It is widely anticipated that Mahindra & Mahindra will be reviving its iconic Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) Scorpio and will be displaying it at the upcoming Auto Expo 2014. The car will be refurbished with a facelift and interiors will bear minor tweaks resembling to that of Mahindra XUV500. Since Mahindra Scorpio's advent, in 2002, in domestic market, the car has witnessed changes to keep up with modern day requirements of customer. But since 2002, a lot has changed in the Utility Vehicle (UV) segment where currently a disparate range of Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) and compact SUV is dominating the Indian roads. The upcoming auto fiesta will be witnessing latest cars in the segment and one such automobile among the lot is Honda Mobilio, an MPV.
Experts are of a view that the abovementioned cars will be the key players in their respective segments and will also boost their companys' presence in domestic market. The duo is certainly not a rival or a match against each other but both are capable of achieving equal feats. Mahindra Scorpio is a sturdy looking car equipped with robust features. With an eye-catching design, the car does not display any flaw in its layout. The heavy capacity engine of this SUV along with superior suspension provide a comfortable ride on almost all terrains.
The current version of this SUV comes equipped with a 2.2-litre mHAWK diesel engine, which is able to produce a decent power output of 120 bhp. Speculations are rife that the company might increase these figures to 140 bhp. The ongoing model achieves 0-60 kmph mark in just 5.6 seconds, which seems pretty efficient for an full fledged SUV. At interiors, it is clustered with modern technologies, ensuring an entertaining drive experience. With safety features like airbags and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), the car seems like a bargain in the range of Rs. 8 lakh – Rs. 12.8 lakh.
Honda Mobilio, on the other hand, seems to be a perfect example of an MPV, but the final verdict will be delivered only after its launch. The car is expected to come equipped with an option of either 1.5-litre iVTEC or 1.5-litre iDTEC engines. A capacious 3-row seating arrangement is sure to tempt buyers. Along with, the technically advanced innovation of Honda, which has been merged into the making of this car has produced astonishing result. Interiors are likely to come lumped with entertainment console, and the same can be seen on its steering wheel. Utmost driving comfort is taken care of by equipping the car with reclining middle row seats and foldable rear seats to provide extra luggage space. Furthermore, roof mounted air-vents will be provided in every row. Industry experts are of a view that Mobilio will be a highlight of Honda and will be marking the company's advent in MPV segment.
Notably, the popularity of UV segment is continuously increasing in Indian market. With the likes of Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster currently dominating compact SUV segment, the invincible Toyota Innova seems to rule the MPV segment since ages now. Although 2014 will witness innumerable launches in this segment, experts are widely believing that Mahindra Scorpio and Honda Mobilio will create a benchmark in performance.
