Mahindra’s relationship with the Indian Armed forces dates back to the time it began assembling Jeeps in India. As a continuation to this association and their solidarity towards the fighting forces, Mahindra is now a part of the Assam Rifles’ 175th anniversary celebrations. 4 Mahindra Scorpios have been used in the 13-day non-competitive car rally “Blaze of Glory” organized by the Assam Rifles which was flagged off in New Delhi on March 4th by Shri Ajay Makan, Hon’ble Minister State Home Affairs. In its 2nd leg, this rally has now reached Lucknow via Agra and will be flagged-in at Imphal on March 16th enroute Varanasi-Buxar-Patna-Khagaria-Purnia-NJP-CoochBihar-Guwahati-Shillong and Dimapur.

“Assam Rifles is the largest Home Land Security Force in the North and we are extremely proud to be associated with their 175th anniversary celebrations. The Mahindra Group’s relationship with the defence forces of India has grown stronger over time. The unique characteristics of Mahindra Scorpio – ruggedness, durability, power, dependability and the inherent ability to rule any terrain share an affinity with the inhospitable and demanding conditions where our fighting forces live. Our heartiest congratulations to Assam Rifles and the Indian Armed Forces,” a  Mahindra spokesperson said.

The Mahindra Scorpio has won the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2010 in the Ndure category. In 2009 the Scorpio had also won the Adventure Trial SUV Category of Raid De Himalaya one of the toughest rallies in the country and came 3rd in the Rally de Sertoes which is one of the toughest rallies in the world. The Desert Storm Rally was organized by Maruti Suzuki in collaboration with Northern Motorsport. The race culminated in Udaipur after charting a course that covered 3000 kms through the interiors of Gujrat and Rajasthan.

The rally saw the highest participation this year with about 250 participants with 100 cars and 21 bikes. The route they covered consisted of some of the toughest terrain the country has to offer, as a result only 11 of the 21 cars in the Ndure category managed to complete the race. The winning Scorpio was driven by Raj Singh Rathore with Dhiraj Arora as his co-driver. Together they survived and won a grueling race in which the participants travelled through the majestic Aravalis, endured the searing heat of the Thar and navigated the marshy expanse of the Great Rann.

Mahindra has launched a limited edition run of the Scorpio at the Auto Expo. The special edition will feature special trimmings and finishes, premium fabrics and high quality accessories. Only 1000 such editions will be made. Ajay Devgan (first Scorpio customer) and Anand Mahindra, Vice-Chairman and MD, Mahindra Group, took special pride in unveiling ‘The ‘Scorpio Coffee Table Book.’ The book chronicles the journey of the Mahindra Scorpio since its launch in 2002. It is available at leading book stores, Mahindra dealerships across the country, and also at the Mahindra Pavillion in Hall No. 2 at the Auto Expo.

Mahindra has upgraded the Scorpio VLX with additional features including dual SRS airbags, new twin dial instrument cluster, bluevision bulbs in headlamps, bluetooth connectivity, built-in tweeters in front speakers and speed warning alert. Along with the upgrades, Mahindra has hiked the price of the SUV by Rs. 10,500/-

Mahindra has created a path-breaking record at the Rally dos Sertoes in Brazil, which is considered to be one of the world’s toughest rallies. The Mahindra Scorpio Pick Up, piloted by Brazilian motoring enthusiast Ricardo Augusto de Souza Campos, delivered an exceptional performance, securing third place in the T2 category for cars and pick ups. The T2 category is for cars that have not undergone a great deal of modification. The vehicle sported a trendy red and white look, echoing the Mahindra corporate colours.

The Scorpio Pick Up was kept almost stock aside from the required safety and structural modifications demanded by the regulations. Some of the modifications made include an FIA safety roll-cage fitted along with special rally seats, snorkel air intake, sump and transmission guard, plastic windshield, electrical safety gear along with a host of navigation and rally aids, as well as radio and GPS systems. The chassis was strengthened at key points, as mandated. The only addition which differed from standard specifications was the fitment of rally shock absorbers which the T2 regulators permitted. A larger 220-litre fuel tank was mounted in the load bed.

