Mahindra Roxor Reviews

The general feeling last year was that this time the jig was up for Korea, which would be forced to step aside for Mahindra to become importer of the cheapest 4x4s and SUVs.But today Mahindra still remains largely unknown in Australia, and their Scorpion SUV is yet to reach our shores. However they can claim to produce the cheapest ute available here – the Pik-Up.VARIANTS AND DRIVETRAINS The Pik-Up is available in two single cab and two dual cab variants, one of which was our test car. All models are powered by a four cylinder 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine that develops what on paper seems to be a minuscule 79kW at 3800rpm but an adequate 247Nm of torque at 1800-2200rpm, which gets to the wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.For offroad versions, there is an automatic locking system for the front hubs, a genuine dual range transfer car, with part-time four-wheel drive and the ability to switch to high-four `on the fly’.WORK CAPACITY With a one tonne payload for the 1489 x 1520 x 550 cargo box and a 2.5 tonne towing capacity, the Pik-Up competes well with more expensive vehicles in its class.EXTERIOR For a car this size – at over five metres long and nearly two metres high and wide – it has a distinct lack of gentle angles, making look even bigger than it is (if that’s at all possible) and giving it a harsh, boxy, somewhat ungainly appearance. But the cargo tray is large and deep, and promises to cope with large amounts of either weekday tools or weekend toys.INTERIOR The interior styling is basic and mostly dark greys, with the main styling feature two large almond-eye shaped vents that might have fallen off an alien costume in the Bollywood wardrobe department. There’s no real sense of style, and it’s no surprise they left interior shots out of the brochure.But the front seats are supportive and there’s sufficient room in the back for two medium-sized adults to sit comfortably without fear of giving the driver or passenger an impromptu Swedish massage.There’s also quite a bit of storage space scattered around – cupholders, door bins and the like – although the centre arrangement doesn’t allow for a lidded bin that can become an armrest.But the main lack is that the steering is tilt-change only, which made finding the right driving position difficult without the benefit of reach adjustment on the column.EQUIPMENTThe standard list includes all the usual powered bits, plus alarm, immobiliser, foglights, delayed shut-off headlights and side steps.The audio system is CD/MP3 compatible with USB and SD card ports and an ipod jack. It also comes with a remote control which may initially satisfy a desire for novelty in an otherwise plain vehicle, but will probably soon get lost and/or become the catalyst of endless bickering among the kids.LIVING WITH IT Pincott says In urban areas, the Mahindra’s size turns you into a far more careful driver. You become very aware of how close you are to walls, bollards and other cars when parking or in multiple lanes.But this size also makes for a lot of usable interior room, and a startlingly high roof that the agents pointed out would easily accommodate an Akubra-hatted head. And that kind of feature will probably be one of the main keys to Mahindra sales here. Sure, you can use it around town for leisure or household chores. But it’s natural habitat is the worksite and the farm.The load area is massive, which will be attractive to anybody who has to lug a large amount of tools or cargo – and at the same time you could easily picture a jetski, motocrosser or family of bicycles in there.The fit-out is utilitarian, and there’s no point in pretending that the surfaces are prestige materials. But it’s well equipped, and touches like the USB interface and remote control are not only novel but can add to the safety factor by keeping the driver’s hands on the wheel when the family is on board.The diesel engine sounds very agricultural, especially at idle, but there was no lack of effort to push the ute around – albeit we didn’t get the chance to load it up. The shift action on the long throw gear lever is likewise unsophisticated. But at the end of the day, this is a light commercial vehicle rather than a passenger car. And one that is priced and equipped to attract the market.VERDICT: 7.4/10Wigley says The Pik-Up has good visibility for its size and feels like a substantial car for the money. There are no noticeable rattles but road noise is a little loud coming in through the cabin floor from the tyres. The side mirrors also catch the wind and on the freeway, it becomes difficult to hold a conversation without repeating yourself.The engine won’t get you around at speed but it will do the job sufficiently without you having to want for too much more.Although the gear changes were generally easy and smooth, we did have a few crunches dropping down to third. The long gear stick gave the car a rural quality – like driving the tractor at grandads farm – but in a good way.Steering was responsive and true but on the odd occasion, the front wheels yelped on take off from an incline, and tended to bleat if cornering too fast.Generally though, the drive was a pleasant surprise – smooth, responsive and comfortable.The Pik-Up doesn’t pin its hopes of success on styling. But