Big, burly SUVs are often associated with having massive diesel powertrains. However, almost every SUV maker offers a petrol trim option besides the diesel powertrain that makes the most sense on paper. Take the Mahindra Scorpio-N, for example. The petrol manual powertrain option offers good performance and isn’t as expensive as the similarly performing diesel powertrain version. Especially the Z8 Select variant we are driving costs a whopping ₹1.65 lakh less than the respective Z8 petrol manual variant. And it does not lose a lot of features too. On paper, this is one of the most value-for-money Scorpio-N variants to go for, but do the missing features dilute its driving experience in the real world?
Let’s first look at the features the Z8 Select misses out on over the Z8 variant. You do not get chrome door handles, an anti-pinch front passenger window, auto-folding ORVMs, automatic headlamps and wipers, dual-zone climate control, a tyre pressure monitor, and an engine start/stop button. The Z8 Select variant is feature-packed with Adrenox connected car tech accessible through an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, besides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also gets a sunroof, reversing camera, and leatherette seats. In terms of safety, the Z8 Select variant features six airbags, ESC, Hill Hold and Hill Descent control, ABS and EBD, as well as ISOFIX compatibility. In fact, the Scorpio-N scored a 5-star safety rating in Global NCAP safety tests for adult occupant protection.
The Scorpio-N is quite a looker and helping its butch presence are the 17-inch machined alloys which not only fill up the wheel wells nicely but also offer a better ride quality than the 18-inchers on the top Z8 L model. In terms of looks and features, the Scorpio-N Z8 variant comes across as quite the VFM proposition.
Interestingly, the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol powertrain powering the Scorpio-N manual variant is more powerful than the diesel manual powertrain. It delivers a healthy 203PS and 370Nm (175PS/370Nm on the diesel). It is a potent powertrain that impresses with its performance and responsiveness. In fact, the performance is enough not only to effortlessly lug the close to two-tonne SUV but also hustle to triple-digit speeds in quick time. More impressive is the motor’s tractability — you can easily drive it in third gear most of the time in the city. You barely feel the turbo lag even in higher gears and this, coupled with the performance, makes it effortless to overtake cars on the highways at speed.
In city driving, we saw the fuel-efficiency readout close to 8kmpl. That’s a fair number given the size of the SUV and the performance on offer, and you can expect between eight and 10kmpl in city running and around 13-15kmpl in highway running.
The six-speed gearbox, while offering short throws and positive shifts, isn’t as slick as some of the gearboxes seen in Japanese powertrains. That said, it does not take much effort to shift either and, coupled with the light clutch that impresses with its smooth modulation, driving the Scorpio-N manual in the city feels effortless.
Helping this feeling is the light steering which makes it quite easy to steer the SUV in tight spaces, despite its size. In fact, driving the Scorpio-N in the city is as easy as it gets. You have a commanding all-around view of things, a responsive motor and precise steering to get going.
The Scorpio-N sits on a ladder-frame but it has a well dialled-in suspension which helps it both ride and handle better. It does display body roll in corners given the tall stance, but it is well contained and the SUV stays true to its line in corners as long as you don’t overdo it. The grip offered by the tyres and precise steering also helps boost confidence.
The ride has a bit of bounciness at low speeds but it gets ironed out as speeds rise, improving comfort. Prices for the petrol manual start from Rs 13.85 lakh ex-showroom. While diesel SUVs are the preferred choice for customers, the petrol variant in the Mahindra Scorpio-N makes a strong case for itself as a VFM SUV. It is powerful, tractable, refined and responsive. In fact, the petrol motor’s strengths add a level of sophistication the Scorpio-N’s butch exteriors. Like a match made in heaven.
