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I got my Scorpio SLX on May 10th an engine silver beauty, and clocked 10,000 Kilometers, completed two free services so far. Till now, I had faced one major and some minor problems.
Style and Looks:
Positives:
The looks of the car is very good, and the vehicle height is also good as it comes with 16” wheels. The rear light combination also looks good, (Tower Tail Lamp, as Mahindra says it kisses the roof), it’s again subjective, and I would say “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder; I love that styling. New Scorpio comes with a bonnet scoop, even though its fake but it gives a nice look, isn’t it? Add on spoiler with brake lights, now all truck drivers face will turn red, if Scorpio is in front of them! It’s on the roof edge. Scorpio SLX comes with roof top ski racks, its just adding the look of the vehicle; I haven’t used that for any purpose. Integrated foot steps with lights, is another exterior feature, but I haven’t seen anyone using that foot steps for getting in to the vehicle. However, after dark the foot step light gives a different look to the Scorpio. Another feature is follow me home head lamp; it glows for a minute or so when you lock the vehicle after having a drive with head lamps on.
Negatives
Mahindra should’ve provided front fog lamps as a standard fitment with at least with the top models. I have to spend around 1500 RS to put fog lamps. Bonnet scoop groove act as a reservoir when it rains, you have to remove the water from that after rain or washing. No major negatives so far in style and looks.
Interiors
Positives:
My Scorpio is a 7 seater with side seats, more often 5 guys used to travel in this. Mahindra had provided lot of storage spaces inside the Scorpio; you can place 4 beer bottles on all four doors, no mention about back seat guys! Also it provides cup holders on front central area. Mobile charging facility is provided on front and middle row. In 7 seater version, there is lot of leg room for the second row passengers. All control switches are well placed for easy accessibility for driver. Air conditioner: I will say it’s superb in this class. You will get freeze if you put air conditioner to full. Illuminated ignition key slot; much help full in dark. Power and tilt able steering, helps you to maneuver the vehicle very easily and effortlessly. Power windows; another feature. Mahindra is providing a Kenwood (Nippon) MP3 Player with SLX model. Oops forgot to mention about Voice assist system, unique feature of SLX model, really helps me, I often forget to release the hand brake, and it reminds me about that, it reminds me to fill the tank, about opened doors etc…
Negatives
First, I would like to comment on air conditioner; it’s very efficient for front seat passengers, for middle row, just for freezing your genitals, so well placed on the middle to get enough cooling for your private parts. I don’t know why they can’t provide roof a/c vents. And for third row, is there anything called a/c in this car! Tilt able steering; make sure to place the steering in higher position before getting out of the car, otherwise it will be very difficult to get in next time. Audio player really sucks! I want to get rid of that thing.
Engine And Performance :
Positives:
Awesome performance, pretty quick, it really a high powered work horse. It delivers 28.3 kgm of torque and 115 bhp of power; you can easily cruise from 0 to 60 in just 7 seconds. Very low NVH, compared to any other diesel vehicles, you feel like driving a petrol car, that is CRDe! And about the FE, I am getting 11 -11.5 on highways with full a/c and 10-10.5 on city drives, comparing to other SUV’s this figure is quite impressive. What say? I haven’t crossed 130 Km/H but am sure that this vehicle can go far beyond that, still need to test the top speed. There is no lack of power even when the a/c is on. You can easily overtake any vehicle with out shifting the gears.
Negatives:
Once I had faced a major issue with this engine, it was on my way to Trivandrum from Cochin, after hitting 120 km/h the engine suddenly lacks power and absolutely no response, feels like missing or no fuel supply. I was on the national highway at that time, I pushed the accelerator harder, but of no use. Then I applied the clutch completely and hit the accelerator pedal completely, after some time engine slowly starts responding. This happens 2-3 times that day. I called up Mahindra Service Centre, (TVS Cochin) one guy told me that they have found similar kind of issue with some other customers also (CRDe) this is due to impurity in fuel, they suggest to fill the tank with Super Diesel or Reliance Diesel, I told them, I haven’t used normal diesel so far and always insist on Super Diesel, then they said it might happen if there is water content on the fuel, they told me to empty the tank and fill the tank from another pump (lots of pump doesn’t provide good fuel). I filled the tank and went for another drive, and it again happened to me again, I called them up and they told me to bring the vehicle for inspection. Later, I was told by a service engineer that Mahindra has done some thing in Scorpio to recycle the fuel (don’t know the details, please forgive), they just unplugged that thing (its like a wiring with a plug just under the bonnet below the front glass) and now my vehicle doesn’t have any problem, its going smoother than before, Hurray!!!!!!!! Well, I guess CRDe engines can’t with stand fuel impurities, so try to fill the tank from a reliable pump that gives good fuel and go for super diesel or turbo jet.
Ride And Handling :
Positives:
Its fun to drive a Scorpio, it can easily cruise through the city traffic, you wont feel like handling a big vehicle, its very easy. CRDe engine delivers much power that makes the overtaking and high way rides very comfortable. Shifting of gear is smooth, but from 1st to 2nd its bit stiff. No knocking while driving slowly on higher gears. Overall it gives a thrilling driving experience. P 235/70 R16, Tubeless Bridgestone gives nice road grip.
Negatives:
Still needs lots of improvement on braking, needs to learn how to drive/handle this vehicle, then its fun. I am afraid to push this vehicle to its limit because of braking, I am not so confident, that I can handle this in higher speeds. If the road is not so good, don’t attempt a sharp turn on this vehicle, you will mess up. Traveling in third row seat is really a jumping experience still, even though they have improved the suspension in new Scorpio, but far better than old Scorpio.
Overall:
My experience with this beauty is great. And you don’t have to spend much for servicing this vehicle, I have spend around 1500/- RS each for 5000Km and 10000Km Service. Once, our driver, scratched the front bumper, and for painting the entire bumper I have to spend only 600 RS, isn’t it cheaper? The mechanic told me that the spare parts are cheaper compared to other SUV’s. If you are looking for an SUV around 7.5 -9 Lacs, looking for an outstanding and powerful diesel engine performance, easy cruising on city, and if you really love to be in driver seat, go ahead, Scorpio is for you. The CRDe engine really rocks!
Note: I have missed lot of things in this review, please forgive. I will update this review after another long drive experience. | 
9th November 2006, 11:02
