Once an ancient caravan route

that witnessed horses and Bactrian camels trudging through blinding snow, the historic Khardung La pass was made open to public motor vehicles in 1988, making it one of the highest motorable roads in the world.

Its harsh climes still sees it closed for up to eight months in a year. When it is safe for human travel in the spring and the summer, this remote and rocky mountain pass connects you to Ladakh’s heavenly Nubra Valley.

Full of sharp twists, blinding turns and the threats of the natural world around you, Khardung La remains one of the world’s most unforgiving roads. Allied to avalanches and altitude sickness, it a true test of a man. And his motorcycle. One thousand kilometres and six high altitude mountain passes later, it’s a test that the Mahindra Centuro passed with distinction.

And the same innovations that allowed the Centuro to conquer passes powers it to glide over potholes.

But we didn’t set out to create a motorcycle to master a mountain. That it happened to do so is a testament to our innate DNA of durability, of reliability.

We made it with a simple question in mind: can we build a motorcycle that offers its riders more than the ordinary? More than the usual? We questioned ourselves on how we would stand out in a space with no less than 45 brands, with a 100 variants.

“The Mahindra Centuros had proved unflagging. They never broke, never failed to start despite the cold and the height. No punctures, no hiccups. The Centuros had risen above every single one of our expectations, and every single one of the passes we intended to cross on it. There was nothing left to prove really. A thousand kilometres of proof.”
- Shubhabrata Marmar, Executive Editor, Overdrive India

Easy to manoeuvre.

Easier to maintain. Like our other vehicles, superior handling and in-built toughness comes standard in a Centuro. And its not just the rugged good looks that count. From its patented lubrications system to its five year warranty, there’s more than what meets the eye with every Centuro.

“We watched other bikes struggle, slide and fall. Our Centuros were like mountain goats by comparison. Two corners later, the only snow that remained was on the sides and our descent was rapid.”
- Shubhabrata Marmar, Executive Editor, Overdrive India

No matter where it takes you, the Centuro’s MCi-5 (Micro Chip ignited-5 curve) engine balances power and efficiency, ensuring that it goes on and on—without a drop in performance. And whether navigating tight turns or the morning traffic, its lean frame and ergonomic handlebars make sure you find your way—or make one.

Our answer was a truly innovative motorcycle, a never-say-die two-wheeler rich with the features of a four-wheeler. Made with Mahindra’s deep understanding of the Indian consumer—and the Indian road.

With its distinctive golden muscular ribs, and several firsts like a Digital Dashboard with a Distance To Empty indicator, the Centuro stands out from the crowd. But it’s features are more than just innovative. They are thoughtful, made with the rider in mind. Like India’s first remote flip-key with a light. Find Me lamps that allow you to locate it in a dark car park. Guide Lamps that remain on a few moments after you turn the motorcycle off.

Many of the Centuro’s features come from common problems faced by riders. For examples, its anti-theft alarm was a result of the statistic that a bike is reported stolen every four minutes in India.

Tough meets Tech

Rise is a call to action.

To challenge the status quo. To constantly seek new and better solutions.
And to always work to make the world a better place.

VISIT THE WEBSITE VIEW ALL STORIES

Making a Molehillof a Mountain