A Scorpio facelift test mule was caught on test on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway by TopGear India. The test vehicle was clad in the customary camouflage, and did carry a few different parts over the current model.
The SUV looks forward biased in the new spyshots. The striking change about the new facelifted Scorpio will be the new engine grille. It is larger, and has thicker slats. The front bumper has undergone some redesigning, and the air scoop has been repositioned on the bonnet. The facelift will come with a new set of headlamps and the option of projector headlamps will also be there. Let’s hope that all these tweaks help in making the facelifted Scorpio look more premium at the same time retaining its muscular cues.
However, there won’t be too many other changes. The side profile of the vehicle is expected to remain the same, with exactly similar roof rails. The alloys, though, could be different as all the spied test mules come with alloys different from those on the current version. At the rear, things will probably be exactly similar to the current model. This means we will get to see the Christmas-Tree taillamp configuration as well.
Mahindra’s approach to the Scorpio facelift essentially involves retaining the macho, rugged looks as well as the value-for-money proposition whilst also introducing a higher degree of premium feel. This means the interiors will be better, and the materials used will also be significantly plusher. The source of this spyshot claims that they saw a newly-designed centre console with new AC vents, a new steering wheel and bits from the XUV’s cabin.
Now, coming to the meat of the matter – the powerplant! The source claims that the test vehicle was cruising at speeds of about 150 kph on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and it appeared rock-solid stable at those speeds. The current Scorpio comes with a 2.2L, 120 bhp mHawk diesel engine and there remains the possibility that the test vehicle was carrying the higher-rated powerplant of the XUV500. While this looks improbable for now, but it all depends on how serious Mahindra intends to be with the facelift.
The facelifted Scorpio which will be launched in June 2014, is just a stop-gap measure to rein in Scorpio’s fortunes till the comprehensive all-new model arrives in 2017 in the form of an all-new Scorpio.
Also Read: List of Mahindra’s Upcoming UVs
