Vroom and sting

The Scorpio is a versatile vehicle that was in the news recently when Mahindra and Mahindra offered it as the prime minister's official car

Interiors
There is plenty of space in the cabin as long as you don't end up sitting in the third row, which is cramped for two adults. It is ideal to let children enjoy the last row. The seats are average at best. They provide fairly decent back-rest but lumbar support would have increased the comfort level. Excellent shoulder space and arm rests promise additional comfort. The front seats also provide a commanding stance. If you are not too keen on getting maximum seating space then ditch the second row bench and go for independent seats as they are very comfortable and have the additional advantage of thigh support, especially for long drives.

Tyre-Tronics
The Scorpio comes with a live tyre pressure read out which tells you when to check the tyres next. It also indicates if the air pressure is low, as well as the temperature of the tyres - all to prevent you from getting stranded.

Micro Hybrid
The environmentally conscious vehicle that ensures it conserves fuel and reduces pollution. This mechanism puts the engine on standby when it is on idle and the engine restarts when the brake pedal is pushed.

Cabin quality
The ageing quality of the cabin is quite evident as it comes with hard plastics. The control knobs appear below par.

Ride quality
The Scorpio is quite springy and can be annoying when it wallows. Though it leaps over potholes, it involves you in the motion as well. One also needs to be gentle while taking a turn as the car doesn't feel as planted on the tarmac as one would have preferred.

Driving experience
The Scorpio has enough power but shifting gears can be a task. It can steer you through slow traffic with smoothness. It is a lot more at ease in mid-range speed, the 2.2 litre diesel engine has more than enough pull power. Though gear ratios are spot on, it is an effort to slot in the stick.

Engine
The 2.2 litre, four-cylinder, mHawk diesel engine pumps out an impressive 120bhp. Though it lacks refinement, it is quick. The pick-up is not sluggish and when stepped on, the accelerator is responsive.

Price
At its price, the Mahindra Scorpio does come with many positives like spacious cabin and decent leg space, barring the third row. Even if you opt for the 8-seater, you can still slide the bench and improve the legroom. It has all basic safety features like airbags and ABS. But the quality of the interiors, which is well below par, needs to improve drastically.

• BS4 2WD-HE-Air Bag-1: Rs 11.31 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi)
• BS4 4WD-HE-Air Bag-1: Rs 12.28 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi)