I got my Scorpio SLX on May 10th an engine silverbeauty, and clocked 10, 000 Kilometers, and 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 itcomes with 16” wheels. The rear light combination also looks good, (Tower TailLamp, as Mahindra says it kisses the roof), it’s again subjective, and I wouldsay “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder; I love that styling. New Scorpiocomes with a bonnet scoop, even though its fake but it gives a nice look, isn’tit? 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 rooftop ski racks, its just adding the look of the vehicle; I haven’t used that forany 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. Anotherfeature is follow me home head l it glows for a minute or so when you lockthe vehicle after having a drive with head lamps on.
Negatives
Mahindra should’ve provided front fog lamps as a standardfitment with at least with the top models. I have to spend around 1500 RS toput fog lamps. Bonnet scoop groove act as a reservoir when it rains, you haveto remove the water from that after rain or washing. No major negatives so farin style and looks.
Interiors
Positives:
My Scorpio is a 7 seater with side seats, more often 5 guys used to travel inthis. Mahindra had provided lot of storage spaces inside the Scorpio; you canplace 4 beer bottles on all four doors, no mention about back seat guys! Alsoit provides cup holders on front central area. Mobile charging facility isprovided on front and middle row. In 7 seater version, there is lot of leg roomfor the second row passengers. All control switches are well placed for easyaccessibility for driver. Air conditioner: I will say it’s superb in thisclass. You will get freeze if you put air conditioner to full. Illuminatedignition key slot; much help full in dark. Power and tilt able steering, helpsyou 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, uniquefeature 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 openeddoors etc…
Negatives
First, I would like to comment on air conditioner; it’s very efficientfor front seat passengers, for middle row, just for freezing your genitals, sowell placed on the middle to get enough cooling for your private parts. I don’tknow why they can’t provide roof a/c vents. And for third row, is thereanything called a/c in this car! Tilt able steering; make sure to place thesteering in higher position before getting out of the car, otherwise it will bevery difficult to get in next time. Audio player really sucks! I want to getrid of that thing.
Engine And Performance :
Positives:
Awesome performance, pretty quick, it really a high powered work horse. It delivers28.3 kgm of torque and 115 bhp of power; you can easily cruise from 0 to 60 injust 7 seconds. Very low NVH, compared to any other diesel vehicles, you feellike 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 otherSUV’s this figure is quite impressive. What say? I haven’t crossed 130 Km/H butam sure that this vehicle can go far beyond that, still need to test the topspeed. There is no lack of power even when the a/c is on. You can easilyovertake 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 noresponse, feels like missing or no fuel supply. I was on the national highwayat that time, I pushed the accelerator harder, but of no use. Then I appliedthe clutch completely and hit the accelerator pedal completely, after some timeengine slowly starts responding. This happens 2-3 times that day. I called upMahindra Service Centre, (TVS Cochin) one guy told me that they have foundsimilar kind of issue with some other customers also (CRDe) this is due toimpurity in fuel, they suggest to fill the tank with Super Diesel or RelianceDiesel, I told them, I haven’t used normal diesel so far and always insist onSuper Diesel, then they said it might happen if there is water content on thefuel, they told me to empty the tank and fill the tank from another pump (lotsof pump doesn’t provide good fuel). I filled the tank and went for anotherdrive, and it again happened to me again, I called them up and they told me tobring the vehicle for inspection. Later, I was told by a service engineer thatMahindra has done some thing in Scorpio to recycle the fuel (don’t know thedetails, please forgive), they just unplugged that thing (its like a wiringwith a plug just under the bonnet below the front glass) and now my vehicledoesn’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 tankfrom a reliable pump that gives good fuel and go for super diesel or turbojet.
Ride And Handling :
Positives:
Its fun to drive a Scorpio, it can easily cruise through the citytraffic, you wont feel like handling a big vehicle, its very easy. CRDe enginedelivers much power that makes the overtaking and high way rides verycomfortable. Shifting of gear is smooth, but from 1st to 2ndits bit stiff. No knocking while driving slowly on higher gears. Overall it gives a thrilling drivingexperience. P 235/70 R16, Tubeless Bridgestone gives nice road grip.
Negatives:
Still needs lot of improvement on braking, needs to learn how to drive/handlethis vehicle, then its fun. I am afraid to push this vehicle to its limitbecause of braking, I am not so confident, that I can handle this in higherspeeds. 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 jumpingexperience 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 haveto spend much for servicing this vehicle, I have spend around 1500/- RS eachfor 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 itcheaper? The mechanic told me that the spare parts are cheaper compared toother SUV’s. If you are looking for an SUV around 7.5 -9 Lacs, looking for anoutstanding and powerful diesel engine performance, easy cruising on city, andif you really love to be in driver seat, go ahead, Scorpio is for you. The CRDeengine really rocks!