Scorpio 2.6 Crde LX Version - My Impressions

shankar.balan · 15th April 2008, 09:10

I own a Scorpio LX now- just took delivery a week ago.
The engine is first class. It hisses to a start with no fuss. Very powerful and no turbo lag troubles. Smooth and quite silent (at least once the windows are up and the AC on.)
Just remember that the instrument cluster is a little different in the sense that the fuel gauge is the upper right side one - it is easy to mistake the engine temp gauge for fuel gauge at first glance because of its location. And the hand brake indicator is right below, so please watch out before you take off after starting up the car because it is quite possible to take off with the handbrake on by mistake.
The gearing is sporty and clicky. I love it. Fantastic short and tight gearing feel which makes you want to Drive and Drive and Drive.
This is a "seat-of-the-pants driver's car all the way.
The superb Turbo 2.6 Crde beneath the hood is a huge advantage!. Good Torque, Great Power (BHP).
Hard/ Comfy driver seat. Very Snug feel and since I bought the LX and am quite a big built person I dont feel anything lacking because the front seats dont have armrests!
This car is a bit tall so one mustn't try sports car stunts while driving around corners and hill roads but the power is a pleasure.
I drove on a bad rutted road at a pretty high speed and didnt feel much discomfort. I sat in the back when my good friend drove and didnt feel a thing. The rear suspension is quite excellent. This car feels much better when fully loaded with people and luggage though.
Ive fitted 5 beautiful 5 spoke alloy wheels and these improve the ride and handling fantastically because the stance of the jeep has been widened - because the AURA Alloys are 6.5 inches wide as opposed to the 5.5 to 6 inches wide standard scorpio steel wheels.
And with the addition of a decent music system with a relatively inexpensive STEERING MOUNTED REMOTE, I now pretty much have many of the extra features of the DX, SLX and even VLX - all at a mere fraction of the cost of those vehicles!!
Im a firm believer in accessorizing the vehicle according to one's own taste by buying the base version and adding things to it in the way one prefers personally and the savings made and value I have created by doing this, affirms my belief again.
I love the amazing space at the back with the seat folded up and the HUGE space available with the seat folded down.
Feels nice and compact and sporty. Good fun to drive. Tough Mahindra Genes everywhere. This is not a Luxury SUV but an utility plus luxurious one.
The LX gives good value with Power Steering (nice chunky wheel and tiltable too!) Good powerful motors running the front and rear power windows. Solid AC and Heater!
235 Tyres are good but I think this may have been even better with 245 size on the big 16 inch rims.
While the Safari LX , its natural rival may offer many many toys and things and features etc,somehow, when you buy a car with your heart and "seat-of-the-pants", you end up buying a Scorpio.
I am waiting for the first few HILL DRIVES in this jeep. Im sure it will be a 100% FUN!
However, because of its tall stance and because it is an SUV, not a Sports Car, I will not recommend using it like you would, a low slung sports car, chucking it around bends etc. If you drive it well, and like a jeep type vehicle should be driven, it is probably the best vehicle to buy in this kind of budget!
Great Value and a LOVELY CAR!
Thank you Mahindra for getting things so right in the Scorpio!
Shankar Balan

dadu · 15th April 2008, 11:07

Congrats, keep us posted of your experiences as you go along!!

mansidea · 15th April 2008, 12:30

Congratulations Shankar. Those alloys looks beautiful on your car. Keep posting.

HappyWheels · 15th April 2008, 13:28

Good one Shankar.

Looking forward for more reviews, especially once you get to do long distance / ghat section drives.

Any other angle photos, interior photos to share?

DCEite · 15th April 2008, 13:31

Isn't this the mHawk?
If not, any reasons for not going with the 2.2 ?

extreme_torque · 15th April 2008, 13:33

Wouldnt the wider alloys foul with the suspension or ride and handling?

The scorpio looks pretty spartan withot the side plastic cladding.

lohithrao · 15th April 2008, 13:46

Hey nice review...

