Launch timed for 2023, subject to when factory can overcome supply challenges.

MORE detail about a Mahindra sports utility set for sale here next year has been released by the national distributor.

Suggestion that the Scorpio-N, an off-road capable wagon in six and seven seat formats designed to compete with the Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner and others, was first aired by MotoringNZ in mid June (https://www.motoringnz.com/news/2022/6/15/latest-mahindra-suv-on-kiwi-run).

Premium Distributors Limited, the Mahindra agent for NZ, has now confirmed the model is intended for 2023 availability, “subject to improvement in global supply chain.

Said a spokesman: “New Zealand is a priority market for us, as the Mahindra brand is well-established and represented via a robust retail network of over 20 outlets across New Zealand.”

The Scorpio-N is a new vehicle that has only a badge in common with the make’s previous SUV, the smaller XUV500.

Though pricing and final specification has yet to be sorted, the aim is to be highly price competitive, the spokesman says.

Only recently launched in India, the model comes in two grades – mid- and high-spec – in rear- and four-wheel-drive choices, with a 150kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol optional to a 128kW/380Nm (when married to a six-speed auto, 400Nm with a six-speed manual) 2.2-litre diesel, also four cylinder. The four-wheel-drive is a selectable part-time system, labelled 4 XPLOR. It has low-range and selectable on-and off-road modes.

The model was designed with input from Pininfarina’s Italy design studio and has roughly similar dimensions to a Toyota Prado.

Mahindra says Scorpio-N is expected to “recreate benchmarks in the SUV segment yet again and take forward the Mahindra legacy of building authentic, world-class SUVs with an unmissable design, thrilling performance and high-end technology”.

However, it also says this model has been “engineered as much for urban use as for off road,” so even though it is a body-on-frame design and the suspension - adaptive coil-over-spring dampers on the front and a multi-link solid axle rear end - is engineered to be robust, it is also tuned for good driving feel on seal.

Mahindra also points to it having a tight turning circle as well as it having an upmarket interior, featuring focus on comfort and entertainment features.

The high specification finish has two-tone colour schemes with leather upholstery and metal-look trim on high light areas.

The infotainment system is Mahindra’s “ArdenoX” setup and the version with the largest touchscreen is likely to be offered in conjunction with a Sony 3D surround sound system, as well as a bigger driver info display in the instrument cluster.

The seating is over three rows, the seven chair version has benches in the second and third row. The six seater places two sets of captain’s chairs, plus a bench.

Development and engineering work was carried out by teams at Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) near Chennai and Mahindra North American Technical Centre (MNATC) in the United States. A benchmark during development was the previous generation Ford Everest.

It is manufactured at a new facility at Chakan, Pune.

Uncertainty about when the model will be available reflects that the brand is coming back to speed after Covid-19 issues and the semiconductor shortage, which last year slowed production by up to 50 percent. The line is back to higher pace, but now the make is facing huge demand from its domestic customer base; the extent that it all stopped exporting for a while. The Scorpio-N is already subject to a big order list, of more than 100,000 units.

The supply challenges have also impacted on Mahindra’s current NZ product, the Pik-Up.