the positive you take from that is a quiet confidence that the important stuff — the engine, the ride and handling, the payload and towing capability — that really should matter in a car like this, is a bargain for the outlay.For a basic workhorse utility, it competes respectably with other vehicles in its class and it’s cheap. It doesn’t need to be attractive but it certainly wouldn’t hurt.VERDICT: 6.9/10Halligan says It was hard to miss the Mahindra’s bulk in the car park. My initial impression — utilitarian and spacious. It reminded me of a G-Class Benz from many years ago, before they became trendy and moved upmarket. Navigating my way out of the car park, which admittedly is more of a rabbit warren than most, I thought I was going to take out a few fire sprinklers. This thing is tall.I had to take two bites at the exit ramp, proving that the steering lock is not overly generous but then again I suspect no worse than any of its competitors.I’ve often wondered why the hell anyone would want to drive a 4wd in the city — or the burbs for that matter. A run in the high and wide Mahindra revealed one of the attractions is that you can look down at others, giving you a wonderful — but false — sense of security.The diesel accelerates well, torque seems good and it tracks well. It a 4 door, 4WD tradies’ ute and I’m driving it the same way I drive everything else, as if it’s a sportscar. It’s coping OK.Accelerating showed it’s amazing what you can get out of 79kw. The ute feels fine and if my mind starts to wander I have to make a concerted effort to keep my speed down.There’s not a great deal of wind rush even with the window down, but quite a bit coming from the heating system. But then again, this thing is basically a truck.It’s comfortable enough, and the seats didn’t give me a hard time although — again trucklike — it has me sitting much more upright than I like to be.My wife likes 4WDs because she feels safe in them. I feel the opposite. More room to hit your head with more time for your head to accelerate before it touches anything — and less effort in design from the engineers.Overall, the Pik-Up is competent, nothing bad to report except a little understeer on fast curves and the tail is a little prone to move out when taking a tight intersection turn too quickly. But this was more to do with my driving outside of the normal envelope of the vehicle.It fits its purpose well, but that purpose is specific. It’s a tradies’ work vehicle that can be used on occasions to transport the family around locally.I wouldn’t buy one however for the same reason I wouldn’t buy a Hi-Lux, Navarra, Patrol, Landcruiser, I don’t feel safe in them and I worry about how much damage they can inflict on others.But if you are in the market for a workhorse I would definitely put it on your research list.VERDICT: 7.1/10 

Critics argue they are because many utes can't match a sedan when it comes to features like side airbags. The Australian Automobile Association has taken up the fight to pressure vehicle makers to lift their game. The powerful AAA wants state and federal governments to ensure their workers drive vehicles that have a minimum four-star safety rating. The Tasmanian Government now has a four-star standard for its buying policy and is leading the way nationally. The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) last week released its latest safety ratings for utes. Only one of the four tested — the Holden Commodore — rated four stars. Nissan's Navara and Mazda's BT50 managed a three-star rating (the Nissan was tested in Europe) and the Indian-made Mahindra Pik-Up only scored two stars. Utes tested from January 1 this year will not score a five-star rating unless they come with electronic stability control as standard equipment. ANCAP chair Lauchlan McIntosh said the performance of the Holden ute was a sign that manufacturers could design and build models with better occupant protection. “We are seeing more and more four and five-star vehicles on the Australian market nowadays, and we would expect that a utility vehicle should earn a five-star rating in the near future,” he said. However, more work needed to be done. “Many utes are lacking in basic occupant protection, which is an occupational health and safety concern for drivers of these vehicles. Unfortunately these vehicles are also often bought for family use.” Ford's Ranger ute is based on the Mazda BT50 and is expected to have similar crashworthiness. The frontal offset crash by ANCAP left the passenger compartment severely deformed, with the steering column, dashboard components and park brake lever all potential sources of injury. After a poor result from Euro NCAP, Nissan upgraded the airbag performance of the Navara ute and is now fitting new triggering software to utes sold in this country. The Mahindra Pik-Up, which only rated two stars, had minimal safety features and, despite the dual-cab configuration that was popular with families, did not include top tether anchorages for child restraints, McIntosh said. “Under Australian regulations these are optional on this style of vehicle, which can be classified as commercial,” he said. “Mahindra has advised ANCAP it will be providing driver and passenger airbags in its 2008 models and the anchorages will be a standard design feature from next year.  