How much did you buy it for??

shankar.balan · 15th April 2008, 15:35

thank you
certainly I shall keep posting new notes as i use it more and more

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadu

Congrats, keep us posted of your experiences as you go along!!

7.92 on road ( because of corporate discount, loyalty bonus, insurance no claim bonus and so on - around 60 grand saved off the normal LX price which is 856000/-)
extras - 28 grand for the alloys
music and speakers 14 grand
towhook and new 4WD Scorpio bumper - 8 Grand
Bull Bar 10 Grand
Some small freebies included basic driving lamps mounted on the front bumper and some inside mats and an ashtray!

If you plan to buy, go and see Amit at Vijai Auto Bilekahalli (Banerghatta road) and tell him I had recommended you meet him
He will look after you pucca

Cheers

shankar

Quote:

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Hey nice review...

How much did you buy it for??

not really - they dont have spacers etc- and the extra one inch width only improves the stability in my experience- it was the same case with my bolero where the width of the alloys was just one inch more than the standard steel wheels and believe me, that jeep would just stick to the road on long distance and hill drives - alloys are a very worthwhile investment expecially if they are bought from a reputed company like Aura which is a Birla Group company!

I rather liked the spartan look without the cladding - unfortunately the cladding makes the jeep look (in my opinion) a little too overdone and the contrast cladding which is there on SLX and VLX makes it look really bad - somewhat like the jeep is wearing ill fitting skirts or something like that.

I personally preferred the simple anonymous look of the LX especially in the colour I bought - Rocky Beige (which actually looks more like a dull olive drab shade!)

cheers

shankar

Quote:

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

Wouldnt the wider alloys foul with the suspension or ride and handling?

The scorpio looks pretty spartan withot the side plastic cladding.

no this is the LX

the MHAWK at 11.2 Lacs was way over my budget - I love the Scorpio per se and one day soon when they start making slightly less expensive versions of the MHAWK I will probably upgrade but not now.

Frankly many of the extras offered with the M HAWK are not really to my taste or sense of "value" though some of the things are very useful.

cheers

shankar

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCEite

Isn't this the mHawk?
If not, any reasons for not going with the 2.2 ?

thanks

I will take some more this weekend and post them!
cheerio

shankar

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

Good one Shankar.

Looking forward for more reviews, especially once you get to do long distance / ghat section drives.

Any other angle photos, interior photos to share?

thanks man

i will let you know the reviews of a long distance drive very soon

cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by mansidea

Congratulations Shankar. Those alloys looks beautiful on your car. Keep posting.

jkdas · 15th April 2008, 16:43

Shankar; there is a rumor that 2.2 are sold in TN ; even base models. Any idea?

And these alloys are the one's that come for Safari VX right?

"If you drive it well, and like a jeep type vehicle should be driven, it is probably the best vehicle to buy in this kind of budget!"

You mean a jeep in driver comfort or passenger comfort or both?

sanjayatarizona · 15th April 2008, 16:55

Shankar, the styling is very subtle and clean without the cladding. i think it makes for very good viewing and you got a great deal to top it off. Looking forward to details on your ghat jaunts.

shankar.balan · 15th April 2008, 16:59

hi
no clue about this base model 2.2 in TN generally - but you might want to check in Coimbatore where lots of genetic modifications take place!

The alloys are called F11665 - colour Hyper Silver. This is the only design available at the moment from Aura for the 16 inch Rim size as in all the new Scorpios, LX, DLX, SLX and VLX and all the Safari's LX, EX, VX etc etc.

I mean about driving that when you drive an SUV/ Jeep type vehicle it is best to drive it with a little respect for the proportions and height of the car, your passenger (s) comfort and security, respect for other road users, shifting gears correctly (say before a hairpin bend rather than during or after a hairpin bend) and things like that.

