Mahindra’s upcoming new dual-cab ute which will share its platform and tech with the Scorpio off-road SUV won’t necessarily kill off the fan-favourite Pik Up.
This is according to the Indian giant’s global head of automotive, Veejay Nakra, who says there’s a good chance the new ute and the old one will live side-by-side, particularly as the new one is likely to come at a higher price-point.
“I think we’ll see, going forward, there could be a mix, we can have one and the other at different price-points, we’ll make those calls as we go along depending on what the definition of a ‘pick-up’ is,” he said.
Speaking to CarsGuide earlier in the year, Nakra also confirmed the new ute was much more targeted at the likes of the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
“I wouldn’t want to give away the entire product plan, but yes. The aspiration is to be a mainstream SUV and ute player in Australia, so therefore definitely we are working in that direction,” he said.
The current Pik Up wears a price-tag of $37,990 drive-away and is powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 103kW/320Nm. While it has had a presence in Australia since 2007, the Pik Up has been marred by a two- or later, three-star ANCAP safety rating, agricultural dynamics, and a spec-sheet which falls short of its increasingly luxurious mainstream rivals. Nevertheless, it has a cult following as a tough-to-kill paddock-basher for rural use, and was recently updated in 2021 to include a more modern multimedia suite.
Nakras comments also confirm a higher starting price for what is expected to be called the Scorpio ute, with its SUV relation launching earlier in 2023 with a keen starting price of $41,990 drive-away. It is powered by a newer 2.2-litre diesel engine, producing 129kW/400Nm, channelling power to all four wheels via a six-speed Aisin automatic transmission. Of course, it also leaves the door open for a more cut-price Pik Up to suit its niche buyer, one which places far more emphasis on work use than recreation.
The new ute will have its work cut out for it, facing off against other increasingly popular low-cost players like the GWM ute, LDV T60, and SsangYong Musso, although Mahindra is promising significant local development to imbue it with “Australian DNA”.
One thing is for sure: Mahindra will continue to offer Australians the choice of diesel, as the brand hasn’t got plans to go hybrid or fully electric when it comes to pick-up trucks any time soon.
As Nakra says: “It’s an ICE-based global pick-up. We can evaluate all sorts of powertrains going forward, but it will start with diesel.”
On the topic of rugged vehicles, the Indian brand’s most storied model, the Thar off-roader, a Jeep Wrangler look alike with a Suzuki Jimny price-tag, has also been flagged as a possibility for Australia as far out as 2025. The Thar traces its history back to 1947, where Willys Jeeps were assembled under licence as part of a budding automotive industry in India. The Jeep has continued to be produced under various names by Mahindra since then, and has about as thorough a history with the model as Jeep itself.
Nakra declined to comment on the Thar for the time being as it is currently under a legal agreement locally with Jeep owner Stellantis. As part of the deal, Mahindra must seek approval for styling changes and give 90 days notice prior to any intended on-sale date in Australia.
Mahindra continues to take advantage of seemingly ever-increasing prices from Australia’s mainstream automakers and ongoing supply issues throughout the industry by launching a wave of new-generation products.
They include the XUV700 – now Australia’s most affordable seven-seat SUV – and the Scorpio off-roader which will be joined by the ute in the near future, while the brand even has a view to enter the electric car market with its upcoming BE sub-brand.
Keyword: Mahindra's Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series? Upcoming Mahindra Scorpio dual-cab ute won't kill off more rugged work-oriented Pik Up