Forty Mahindra vehicles recently completed the 41st Mahindra Great Escape, an annual non-competitive rally in India started in 1996. This year the Great Escape crossed the Great Thar Desert. Now TMI Pacific, Australian distributor of the Mahindra Pik-Up utility, is planning its own version of the Indian trek. The local event will also be called the Mahindra Great Escape, and will involve dealers, customers, media and other stakeholders TMI Pacific chief operations officer Claire Tynan took part in the Indian adventure, driving a 4WD Scorpio. "It was an absolutely exhilarating experience," she said. "The drive was a testament to the capability of the Mahindra vehicles when put to the test, while the well-thought-out track only added to the challenge." The Scorpio, built on the same platform as the Pik-Up, was among six Mahindra models that took part in the adventure. The route this year covered sand dunes, rocky patches, steep inclines and drops. As well as the national Great Escape held in Rajasthan every year, Mahindra also conducts a series of regional Great Escapes in various parts of India. Tynan said details of the Australian adventure had not yet been confirmed. In Queensland, Mahindra is sold at Fraser Agricultural in Proserpine and at Sunshine Coast Mahindra.  

Carmakers from emerging market countries have revealed their intentions at the Frankfurt Motor Show, even though their presence had been discreet compared with the European, Japanese and US giants.As car sales stagnate in those three regions, manufacturers have turned towards China, India and Russia, all of which had exhibitors present at the fair. China sent the biggest delegation, with 44 stands that included carmakers as well as parts companies.Two years ago the Chinese had a timid presence at the show but that changed this year. For most Chinese auto companies, however, coming to the shows was “a question of getting a foot into the European and US market,” says Hartwig Hirtz, who imports cars to Germany for Brilliance, a major Chinese brand. He sold his first models this year and awaits European certification to attack 17 other markets in 2008, with an annual sales target of 15,000 units.But getting started was not easy. In addition to charges of copyright violations, some Chinese cars have had catastrophic results in crash tests. “The Chinese might not have taken European security obligations seriously enough,” Hirtz says.For Elisabeth Young, president of Asie Auto which imports Brilliance in France, the short-term Chinese target is to show they can do as well as the Europeans. “It's important as well for the domestic market, which is very competitive, and where clients still favour European and American brands,” she says. “Within 10 years, they want to be among the world's biggest.”India, meanwhile was much more discreet, with no cars and just a few stands squeezed in next to Czech exhibitions, displaying the green, white and orange national flag.India has nonetheless been making noises. Tata Motors is mulling a bid for the British luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover, which might be sold by Ford. Another Indian group, Mahindra, has also been suggested as a possible bidder for the British companies.As for the Russians, Lada remained their only brand on display, and included the Niva four-wheel-drive vehicle.Lada first appeared in Frankfurt in 1970 and is reasonably well implanted in Europe, where it sold 25,000 cars last year. “We have a traditional clientele,” a spokesman says. “It's a niche market.” It mainly attracts those who have less to spend, but is a market in which Renault has nonetheless achieved considerable success with its Romanian-built Logan. “On this point, we are unbeatable,” says Benoit Chambon, spokesman for AZ-Motors which will import Shuanghuan cars to France. 