In terms of comfort, as long as one doesnt do sports car type tricks in these SUV/ Jeep vehicles, I am sure both you and your passengers will be very comfy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas

Shankar; there is a rumor that 2.2 are sold in TN ; even base models. Any idea?

And these alloys are the one's that come for Safari VX right?

"If you drive it well, and like a jeep type vehicle should be driven, it is probably the best vehicle to buy in this kind of budget!"

You mean a jeep in driver comfort or passenger comfort or both?

thanks so much
i am looking forward to some hill driving in this new vehicle and shall post the details v soon

cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanjayatarizona

Shankar, the styling is very subtle and clean without the cladding. i think it makes for very good viewing and you got a great deal to top it off. Looking forward to details on your ghat jaunts.

zenopio · 15th April 2008, 17:16

congrates for your buy shankar hope you enjoy it till max.......another proud owner of sorpiocheers:

good alloyes buddy why not upgraded your tyers to some fat rubber would have given you more road grip....

shankar.balan · 15th April 2008, 18:53

thanks

but i think its better to stick with the 235 70 R16 tyres since they offer more than adequate road grip with the alloys and look just right for the vehicle

the only other option I might have considered were the ones on the Getaway 245 70 R 16 which might have been more aggressive looking but im not sure how much they would have impacted the performance, having not driven a regular scorp with those tyres.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenopio

congrates for your buy shankar hope you enjoy it till max.......another proud owner of sorpiocheers:

good alloyes buddy why not upgraded your tyers to some fat rubber would have given you more road grip....

kingshukt · 17th April 2008, 10:41

Congratulations. Nice colour and nicer Alloys. A friend of mine also bought a Lx last year. He too fitted the same alloys.
@JK: These alloys are being sold by the Mahindra dealers and No, I do not think that these are the Safari Vx alloys.

SumitB · 17th April 2008, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingshukt

@JK: These alloys are being sold by the Mahindra dealers and No, I do not think that these are the Safari Vx alloys.

These alloys do look similar to the ones that come as OEM for the Safari. Similar design and looks.

15th April 2008, 09:10	#1
shankar.balan BANNED Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,797 Thanked: 27,233 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/3 (13)	Scorpio 2.6 Crde LX Version - My Impressions I own a Scorpio LX now- just took delivery a week ago. The engine is first class. It hisses to a start with no fuss. Very powerful and no turbo lag troubles. Smooth and quite silent (at least once the windows are up and the AC on.) Just remember that the instrument cluster is a little different in the sense that the fuel gauge is the upper right side one - it is easy to mistake the engine temp gauge for fuel gauge at first glance because of its location. And the hand brake indicator is right below, so please watch out before you take off after starting up the car because it is quite possible to take off with the handbrake on by mistake. The gearing is sporty and clicky. I love it. Fantastic short and tight gearing feel which makes you want to Drive and Drive and Drive. This is a "seat-of-the-pants driver's car all the way. The superb Turbo 2.6 Crde beneath the hood is a huge advantage!. Good Torque, Great Power (BHP). Hard/ Comfy driver seat. Very Snug feel and since I bought the LX and am quite a big built person I dont feel anything lacking because the front seats dont have armrests! This car is a bit tall so one mustn't try sports car stunts while driving around corners and hill roads but the power is a pleasure. I drove on a bad rutted road at a pretty high speed and didnt feel much discomfort. I sat in the back when my good friend drove and didnt feel a thing. The rear suspension is quite excellent. This car feels much better when fully loaded with people and luggage though. Ive fitted 5 beautiful 5 spoke alloy wheels and these improve the ride and handling fantastically because the stance of the jeep has been widened - because the AURA Alloys are 6.5 inches wide as opposed to the 5.5 to 6 inches wide standard scorpio steel wheels. And with the addition of a decent music system with a relatively inexpensive STEERING MOUNTED REMOTE, I now pretty much have many of the extra features of the DX, SLX and even VLX - all at a mere fraction of the cost of those vehicles!! Im a firm believer in accessorizing the vehicle according to one's own taste by buying the base version and adding things to it in the way one prefers personally and the savings made and value I have created by doing this, affirms my belief again. I love the amazing space at the back with the seat folded up and the HUGE space available with the seat folded down. Feels nice and compact and sporty. Good fun to drive. Tough Mahindra Genes everywhere. This is not a Luxury SUV but an utility plus luxurious one. The LX gives good value with Power Steering (nice chunky wheel and tiltable too!) Good powerful motors running the front and rear power windows. Solid AC and Heater! 235 Tyres are good but I think this may have been even better with 245 size on the big 16 inch rims. While the Safari LX , its natural rival may offer many many toys and things and features etc,somehow, when you buy a car with your heart and "seat-of-the-pants", you end up buying a Scorpio. I am waiting for the first few HILL DRIVES in this jeep. Im sure it will be a 100% FUN! However, because of its tall stance and because it is an SUV, not a Sports Car, I will not recommend using it like you would, a low slung sports car, chucking it around bends etc. If you drive it well, and like a jeep type vehicle should be driven, it is probably the best vehicle to buy in this kind of budget! Great Value and a LOVELY CAR! Thank you Mahindra for getting things so right in the Scorpio! Shankar Balan Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Rehaan : 15th April 2008 at 09:36. Reason: formatting [tags] removed.
	() Thanks

