Mahindra Scorpio

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Mahindra Scorpio

Manufacturer Mahindra and Mahindra Limited
Also called Mahindra Goa (in Europe)
Production 2002–present
Class Sport utility vehicle
Body style(s) 4-door station wagon
Engine(s) 2.6 L 115bhp common rail turbodiesel I4 / 2.0 L 116bhp petrol
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual / optional 4-wheel drive


The Mahindra Scorpio (sold in some European countries as the Goa) is an SUV made by automotive division of India's Mahindra and Mahindra Limited. It is the first SUV made by the company for the global market and has been manufactured from Mahindra & Mahindra (M & M), one of India’s foremost automobile manufacturing companies, with group sales of more than $3.0 billion (US). The Scorpio has been successfully accepted in international markets where it has been recently launched.

The Scorpio has been conceptualized and designed by the M & M in-house integrated design and manufacturing (IDAM) team, incorporating the most contemporary styling, design and technology. The Scorpio has been the proud recipient of three prestigious awards - the "Car of the Year" award from Business Standard Motoring, the "Best Car of the Year" by BBC on Wheels and the "Best Car of the Year" award, again, from BBC on Wheels[citation needed].

[edit] The making of Mahindra Scorpio

Prior to the mid-nineties, M & M was an automobile assembly plant. The company used to manufacture Willys Jeeps and its minor modified versions (modifications carried out in India). In 1996, the company planned to enter the SUV segment with an all new product which can compete even in foreign markets. Since M & M didn't have the know-how of making a new age product, they devised a whole new concept among Indian auto companies. For their growth, the company roped in new executives such as Dr. Pawan Goenka and Alan Durante who have worked in this industry in western countries.

The company broke the rule that says automakers must design, engineer and test their own vehicles spending millions of dollars in the process. The new Mahindra Scorpio SUV had all of its major systems designed directly by suppliers with the only input from Mahindra being design, performance specifications and program cost. Design and engineering of systems was done by suppliers, as was testing, validation and materials selection. Sourcing and engineering locations were also chosen by suppliers. The parts were later to be assembled in a Mahindra plant under the badge of Mahindra (as Mahindra is a well known brand among Indian in the MUV segment). The company built a brand-new vehicle with virtually 100 percent supplier involvement from concept to reality for $120 million, including improvements to the plant. The product took 5 years to materialise from a concept to the final product.

In April 2006, the company launched an upgraded Scorpio – dubbing it the 'All-New' Scorpio. The car has 43 new features, most of which are aesthetic including new front bumpers, a new tail-light cluster and an air-scoop on the bonnet. Yet, there are some crucial engineering changes as well, including a new rear suspension which was jointly developed with Lotus in the UK.

The Mahindra Scorpio is sold across the world in countries such as:

In Western Europe, so as not to confuse the vehicle with a previous Ford vehicle of the same name, it is called the Mahindra Goa.

[edit] Future

Soon after the success of the Scorpio, Mahindra launched an upgraded Scorpio with plush seats and rear centre arm rest, dual tone exterior colour and various minor changes.

In 2006 Mahindra launched the new Scorpio with the same powerplant but with cosmetic changes to the interiors and exteriors. Also the suspension was improved to prevent the previous jittery feel during cornering at high speeds. The hood was given an air scoop for aesthetic purposes only.

At Auto Expo 2006, Delhi, Mahindra showcased their future plans on the Scorpio model by showcasing a Hybrid Scorpio with CRDe engine and a Scorpio based on a pick-up truck. The Hybrid, the first such vehicle developed in India was developed by Arun Jaura, a former Ford employee. His senior, Dr. Pawan Goenka, a former GM engineer currently heads Mahindra's automotive division and looks after the overall Scorpio project.

Mahindra also plans on exporting to the United States in the near future, possibly with a diesel-electric hybrid.[1]

M&M today, 30th Nov 2007, launched a teaser campaign for the new model of Scorpio named m_Hawk on their official - website.

On April 14th, 2008, Mahindra revealed a concept of a diesel-electric hybrid version of their Scorpio SUV at the 2008 SAE World Congress. [2]

[edit] External links