Welcome to Autoxchange - Feature: You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks!

Feature

Text: Dhruv Behl
Images: Anamit Sen

Engine:
Fuel:
Transmission:
Power:
Torque:
Acceleration:
Price:

2,179cc/in-line 4 cylinder/16 valves/common rail direct injection/turbocharged and intercooled
Diesel
5 speed Manual/Rear Wheel Drive
120bhp @ 4000rpm
214lb/ft @ 1800 rpm
0-100 km/h – 14.8 seconds
11.00 lakhs (on-road, Delhi)

We’ve all heard the old adage, ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.’ But Mahindra believe they can, and with the mHawk they intend to prove it.

The Mahindra Scorpio has been around in essentially the same form for so long (since 2002) it’s like an old friend. And while that works in its favor, in a world where fashions change faster than seasons, it’s getting a little long in the tooth. Earlier this year, M&M took cognizance of this, and breathed fresh life into the Scorpio with the introduction of the mHawk – giving it a new engine and a slew of new technology.

After having been suitably impressed with one of the first generation Scorpios, which has even been to Leh and back as part of its grueling role as ‘service car’ in several cross country rallies, we recently took delivery of a brand new Scorpio mHawk.

This will serve multiple functions. Firstly, it’ll demonstrate whether or not this technology actually gives it a new lease of life. It’ll also help explain the correct break-in procedure for a new engine. And lastly, it’ll return to the pages of this magazine on a regular basis to let you know exactly what it’s like to live with.

The Driving Experience



At the heart of the mHawk is an all-new 2.2 liter turbocharged and intercooled common-rail diesel engine with an aluminum head and four valves per cylinder. While it’s smaller in displacement than the 2.6 liters of the standard Scorpio, it’s also about 80 kilos lighter and produces 5 more horsepower, brining it up to 120bhp. All of this means it reaches 100km/h in 14.8 seconds – almost 2 seconds faster than its predecessor. It’s also more fuel efficient as well. Interestingly, the mHawk shares an engine block with its main rival, the Tata Safari. Both M&M and Tata Motors work with Austrian powertrain expert, AVL, for development. The new engine is considerably smoother than the older 2.6 liter unit. It’s also more silent. That being the case, it could still do with better engine mounts to ensure less vibration in the cabin at idle. On the move, though, it’s a great deal more refined with an effortless surge of power once you approach the 2,000rpm mark. While the older engine also had respectable power, the new 2.2 liter unit is much more responsive and makes power delivery seem far easier than before.

Hood scoop is now functional as it feeds air to a top mounted intercooler		mHwak comes with ABS (Anti Lock Braking)

The intercooler appears trapped behind the plastic engine cover		The rest of the driving experience is also more refined. The gear lever still requires a positive shift but slots in nicely. The clutch is much lighter, which helps when sitting in traffic. The brakes now have the benefit of ABS (Anti Lock Braking). The spring and damper settings have been readjusted to counter the inherent pogo-stick characteristics of the Scorpio. And while you still wouldn’t want to tread over a bad road following a heavy lunch, the ride quality is better – it still bounces, but less so, and only when provoked. The combined effect of a tweaked suspension and lighter engine mean the mHawk also handles corners with more poise than the Scorpio of old. On the road, then, it’s lighter on its feet and easier to drive.