Leading Indian utility vehicle manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra has posted pictures of a new Scorpio SLE 4x4 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) variant on its official website. Interestingly, no official announcement of this new variant was made by Mahindra in the media. Many new features of the SLE have been explained further in this article.
Suspension set up has been changed to torsion bar on the front, instead of the standard coil springs/anti-roll bar arrangement on 4x2 variants. The Scorpio SLE 4x4 trim comes with standard equipments like Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), power windows, rear wipers with defogger, electric wing mirrors and keyless entry. There is also a new Voice-Messaging system which alerts the driver of open doors, engaged handbrake or other similar issues. Body coloured cladding, rear seat arm rest and specially moulded door pads have also been made part of this vehicle. Apart from the SLE, an entry level LX variant of the Scorpio also gets the 4x4 technology. Further, kerb weight of the model is higher than the 4x2 variants at 2,610 kg.
The Scorpio SLE 4x4 is primarily a rear-wheel driven vehicle, which makes it convenient to handle on rough and uncertain terrains. However, it also has an now with a low range Borg Warner Transfer Box that can take care of minimum off-roading, while All Wheel Drive (AWD) Mode with a shift-on-the-fly witch is fitted for difficult and inhospitable terrains. In terms of engine, the new SLE 4x4 is powered by the regular 2.2 litre mHawk diesel engine, which delivers a maximum power output of 120 bhp and peak torque of 290 Nm. In addition, this engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox, which allows the vehicle to accelerate easily. On an average, the SLE delivers a fuel economy of 12 kmpl in the city.
For all the above mentioned features and the 4x4 technology, Mahindra Scorpio SLE has been priced at Rs. 10.72 lakh (ex-showroom, Bangalore). Most enthusiasts would already be aware of the Scorpio's off-roading abilities and this new variant would upgrade the technology further, making it a more viable product than earlier.