Only 33 out of the 66 cars and pick-ups completed the grueling event. The Rally dos Sertoes is one of the toughest events in the world, second only to the mighty Dakar rally. The rally typically follows a treacherous route across Brazilian jungles and swampy terrain and this year’s edition was no different. Can we expect Mahindra to officially enter the 2010 Dakar rally. If that happens, it will be the first indigenously Indian built vehicle to participate in a world rally championship.

Mahindra launched the new mighty muscular Scorpio successfully. The Scorpio has always been aggressive in its looks and  Scorpio’s dominance on Indian roads is a well known story. But this time around, there’s a surprise in store for everyone, as this bully has a soft corner.

The revolutionary new Micro Hybrid technology makes Mahindra’s Scorpio really gentle. On the environment that is. This technology allows it to intelligently switch off the engine when not required. Thus going into standby mode after few seconds of engine idling, ready to spring back to life the moment it’s needed again. This ensures you burn less fuel and reduce emissions. Providing much needed relief to the environment, our lungs and our wallets too.

In a nutshell, the Micro Hybrid technology : -

• Switches off the engine when the Scorpio idles for a preset duration (*2 seconds in Scorpio VLX, 5 seconds in Scorpio M2Di)
• Switches the engine back on, the instant your leg depresses the clutch pedal
• Burns less fuel, thus reducing pollution and helping to conserve the environment

Mahindra deserve credit for taking the lead in implementing Micro Hybrid technology, an innovative and affordable step towards sustainability. We’re sure many will follow in the footsteps of this first Micro Hybrid car in the country.

Mahindra & Mahindra has launched its sports utility vehicle ‘New Mighty Muscular Scorpio’ at a price range of Rs 7.21 lakh to Rs 9.2 lakh. The Scorpio features the technologically advanced mHawk engine and also incorporates micro hybrid technology. The 2.2 litre advanced mHawk engine is now available on the Scorpio LX, SLE, VLX and VLX AT. The Scorpio VLX is the first car to be BC-IV compliant.

“Mahindra’s ingenious approach to driving efficiencies and costs has enabled us to provide additional customer value up to Rs 70,000. The new Scorpio has the ability to expand the market and appeal to a new set of customers,” Mahindra & Mahindra Automotive Sector Chief of Operations Rajesh Jejurikar said.

The price range is Rs 7.21 lakh (LX) to Rs 9.2 lakh (VLX) ex-showroom Delhi, post significant price reductions ranging from Rs 34,000 to Rs 70,000. The new Muscular Scorpio gets two news colours – Mystique Purple and Toreador Red.

Checkout whats new in the New Scorpio here.

Mahindra will launch a facelifted Scorpio on 6th March 2009. The new scorpio will come with cosmetic changes both to the interiors as well as the exteriors. Mahindra will phase out the 2.6L CRDe engine in the new Scorpio. All the variants in the new Scorpio will be powered by the 2.2L m_Hawk engine that is now found only in the VLX variant.

The new Scorpio gets a new front fascia with modified bumpers, new headlamps with projector lens and new grille on the outside. The Mahindra logo now gets embossed on the sides below the doors. Featurewise the new Scorpio gets electric ORVMs and factory fitted 2-DIN audio system. On the inside, the new Scorpio gets new seat fabric. Mahindra will also introduce new colours with the launch of new Scorpio. Deliveries of new Scorpio will start from 10th of March.

Mahindra is all set to launch a face-lifted version of the Scorpio in the near future. The changes to the new Scorpio are largely cosmetic. The new grille sports a central ’silver tooth’ a new design element that’s present on the Xylo and Bolero as well. The new Scorpio will only be available with the mHawk engine and the 2.6 CRDe motor will be discontinued.

The headlights are all new and the ‘projector’ lenses look terrific. The bumper too is all new and incorporates larger fog lights. The rear lights as well have been redesigned and we hear that there are changes to the interiors as well.

Source – ACI

Mahindra had showcased the off-roading prowess of its vehicles earlier at the Autocar Performance Show. (Checkout Scorpio Off-Roading) Mahindra has made a similar off-road track in the Mumbai International Motor Show and used the Scorpio and the Bolero to showcase the off-roading capabilites of the Mahindra vehicles.