The Pik-Up ute is the Indian company's first crack at the Aussie market; it may be flawed but between you and me, it's not that bad.Our test vehicle was the top of the range 4x4 dual cab ute priced from $29,990. That's $3000 less than its nearest competitor, SsangYong's Actyon Sports and $8000 clear of its cheapest Japanese rival, that is if you don't count Musso which is in the final stages of run-out.But, for a clearer picture, you really need to study the specification and equipment lists for both vehicles.The Pik-Up comes with a three-year, 100,000km warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance for the first 12 months. Like all of Mahindra's utes (4x2 and single cab versions are also available) the Pik-Up is powered by a four-cylinder 2.5-litre common rail, intercooled turbo diesel.It's an in-house design developed in conjunction with Austrian powertrain engineers AVL. The diesel delivers 79kW of power and 247Nm of torque from a low 1800rpm and meets Euro IV emission standards.Fuel economy from the 80-litre tank is rated at 9.9 litres/100km. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, however auto is not available.The Pik-Up is targeted at the lower end of the market: farmers, tradies and the like who want a low-cost vehicle they can run into the ground.The all-important tub on the back is a good-sized one, measuring 1489mm long, 1520mm wide and 550mm deep (measured inside). With independent front suspension and leaf springs under the back, it's capable of carrying a one-tonne payload and has a braked trailer rating of 2500kg.The Pik-Up features a part-time four-wheel drive system and cannot be driven on dry bitumen with four-wheel drive engaged.A limited-slip rear diff is standard. For slippery surfaces four-wheel drive can be engaged on the fly via a rotary knob located between the front seats, with auto-locking front front hubs. Although we found the transmission in our test vehicle notchy at times, the Pik-Up is reasonably easy to drive, provided you don't try to hurry things along.Keeping up with the traffic is no problem and it cruises easily on the motorway at 110km/h. Having said that, the ute's turning circle is terrible and we note it is fitted with rear drums, as well as missing out on anti-lock brakes. It also misses out on airbags and the centre rear passenger is relegated to lap-style seatbelt.Although the vehicle is fitted with power windows, the exterior mirrors must be adjusted manually (we'd gladly swap one for the other).Off-road, the Pik-Up is blessed with 210mm of ground clearance and a very low, 'crawler' first gear.Suffice to say it navigated our favourite fire trail without too much trouble, limited mainly by a lack of traction from the tyres.We'd rate it as a medium-duty four-wheel drive. As for reliability, only time will tell.Standard gear includes air, keyless entry and a Kenwood sound system with USB and SD card ports. Side steps, front and rear 12-volt power outlets and an alarm are also fitted, but alloys are extra. A full-size spare is under the rear.