15th April 2008, 11:07	#2
dadu Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,803 Thanked: 463 Times View My Garage	Congrats, keep us posted of your experiences as you go along!!
	() Thanks

15th April 2008, 12:30	#3
mansidea BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 238 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	Congratulations Shankar. Those alloys looks beautiful on your car. Keep posting.
	() Thanks

15th April 2008, 13:28	#4
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,145 Thanked: 571 Times	Good one Shankar. Looking forward for more reviews, especially once you get to do long distance / ghat section drives. Any other angle photos, interior photos to share?
	() Thanks

15th April 2008, 13:31	#5
DCEite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NCR Posts: 3,590 Thanked: 3,483 Times	Isn't this the mHawk? If not, any reasons for not going with the 2.2 ?
	() Thanks

15th April 2008, 13:33	#6
extreme_torque BANNED Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 4,462 Thanked: 5,534 Times	Wouldnt the wider alloys foul with the suspension or ride and handling? The scorpio looks pretty spartan withot the side plastic cladding.
	() Thanks

15th April 2008, 13:46	#7
lohithrao Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kudla/Mangaluru Posts: 3,203 Thanked: 226 Times View My Garage	Hey nice review... How much did you buy it for??
	() Thanks

15th April 2008, 16:43	#9
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,497 Times View My Garage	Shankar; there is a rumor that 2.2 are sold in TN ; even base models. Any idea? And these alloys are the one's that come for Safari VX right? "If you drive it well, and like a jeep type vehicle should be driven, it is probably the best vehicle to buy in this kind of budget!" You mean a jeep in driver comfort or passenger comfort or both?
	() Thanks

15th April 2008, 16:55	#10
sanjayatarizona BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: "God's own Shaap" Posts: 355 Thanked: 10 Times	Shankar, the styling is very subtle and clean without the cladding. i think it makes for very good viewing and you got a great deal to top it off. Looking forward to details on your ghat jaunts.
	() Thanks

15th April 2008, 17:16	#12
zenopio BANNED Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: hyderabad,london Posts: 441 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	congrates for your buy shankar hope you enjoy it till max.......another proud owner of sorpiocheers: good alloyes buddy why not upgraded your tyers to some fat rubber would have given you more road grip.... Last edited by zenopio : 15th April 2008 at 17:17.
	() Thanks

17th April 2008, 10:41	#14
kingshukt BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 450 Thanked: 10 Times	Congratulations. Nice colour and nicer Alloys. A friend of mine also bought a Lx last year. He too fitted the same alloys. @JK: These alloys are being sold by the Mahindra dealers and No, I do not think that these are the Safari Vx alloys.
	() Thanks