The Indian Army has recently made a significant procurement, placing an order for 1,850 units of the Scorpio Classic, as announced by Mahindra & Mahindra. This follows a previous order in January for 1,470 Scorpio Classic units. The SUVs are intended to be distributed among twelve regiments of the Indian Army. The Scorpio Classic is an up-graded version of the famous Scorpio model, while Mahindra also offers a brand new model is called the Scorpio N.
Currently, the Indian Army utilizes vehicles such as Tata Safari, Tata Xenon, Force Gurkha, and Maruti Suzuki Gipsy. However, the inclusion of the Scorpio Classic is expected to greatly enhance the Army's capabilities. Mahindra is anticipated to equip the Scorpio Classic with a 4x4 drivetrain, suggesting the use of an engine from the earlier generation of the 2.2-liter engine, which had a horsepower rating of approximately 140.
At present, the Scorpio Classic is powered by a 2.2-liter diesel engine generating 130 horsepower and 300 Nm of peak torque. The power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a 6-speed gearbox. However, it should be noted that the Scorpio Classic lacks a 4x4 drivetrain and an automated gearbox.
Mahindra has made several improvements and modifications to the Scorpio Classic. Compared to the previous generation, the new engine is 55 kg lighter. Mahindra claims that the engine provides 230 Nm of torque at 1,000 rpm. Additionally, the manufacturer expects a 15% improvement in fuel economy. The gearbox now incorporates cable-shift technology, which helps reduce vibrations and provides more precise and positive gear throws.
Furthermore, the suspension configuration has been enhanced and fine-tuned. All four struts of the Scorpio Classic now feature MTV-CL dampers, contributing to improved body roll control. The SUV is also equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, cornering lighting, cruise control, automatic climate control, a sunglass holder, and fabric seats with diamond patterns, among other features.
In summary, the Indian Army's fleet is set to receive a significant improvement with the acquisition of 1,850 units of the Mahindra Scorpio Classic. The advancement features and improved performance of this model are expected to enhance the Army's capabilities in various operational scenarios.