Dick Honan, the man who sparked the political debate that led to oil companies being forced to offer motorists ethanol/petrol blends, has won again.BP announced yesterday it had contracted with Mr Honan's Manildra Group for the supply of 40 million litres of ethanol during the next year, with the possibility of extending the agreement for a further two years.Manildra Group is Australia's biggest producer of ethanol, which is a by-product of its wheat-based industrial starch business, based at Bomaderry in southeastern NSW.For years Mr Honan conducted an acrimonious debate with the major oil companies, accusing them of refusing to supply him with wholesale supplies of petrol so that he could distribute a 20 per cent ethanol petrol blend.The use of ethanol reduces the petroleum industry's share of the fuel market.In 2003, it was revealed that Mr Honan had met secretly with Prime Minister John Howard in August 2002 before the Government introduced a scheme under which ethanol would not attract excise until 2011, thus destroying an ethanol import market.That policy was designed to force oil companies to supply ethanol blends, so that the Government's uncosted 2002 federal election promise to develop biofuels industry of 350 million litres a year by 2010, originally seen as a boost to the struggling sugar industry, which could be achieved.While the federal Government has encouraged oil companies to blend ethanol with petrol, up to a maximum of 10 per cent, the NSW Government has mandated a 2 per cent ethanol level across the product range from October 1.Oil company representatives said yesterday this was not achievable across the whole of the retail business, as many petrol distributors and wholesalers would not be ready in time.Effectively, the switch to E10 blends will see the gradual wind-back of the existing 91-octane unleaded petrol, with the ethanol blends having octane ratings of about 94 , making them compatible with new, fuel-efficient car engines.BP said yesterday that, as a result of its deal with Manildra, it would offer new BP Unleaded 91 to NSW motorists at a 3c a litre discount through its Biorewards program.Currently, BP's 88 sites across Queensland, NSW and the ACT are being supplied with the new fuel. By the end of the year all 50 BP branded service stations in NSW will be selling the new product in place of regular unleaded petrol.BP Australia president Gerry Hueston said the company's actions demonstrated its commitment to create a sustainable future for biofuels in Australia.Both Shell and Caltex said yesterday that BP was well behind in supplying ethanol-petrol blends across Australia. 

New cars as cheap as $10,990 are about to zoom into the Australian market.Chinese models will be leading the way and are expected to shake up the local motoring scene, the way Korean cars did in the 1990s and Japanese makes in the 1970s.Budget-priced vehicles are also coming from India, Italy, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.China has hundreds of car makers with names such as Chery, Geely, Great Wall Motors, Nanjing, Hafei, Zhongxing, Zhonghua, Brilliance China and Shanghai Automotive.However, some of the Chinese models have fared poorly in European crash testing.The Brilliance BS6 sedan got only one star out of a possible five when tested last month, while an SUV Landwind made by Jiangling Motors scored a zero.It was the worst result in 20 years of testing.Details of what Chinese makes will be released here are being kept secret by executives of the companies which will join the invasion.The smaller Chinese cars are expected to start at $10,990.Industry observers agree and expect the Chinese strategy will be for cars to be priced under their Korean equivalents, which have recently been as low as $12,990 in order to get a footing in the crowded market.The arrival of the first Chinese-brand cars is being handled by Ateco Automotive, an independent importer which already brings in Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Citroen, Ferrari and Maserati.The deal is being masterminded by Ric Hull, the executive involved in establishing all the major Korean brands including Hyundai, Daewoo and Kia in Australia.Ateco spokesman Edward Rowe said Chinese cars could reach Australian showrooms by mid-2008. “We're still working on it. We're talking to specific companies but there is a confidentiality agreement in place,” he said.Rowe says the plan was to start Chinese imports with small cars, then increase the range. “Ultimately there will be a full range of cars and commercial vehicles,” he said.Chrysler has made a deal with Chery for a Chinese-made small car to be exported to the US and Canada.An Indian brand Mahindra went on sale in NSW last month and plans to open a Queensland dealer network by September.A spokeswoman said: “Talks are under way with a number of dealers. Queensland will be the next market for Mahindra, it's imminent.”The brand is starting with the Pik-Up utility, diesel-engined “one-tonners” from $23,990 but the spokeswoman said they were 'exploring their options' to sell more models.“There are other opportunities there, but we're concentrating on getting launched first.”Czech-made Skoda cars last sold here 25 years ago and will return in October, with a five-seat mini-people-mover called the Roomster, and the Octavia lift-back.Skoda head Matthew Wiesner said prices would be set against their Japanese equivalents, rather than at traditional European levels.

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November. 

