A Tale of Two Scorpios: Extra Gear, Better Power, Same Package

We compare the new 6-speed 2017 Mahindra Scorpio with the older 2015 5-speed Scorpio. Is it really an upgrade?

Mahindra has added 20 more bhp and 40 Nm more torque, along with a 6-speed gearbox to the 2017 Mahindra Scorpio (right). 

(Photo: The Quint) 

Mahindra has updated the Scorpio and added more power, torque and features. However, the cosmetic changes feel a bit like overkill. So just how good is the 2017 Mahindra Scorpio S11 2WD compared to the 2015 Mahindra Scorpio S10 4WD? We compare the two Scorpios.

In terms of design, it’s a mixed bag. The older grille actually looks better than the Jeep-inspired 7-slat new grille. Round fog lamps with chrome bezels somehow don’t fit in with the design theme, unlike the older trapezoidal ones.

The alloy wheels have been redesigned – again, I think the older design was better. You still don’t get disc brakes at the rear. Indicators have moved from the fender to the rear-view mirrors, which is a good thing.

The tail-lamps have been changed from clear LED units on the older Scorpio to red-coloured ones in the new one. The rear bumper has been redesigned with a protruding step. The rear door too has been tweaked to accommodate a sleeker rear wiper. It now gets only 2 parking sensors instead of four, but a reverse camera is standard fitment on this S11 variant.

One thing is clear, when you are driving the new Scorpio, you can really feel the difference in power compared to the older 120 bhp Scorpio. The 140 horses in the Scorpio S11 make themselves felt when you are out on the highway. And when you are in 6th gear at 100 kmph, this one is travelling only at 2,000 rpm, whereas in the older Scorpio, in 5th gear you would be doing 2,500 rpm. That will make a big difference to fuel efficiency in the long run.

The 320 Nm of torque too makes itself felt, because it picks up faster than the older one. The gearbox on the new Scorpio has a more rubbery feel to it and doesn’t slot in as slickly as the older one. Also, there are more vibrations felt in the 6-speed gearbox's gear lever compared to the older one. Slotting into reverse needs quite some effort, as there is no reverse lock, like in the case of the XUV500. High-speed stability is quite average, there is no change there. It feels more relaxed now. The clutch is lighter and the brakes are sharper.

The interiors are the same as the older Scorpio, except for a sunglasses holder and black leather upholstery on the S11. The infotainment system is carried over, with no change.

I would think this was a missed opportunity for Mahindra. Some features such as Android Auto are still not available. Rear disc brakes are still not available and push-button ignition too could have been added.

So is the new 2017 Mahindra Scorpio, priced at Rs 14.79 lakh for the S11 2WD and Rs 16.01 lakh ex-showroom for the S11 4WD variant worth it? For the long-term fuel efficiency gains, it just might be.

Video Editor: Puneet Bhatia

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