Bangalore: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), the leader in the UV segment in India, today launched the Scorpio Automatic which incorporates a fully automatic 6-speed gear box and the powerful 2.2 litre mHawk engine. Scorpio is the first Indian brand and the first SUV in its class to offer a 6-speed fully Automatic Transmission.

This new edition of one of India’s most loved SUVs is equipped with in-built intelligent driving modes for an effortless drive and a wide array of smart features, giving the Scorpio an even greater competitive edge in its segment. The new Scorpio Automatic is available in VLS and VLX variants and is priced from Rs. 10.34 lakhs onwards, ex-showroom price Bangalore.

'The new Scorpio Automatic has been designed to make driving an effortless experience, allowing one to focus on the drive rather than gear selection. The car’s intelligent driving modes provide greater vehicle control in a variety of conditions, be it stop-and-go traffic, slippery roads or steep inclines. Moreover, the Automatic is powered by the technologically superior mHawk engine which ensures a smoother drive and better fuel efficiency,' said Dr. Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

The Scorpio Automatic has a fully electronically controlled automatic gearbox which results in shorter shift times and hence, improved drivability. This is a major technological improvement over earlier Automatics which were hydraulic controlled.

The Scorpio Automatic is also remarkably low maintenance due to several advantages. The transmission is permanently sealed and does not require an oil change throughout its life. The Automatic also incorporates an adaptive strategy to maintain optimum shift quality through the entire life of the transmission. An inbuilt overheat self-protection strategy and a high self-diagnostic capability are additional benefits.

In addition to eliminating the need for constant gear changes, the Scorpio Automatic allows easy manoeuvrability in heavy traffic, anti roll-back when in ‘Drive’ mode and also ensures that the engine does not stall.

The Scorpio Automatic’s intelligent driving modes allow the driver to tackle various driving conditions with ease. These include User Engaged Modes and Auto Engaged Modes.

User Engaged Modes

• Normal Mode ‘N’ – A mode for ordinary driving conditions with optimised fuel management
• Winter Mode ‘W’ – Meant for use on ice and slippery or unstable road conditions. This mode regulates torque at the wheels, maintaining high stability in adverse conditions
• Manual / Engine Brake Mode ‘M’ – This mode selects the lowest possible gear for a defined vehicle speed, utilising engine braking for better control on steep downhill descents

Auto Engaged Modes

• Up and Downhill Modes – In this mode the control unit detects the gradient automatically and then implements the respective shift schedule. The detection is instant, thus improving drivability.
• Fast-Off Mode – In case of quick release of the pedal, the transmission will hold the current gear for a preset time period, thus avoiding unnecessary rapid gear shifts.

The new Scorpio Automatic also features the mHawk engine which is a hallmark of M&M’s innovative cutting edge technology. A technologically superior, more refined and more fuel efficient engine, it puts serious power at the driver’s command.

Scorpio Automatic safety features:

• Overheat Protection – Protects the transmission in case of overheating due to any malfunction
• Reverse Lock Out – Locks reverse drive until predefined safety conditions of speed and engine RPM are met
• BTSI (Brake Transmission Shift Interlock) - Prevents the gear lever from coming out of ‘Park’ (P) position unless the brake pedal is depressed
• Additional safety features include a crash protection crumple zone, child locks and ABS (Anti-lock braking system).
• Both the VLX and the VLS variants incorporate a vehicle security and voice assist system, as well as an audio system with a CD/MP3 player, pen drive and SD Card compatibility to keep you entertained while on the move. The VLX also features intelligent front wipers which start as soon as they sense a certain amount of rain, with the wiping frequency changing according to the intensity of rain; and headlamps which sense changes in ambient light and automatically turn on or off depending on the light levels.

Since its launch, the Scorpio has not only emerged as the leader in the UV (Utility Vehicle) segment in India but has also won widespread industry acclaim. It was recently declared an ‘Olympic Brand’, i.e., a brand that is 'well known, well loved and has a large core following.' It has also won several prestigious awards from the automotive media, including the CNBC Autocar Car of the Year Award, BBC Wheels Best SUV of the Year and Best Car of the Year awards and the BS Motoring Car of the Year Award.

About The Mahindra Group

The US $6 billion Mahindra Group is among the top 10 industrial houses in India. Mahindra & Mahindra is the only Indian company among the top tractor brands in the world. Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector has recently won the Japan Quality Medal, the only tractor company worldwide to be bestowed this honour. It also holds the distinction of being the only tractor company worldwide to win the Deming Prize. Mahindra is the market leader in multi-utility vehicles in India. It made a milestone entry into the passenger car segment with the Logan.

The Group has a leading presence in key sectors of the Indian economy, including the financial services, trade and logistics, automotive components, information technology, and infrastructure development.

Mahindra's Farm Equipment Sector has recently won the Japan Quality Medal, the only tractor company worldwide to be bestowed this honour. It also holds the distinction of being the only tractor company worldwide to win the Deming Prize. The US based Reputation Institute recently ranked Mahindra among the top 10 Indian companies in its Global 200: The World's Best Corporate Reputation list.