It's the sort of gamble a pure numbers man would dismiss out of hand, but Michael Tynan is made of more adventurous stuff. "I am glad our financial controller is not here to hear this, but I reckon we have put in about $5 million" Tynan, head of the family-run Tynan Motors and TMI Pacific, said this week at the launch of the Indian-manufactured Mahindra Pik-Up.The bet is that TMI can convince enough buyers that the one-tonner from the Sub-Continent is a good fit in the Aussie landscape. The pay-off is a footprint in the highly-competitive Australian new car market and a place in industry folklore.There may even be a dollar or two in it."It's not a spur-of-the-moment thing," Tynan says. "It has been talked about, tested, prodded and poked for a couple of years now."Rob (Lowe, a Tynan Group executive) was on a private trip heading for Kenya and I asked him to drop in to Mahindra and take a look at the cars."He called and told me I had better get over there as these things were pretty good and there could be an opportunity for us ... and it went from there."The culmination of the program - and the first test of whether the gamble is likely to pay off — was the launch this week of four Pik-Up derivatives, a single and dual cab in both 2x4 and 4x4. Cab-chassis models with the option of any rear configuration are expected to be available within months.With a three-year, 100,000km warranty and 12 months' roadside assist - and starting at $23,990 for the single cab 4x2 through to $29,990 for the dual-cab 4x4 - the Pik-Up is certainly priced to grab attention.But don't call it cheap."We knew what we were getting ... we did not want a pretty vehicle, and we wanted it not to be the cheapest," Tynan says."That's somewhere you don't want to go" but we wanted it to be the best value and the most reliable.""We have had Pik-Ups in Australia for some time with farmers and other rural people."Essentially we just told them to take the cars away and do with them whatever they would do normally - basically, go away and break them - 12,000km later they came back with a few dog and kangaroo marks but nothing else. Not a hint of a problem and nothing fell off."It is that ruggedness, the apparent acceptance of the utes by those who use them hardest, and the competitive price, that TMI hopes can overcome a disastrous previous visit by Mahindra to the Australian market. Of that foray, Mahindra automotive sector president Dr Pawan Goenka concedes: “That was a mistake."The timing was wrong and we were not well informed about the market."This time is very different. We have done our homework and, with our partners TMI, considered carefully the market we are going into. We are well aware that in selling our products outside India the perceptions people may have is about the quality."With that in mind we — and most other Indian companies — have concentrated on the quality of our product, both in the engineering and production."Dr Goenka says although the Pik-Up is rated a one-tonner for Australia the car is actually engineered for an Indian tonne. "They are loaded until the suspension almost touches the ground, at least two tonnes," he says. The Pik-Up shares many of its components with India's most popular SUV, the Scorpio. The commonality ends only at the B-pillar, with some changes to the floor pan to accommodate the load tray and the use of a leaf-spring rear suspension.The power plant is a 2.5-litre commonrail turbo diesel with a modest 79kW@3800rpm and a narrow peak torque band of 247Nm between 1800-2200rpm.In the domestic market, the engine is a 2.6-litre unit but the stroke has been shortened to keep it under 2.5-litres for export markets, particularly Europe.Drive is through a clunky five-speed manual — a six-speed DSI-developed automatic will be available early next year.Standard across the range is power steering, limited-slip differentials, steel side steps, foglights and, on the 4x4 variants, automatic locking hubs and electric-shift 4x4 activation for the two-speed Borg-Warner transfer case.It features a 1:1 high-range ratio and a 1:2.48 low-range with sufficient ground clearance to make it a useful off-roader.The electric shift function is on-the-fly from 2WD to 4WD high, but requires stopping to go to low range and back and then back to 2WD - including the need to reverse a metre or two to disengage the hubs. The Mahindra Pik-Up is not going to win any beauty contests. Its look could best be described as functional industrial - if a little dated.The high, square-cab design means plenty of headroom front and rear but the cabin is narrow with minimal shoulder room. Interior trim is from the school of inoffensive cloth, mid-range plastics and a carbon-fibre print for the centre console.Standard features include air-conditioning, power windows, remote central locking, a Kenwood AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system that has USB and SD card ports, an alarm, immobiliser, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, driver's footrest, front/rear window demisters and front/rear 12-volt outlets.What is missing, at least until September, are airbags and an ABS system for the disc/drum brakes. However, the seats are firm and a little too flat but not uncomfortable.Noise, vibration and harshness levels are surprisingly good and the build quality, at least from the two cars we drove, worthy of comment. Broken fire trails, steep inclines and rutted rocky sections produced not a single rattle or squeak in an unladen truck.The engine drives better than raw figures suggest. The narrow torque spread calls for some concentration if you don't want to slam up and down the gears, but it managed difficult sections without undue fuss.Throttle actuation isn't precise but that's an advantage in low-range on broken ground. TMI hopes to sell 600 Pik-Ups this year from 15 NSW outlets before going nationwide.

