The replacement for the 20-year-old Pik Up is designed foremost for export tastes.

TIMING of sign-off for regional availability has yet to be sorted, but with Mahindra having confirmed New Zealand is among export markets for a just-unveiled new one tonne ute, the local agent is really working out how to place and price it.

“We should have some information in the next couple of weeks,” a Mahindra New Zealand spokesperson said.

Revealed at the firm’s Independence Day event in Mumbai on August 15, the Lifestyler succeeds the Pik-Up, which lasted for 20 years and came to New Zealand.

Taking cues from a concept called Global Pik Up shown in 2023, the model sits on a stretched, updated version of the ladder-frame platform used by the Scorpio SUV sold here, with double wishbone front and leaf-sprung rear suspension. It also has Scorpio’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel turbodiesel, expected to be tuned to around 130kW and 450Nm, with the usual manual and automatic transmissions and rear-drive and four-by-four choices.

Mahindra enforces Lifestyler is a distinct product rather than an SUV with a tray and says it will meet full ute credential in having 3500kg braked towing and a one-tonne payload to match or better the likes of the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.

In India it will identify as Scorpio Lifestyler, but that’ll simplify to Lifestyler here.

Themed editions were at the reveal. The Reef (above) is about surf and beach life, the Trail edition enhances off-roading credential with a snorkel, side steps and aggressive all-terrain tyres and the Valley edition is a weekday work, weekend fun edition aimed at rural users.

In a media share, Mahindra said Lifestyler is its first vehicle developed to prioritise global markets over the home market. The company studied ute usages in South Africa and Australia and is keen to achieve decent ANCAP compliance.

The vision from the outset was “a world-class global pickup that raises the bar for the segment” while staying true to the brand’s strengths in capability and value says R ‘Velu’ Velusamy, Mahindra’s president for automotive technology and product development.