Just months after Tata launched its range of vehicles on to the South African market, rival Indian auto maker, Mahindra, has arrived in South Africa.
Launched to the media at Gerotek last week, the Bolero and Scorpio will no doubt find themselves competing head on against the more established brands in the market, although at a slightly different level and price too.
The Bolero is a multi-purpose utility vehicle available in single or double cab, and has a 2 498cc diesel engine, which churns out 69kW of power at 4 150rpm, while 210Nm of torque is developed at 2 500rpm from the four-cylinder diesel motor.
While the finish of the Bolero is not quite in the league of other major local players, it certainly performed well over the undulating obstacles it was faced with at Gerotek, although a little more power would be welcome.
The ride quality is hard, as one would expect from a load lugger, and it comes standard with air-conditioning, power steering, central locking and CD player and, in the case of the double cab, will seat five.
Transmission is via a five-speed manual box, and its ratios seem to be well suited to its intended use.
The turning circle is not the greatest, but if it can handle Indian conditions, South Africa will be a cakewalk.
Access to the engine bay and various components will make emergency repairs easy too.
Suspension is the tried and tested leaf spring/shock absorber upfront. A torsion bar with stabilisers and shock absorbers do the work upfront. Discs at the front and drums at the rear provide the stopping power, while the payload is rated at 885kg.
In summary, it is a no-frills, down-to-earth workhorse, and will find itself very popular with agriculturists, construction companies or anywhere where budget and toughness find themselves at the top of the requirement list.
The more upmarket and refined Scorpio will no doubt find a unique niche, too, and it comes with a choice of two engines, or in two-wheel- or four-wheel-drive derivatives.
The first of the engines is a Renault-derived petrol four-cylinder motor, which develops a sensible 81kW at 5 500rpm, while torque is rated 183Nm, developed at 3 800rpm.
The second engine is a turbocharged diesel unit and is obviously the more desirous of the two in that it develops 81kW at 3 800rpm, while torque is much higher at 183Nm. This is developed at a very low 1 800rpm by the 1 998cc, four-cylinder motor.
Like the Bolero, the Scorpio hasn’t the greatest of turning circles, but is more comfortable in off-road conditions. Approach and departure angles were quite good, too, while the general finish of the vehicle is more than acceptable.
Both models use a five-speed manual box, while four-wheel drive, high and low ratio, are selected via a neat rotary switch near the gear lever.
Suspension configuration in the case of the four-wheel drive version is independent via coil springs and anti-roll bars at the front and rear, while the two-wheel-drive version has independent suspension with coil springs and anti-rolls bars in the front. The rear is via leaf springs.
Ventilated discs do duty at the front of both models, while drums provide stopping power aft.
Standard items in the Scorpio include power steering, air-conditioning, electric windows, central locking, CD/radio, front and rear foglamps, seat belt warning and remote fuel cap.
Space is generous and the Scorpio will accommodate eight adults.
Anti-lock braking system and air-bags are absent, although these are likely to follow in the next generation.
The Mahindra Scorpio starts at R180 000 for the 4×2 and R215 000 for the 4×4; the rugged Mahindra Bolero bakkie at R148 000 for the single cab 4×4 and R160 000 for the double cab 4×4. The guarantee is 50 000km or two years.
The company, based in Pretoria, plans to use South Africa as a marketing springboard into the rest of the continent. Vehicle dealerships have been set up in Boksburg, Randburg and Pretoria. Others will soon open in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.