Sydney dealer Tynan Motors Group has detailed plans to import Mahindra utes, beginning in mid-2007, as the spearhead for a line-up that could eventually include low-priced SUVs and cars. Two months ago Motoring exclusively revealed that Mahindra would expand into Australia and that the Tynan group had won the distribution rights. This week dealer principal Michael Tynan confirmed the first product, a ute called Pik Up, had been approved for Australia and would be sharply priced to appeal to rural and regional markets. Despite the challenge of a prolonged drought, the group had surveyed likely buyers with encouraging results. "A lot of vehicles today have strayed away from being serious no-frills work machines to becoming more oriented to show," Tynan said. "We were pleased to find that many wanted a return to the basics of a hard-working, keenly priced ute." The family-run Tynan group already sells 11 brands from Mercedes-Benz to Kia, and has set up a dedicated subsidiary, TMI Pacific, to handle its first attempt at car importing. General manager Rob Lowe said the initial investment was in the region of $5 million and expected as many as 50 dealers to be on board within a year. Mahindra had not set any volume targets, Lowe said, but wanted to see "an ordered program" that built volume gradually. The business would be centred on NSW initially before branching into the other eastern states, and Lowe forecast around 600 sales in the first 12 months. The Pik Up will be available as single-cab or dual-cab ute, and with two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The only powertrain offered is a 78kW common rail turbo-diesel with five-speed manual. At 5.1m long, the Pik Up has a large, one-tonne capacity load space. This is the second time around for Mahindra in Australia after an attempt to sell through a West Australian importer failed in 1993. About 250 Stockman and Bushranger models were bought before the importer collapsed. The Tynan group began talking to Mahindra three years ago and acknowledged concerns over quality were foremost from the start. "We all remembered the early days of Indian product which was possibly unsuitable for the Australian market," Michael Tynan said. "We talked about it long and loud ... but Mahindra had been developing a product that was most capable of holding its own." Chairman emeritus of the Australia India Business Council, Neville Roach, said the deal was a landmark in relations between the two nations and would go a little way to redressing Australia's $6 billion trade surplus with the subcontinent. Mahindra is a diversified industrial group, one of India's largest companies and a leading tractor-maker worldwide. Its tractors are already sold in Australia while its cars are exported to 38 countries from Asia to Africa. The group aims to quadruple car exports to 20 per cent of total volume in the next few years, with the US a key target. Last year Mahindra sold 128,000 vehicles globally and auto division president Pawan Goenka said the company needed to expand. "Even to stay on top in India we need to be a global player. We need to compete openly in markets where our vehicles have to compete against a wide range of models, price and specifications," he said. "Our move to the US is a vital part of our strategy." Although Mahindra specialises in light commerical vehicles and SUVs, it began building the Logan economy car last year in partnership with Renault, which developed the model in Europe for its Dacia offshoot. The cheap-and-cheerful Logan has been a surprise hit in Europe, and Mahindra is the only source for right-hand drive versions. Lowe admitted the Logan was a long-term prospect with an SUV, the Scorpio, also on the group's wishlist. With four decades in the car industry, Michael Tynan said the Indian brand reminded him of the first export forays by Japanese makers. "There's as much potential in Mahindra as there was with Mazda when I signed on with it as its first Australian dealer 40 years ago," he said.