The 2020 Mahindra Scorpio has been spotted testing near Chennai for the first time. These camouflaged test-mule images were captured by a Tamil auto publication, Motor Vikatan. The 2020 Mahindra Scorpio has the code name Z101 and is likely to be launched in the second half of 2020.
The vehicle has been completely redesigned to meet upcoming crash test norms and safety standards. The current generation Scorpio had failed a Global NCAP crash test last year. The new one will have to meet Bharat NCAP standards, which kick off in October 2019.
Standard safety features will include airbags and ABS, parking sensors, speed warnings and seat belt reminders. Also being a seven-seater, this Scorpio is likely to come with all forward-facing seats only, even for the third row.
An Autocar India report says that the Scorpio will continue to have a ladder-frame chassis, making it a rugged utility vehicle, but it will become more pedestrian friendly and slighly more aerodynamic.
From the spy shots it’s clear that the new generation Scorpio will be slightly lower in height compared to the current Scorpio, but it will have more cabin space with a seemingly longer wheelbase (and bigger doors).
The rear has been rounded off a bit and is no longer vertical like the current Scorpio. But it will have a similar hinged door design and vertically stacked tail-lamps. The front is likely to retain the Scorpio’s aggressive look with a large bumper and imposing grille. The wheels on the test mule look like the 17-inch ones from the current Scorpio.
There are a few muscular lines that can be spotted. The rear fenders seem to have some XUV500 / XUV300 influence with a kink running into the window-line. Reports on the power-train are just pure speculation as of now, but expect it to come with BS-6 compliant diesel and petrol engine options. Six-speed automatic and manual transmissions are also likely, as is a four-wheel drive option too.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)