[Ram]

With a tear of national pride in the eye and as a long time Mahindra fan, I learned that this appeared in the latest issue of US Truck Trend magazine July-August 2007.

NEW TRUCK FROM INDIA

There's a new brand in town---Mahindra. Started in 1947, when brothers K.C. and J.C. Mahindra built Willys Jeeps from parts kits, the company has been selling tractors in the US since 1994. Now they're adding SUVs and pickup trucks to the American market, on sale by late 2008 or early 2009. While a four-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty will be standard, after a look underneath, we don't expect anything important will easily break.

Just three vehicles will be offered initially: one SUV and two- and four-door pickups, from plain Jane to fully loaded. They'll likely share powertrains and axles and, from what we've seen, dashboards and front seats as well. The engine, a new 2.2-liter four-cylinder common-rail (1800 bar injection pressure) variable-geometry turbodiesel, puts out an estimated 180 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.

Matched to six-speed automatics, these will be pullers but likely to get good fuel mileage as well. All Mahindra vehicles appear to share a torsion-beam IFS design and solid rear axle, with a five-link coil setup on the SUV and leaf springs on the pickups. Given the typical infrastructure an Indian 4WD might operate on, these are built stout with a fully boxed frame that resembles an older Land Rover, cast-iron gear drive transfer cases and steel suspension arms. Four wheel disc brakes with ABS are expected, as is electronic stability (ESP).

Traditional upright truck styling yields excellent room inside, with a six-foot-three tester not compromised for head- or legroom in the back of the four-door pickup.

The SUV has three rows of seats with a sliding split-fold center row and three-belt rear. The two-door pickup, built on the same 120-inch wheelbase as the four door, has a 7.5-foot-long deep bed, with rolled lip edges and steel tiedown hooks on all three sides. Prices haven't been released.

What You Need To Know
Engine: 2.2-liter I-4 turbodiesel
Ratings: 180 horsepower, 300 pound-feet of torque
Wheelbase: 120.0 inches
Cab configurations: Regular and crew
Frame: Fully boxed
Axles: IFS, solid rear

the image is clickable
Ram

[Rudra Sen]

I really don't get these!
It's not the first time. In 1999 Jordan, I've seen Maruti 800 with power steering/rear wiper/better fabric for seats/better plastics/165 wheels.

At that time it was the cheapest car there at 2.8L

[theMAG]

Finally the details are out! And they look good. I'd be interested to know the development paths of that 6-speed auto

[tsk1979]

180 horses is serious power. Also it looks that Mahindra has liberated some serious interior space for the back row.
Now why why why do we have to get such a "Khatara" version of this beast.
Sadly the story is same for every manufacturer. The "export" models are leagues ahead in specifications, features and quality.

[iraghava]

Originally Posted by theMAG

I'd be interested to know the development paths of that 6-speed auto

I think they have bought the transmission from one of the specialised makers (ZF, Graziano, Aisin etc.) and then had the ratios modified to suit their application. I don't think they would or could develop it in-house.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Now why why why do we have to get such a "Khatara" version of this beast.
Sadly the story is same for every manufacturer. The "export" models are leagues ahead in specifications, features and quality.

Export models need to be leagues ahead if they want someone to buy them whereas in india, anything will sell, so why bother ? pathetic attitude.

[Ram]

Originally Posted by iraghava

I think they have bought the transmission from one of the specialised makers (ZF, Graziano, Aisin etc.) and then had the ratios modified to suit their application. I don't think they would or could develop it in-house.

You're quite likely to be right iraghava. I can see where you're coming from.

But I have learned better since 2005. You'd be surprised at what is being developed and tested in house in India these days! You'd be surprised at the depth of qualifications of specialists available in India these days! There's a massive reverse brain drain happening of designers and managers returning home to India from the better developed world.

BTW, this Mahindra uses neither ZF Friedrichshafen, Oerlikon-Graziano Drive Systems nor Aisin AW.

[dinar]

Why do still people think that Indian companies can not develop stuff in India????????Is't Scropio, Indica, plusar,etc proof enough.....come on ferrari and TCS....??????

[Zappo]

Ummm... lets see it this way, in india anything will sell. however in india they also "need" to sell. as in say mahindra currently offers this vehicle in india with a trim and spec level which makes it possible for them to sell it for less than 10 lacs. now after these high-tech specs (6 speed auto tranny, no less!) and beastly power this same vehicle will probably cost 15 lacs in india. will it sell here? i seriously doubt that. while in US if they start with a very conservative 1000 units a year they can still manage. but in india if they sold that kind of number where will they be?

the problem is enthusiasts do not make for volumes. I and you may salivate at the thought of a 180bhp monster but what about the general scorpio buyer here? most are builders, traders, local businessmen and some local neta-sheta (politicos) types. they just want those beastly looking vehicles for show-sha baaji than anything else. they will happily buy the "same vehicle" for less than 10 rather than spending 15+. You guys see the point?

[GTO]

I knew it; does anyone remember this thread?

Congo to Mahindra for their ambition as well as product confidence. Really wish them success in the largest car / truck market of the world. The America's have a need for low-cost rugged utility vehicles.

Buttttttttttttttttttttt when do we get this 180BHP monster?

[amit]

Fabulous piece of news! Any pictures of the interiors? I am sure Mahindra would have spruced them up as well for the North American market.

Aren't they developing a new 2.2 L I4 engine for the Scropio and upcoming Ingenio in India too? Could it be the same one?!

[benbsb29]

Originally Posted by ram

NEW TRUCK FROM INDIA

Four wheel disc brakes with ABS are expected, as is electronic stability (ESP).

ABS and also ESP. Isnt it high time they atleast make these optional here in India too?

Kudos to M&M. I hope they do well.

[1100D]

I am going to grab a copy now!!! Where would I get this, any store? Yes its so special!!

[Nitin]

Pretty good news!
I'm sure these will sell well after the 1st few months of going on sale. The highest sales of pick-up trucks are here in Texas, and it gives a chance for people looking to get a cheap truck that has a decent amount of features. And if its a new pick-up, then all the more reason to give it a try. The average American is willing to invest in anything thats new & has some reliability. I'm sure M&M will do wonders,if it prices these trucks in the right slot.

[ananthkamath]

After looking at the spec, all I can say is WOW! 300 lb-ft from a 2.2 CRDi, independent rear, six-speed auto tranny, I think this thing is better spec-ed than some local offerings from Ford & GM.