700, the petrol produces 147kW of power and 380Nm of torque while the diesel produces 114kW and either 420Nm (with a six-speed manual) or 450Nm (with a six-speed auto).
Mahindra Scorpio 
The Scorpio-N is the first new Scorpio in 20 years, and offers a more rugged package than the outgoing, unibody XUV500 and its XUV700 replacement – the latter has been confirmed for an Australian launch in the second half of this year.
It hasn’t abandoned the chunky looks of the outgoing Scorpio, however.
There’s what appears to be LED lighting up front and elegant touches like a chromed beltline, which kicks up at the C-pillar to stop the Scorpio-N from appearing too boxy.
In contrast, the outgoing Scorpio features a boxy shape mashed with rounded lines, from its curvy belt line; pronounced, rounded wheel arches; and its blistered, B-shaped tail lights.
XUV700 
Pik-Up
The outgoing Scorpio and Pik-Up share a platform, which could mean Mahindra has a new-generation ute in the works.
Though the only Mahindra SUV sold in Australia thus far has been the XUV500, the company offers a wide range of SUVs in its home market.
This includes the boxy Bolero and Bolero Neo, plus the SsangYong Tivoli-based XUV300 and the SsangYong Rexton-based Alturas.
The company has previously expressed interest in introducing its rugged Thar to Australia, an off-roader with a cult following in India that bears more than a passing resemblance to a Jeep Wrangler.
Legal action from Jeep has thus far scuppered those plans, and Mahindra needs to provide FCA Australia with 90 days’ notice if it plans to bring the Thar to Australia in the future.
The new model is built on a new body-on-frame chassis with double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link solid rear axle with coils and dampers.
It has a locking rear diff, a transfer case with low-range gearing, 226m of ground clearance, a 650mm wading depth, and a fearsome 42 degree approach angle. The break over angle is up to 27 degrees.
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