Maxabout Review

First Indian Hybrid

Mahindra Scorpio's design has been an eye-catcher among SUVs and has bagged many an award for its styling. Designed completely in-house by Mahindra, it has been one of the major success stories in India. The hybrid Scorpio is also interesting in that it will be a diesel-electric hybrid, not a petrol eletric one as is generally the case abroad. Mahindra has announced that the hybrid Scorpio will be launched commercially in the Indian market over the next two years.

The Mahindra Scorpio Hybrid will be very much similar in looks with the normal Scorpio that has been running on the roads till now. Company has also indicated that the hybrid Scorpio would not be much mroe expensive that the regular Scorpio. It will meld common rail diesel technology with an electric motor.

The vehicle will be using a diesel and electric hybrid and will run in four different modes. These modes are:

• Motor assist mode
• Generator mode
• Regenerative braking mode
• Idle charging mode.

Main Features of Scorpio Hybrid are:

2.2 Liter, I-4, second generation diesel common rail engine with 85 kW and 270 Nm ratings
• 6-speed automatic transmission
• 30 kW (peak) motor with max torque of 270 Nm (peak) and a max speed 8500 rpm
• 288V, 8.4 Ah NiMH battery
• Quick cold start with e-motor assist

In the Mahindra Scorpio Hybrid motor assist mode the vehicle is powered by both the motor that runs on electricity and the combustion engine. When the vehicle runs on the Mahindra Scorpio Hybrid generator mode the power is derived from the combustion engine and the batteries get charged. The integration of the CRDI diesel engine and the electric motor will be completely seamless and transparent. The hybrid Scorpio is expected to offer greater fuel efficiency - almost 16 kilometers per liter. Scorpio's interiors look quite modern with a nicely rounded and organic-looking dashboard with large buttons and knobs. The front seats are pretty comfortable and offer the best lower back support.

The Scorpio's chassis is extremely rigid and stiff and you don't get any rattles. The suspension is very supple and in city traffic or at low speeds, it glides over the road, the soft suspension working noiselessly to filter out the bumps. Even on rough or bad road, at least when driven at low speeds, the suspension copes pretty well. The steering and other controls are pretty light, which makes it o easy to drive in town. There are certain design weaknesses, especially at the rear where it looks relatively boxy, as well as the upright stance and the third row is also cramped and tall passengers are also short on headroom.

Also the small central console controls and buttons are often inaccessible while driving the car. Air con vents in between the front seats are effective cooling for rear passengers. With the Mahindra Scorpio Hybrid, Mahindra wishes to join the various other companies that are producing hybrid cars in order to curb on the expenses that are met in maintaining a car that runs ordinarily on fuel. When some one uses a hybrid car their expenses are reduced greatly and it is found that they are able to save money and also at the same time get a good performance from their hybrid cars. The Mahindra Scorpio Hybrid definitely will register great sales in the market.