Safety push for Mahindra Scorpio

MAHINDRA has confirmed it will launch an updated version of the Scorpio 4x4 SUV with advanced safety technology, in a move that will help the company keep up with established rivals.

The new-generation Mahindra Scorpio off-roader launched in Australia less than two months ago, but curiously arrived with no active safety technology – commonly known as advanced driver assist systems, or ADAS – fitted to the vehicle at all.

Mahindra’s just-launched XUV700 addresses the safety technology shortfall to a large degree, with an array of ADAS functions including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and speed sign recognition.

The XUV700 does not, however, have a traditional blind-spot monitoring system, nor rear cross-traffic alert, with only the top-spec version adding a blind-spot camera monitor, similar to that seen as a supplementary technology in some Kia, Hyundai and Genesis products.

Neither Mahindra vehicle has been tested by safety authorities ANCAP or Euro NCAP, however each does have a five-star rating for adult occupant protection as handed down by Global NCAP, a program designed to improve the safety standards of vehicles on the roads of developing nations. That testing, however, does not factor in ADAS technology.

Veejay Nakra, president of automotive for Mahindra, told GoAuto at the launch event for the XUV700 that there has been feedback from customers (and media) that will be addressed when it comes to the safety technology offering in the Scorpio.

“Yes, absolutely. We've got the feedback. And as a part of our mid-cycle enhancements cycle for Scorpio, we are looking at bringing in many of the technology and safety features which are on XUV700 also on the Scorpio,” said Mr Nakra.

Mahindra Australia automotive national manager, Ankit Taneja, added that the brand is working to add more technology where possible.

“We do have a five-star Global NCAP on both the products, Scorpio as well as XUV700,” he said.

“Apart from that there are so many safety-related features, whether it is the body strength, the kind of steel used; high tensile steel, ultra high-strength steel. The ESB features, ADAS features … are in the XUV700 … So, and as Veejay mentioned earlier, we are already engaging with the ANCAP team, their leadership team and trying to understand the roadmap and what goes behind for us to do the ANCAP testing going forward.”

One of the odd omissions for the Scorpio range in Australia is the lack of a second-row bench seat, which means the car is offered with a three-row, six-seat layout only.

The brand would not confirm if this is due to a seat belt placement issue – it is understood that the Indian market Scoprio-N models have a lap-only centre rear seatbelt – but Mr Taneja did confirm that the brand will offer a bench-seat version of the Scorpio as part of a “product upgrade”, possibly within a year or so.

Mahindra also confirmed earlier reports that the XUV700 had been homologated without auto emergency braking, but it has now been homologated with its onboard ADAS technology to officially meet the current ADR requirements.