Mahindra Pik-Up News

Congratulations. You’ve secured $30,000 and need a new car.

Mahindra Australia has given the budget-friendly Pik-Up ute a significant multimedia upgrade for MY21

Right now, new-car sales are booming, buyers have to wait months and even years for specific model or grade choices in some instances, and nobody is really wheeling and dealing like they used to pre-pandemic.

Mahindra Australia has expanded the PikUp line-up with a new Black Edition flagship, which arrives just three weeks after the ute’s MY20 update was released

Mahindra has streamlined its PikUp ute range for the 2020 model year, while also bolstering equipment and upping prices for its budget-focused light-commercial vehicle.All S6 variants of the Pik-Up are now discontinued, with the 4x2 Single Cab S6+ now th

Mahindra Automotive Australia (MAAPL) has taken on four more variants of its latest-generation Pik-Up ute, adding increased specification for mid-range 4x2 and 4x4 units.As before, pricing for the PikUp opens at $21,990 drive-away for the base 4x2 Single Cab S6 cab chassis, stretching up to $31,990 for the range-topping 4x4 dual-cab S10 Cab with tub.The new offerings amid the line-up include a 'Tradie Pack' in 4x2 Single Cab guise, which includes a general purpose aluminium tray (GPA), Bluetooth functionality and cruise control, pushing the price up to $23,990.S6 grade Pik-Ups are equipped with steel wheels, projector headlights, air-conditioning, a standard-fair audio head unit with a MP3, radio and a CD player, as well as side steps and fabric seats.The higher-spec S10 gains a 6.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, an alloy sports bar, fabric trim with arm rests, driver's side seat adjustment and daytime running lights.Standard safety features across the range include hill descent control, ESC, ABS, EBD, roll-over mitigation, airbags and a collapsible steering column.Mahindra has also added an S10 grade for Single Cab 4x2 and 4x4, as well as 4x4 Dual Cab, in Cab Chassis configuration for $25,990, $28,990 and $31,500 respectively.The Mahindra Pik-Up is exclusively powered by a 2.2-litre 'mHawk' turbo-diesel engine that produces 103kW/320Nm and is matched up to a six-speed manual gearbox and an Eaton mechanical locking differential.In all guises, the Pik-Up boasts a 2500kg braked towing capacity and has a ground clearance of 210mm.In rear-wheel drive form, the Indian-built off-roader makes use of independent double wishbone suspension with an anti-roll bar, or independent suspension with a torsion bar and rear leaf springs in all-paw versions.The Mahindra PikUp comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with five years of roadside assistance. According to MAAPL head of automotive business Russel Thiele, the company has been keen to take on new variants for some time, and thinks that the increased specification will help drive sales."We have been chasing supply from the factory ever since launch of the new Mahindra PikUp" he said."Sales have been great and with new metro dealers in Geelong and Penrith about to be announced, momentum in the light commercial segment is with Mahindra.""Many of our farm and trade customers like our S10 Dual Cab but have been wanting those specifications in Single Cab. Now with the introduction of S10 4x4 and 4x2 Single Cab we are able to offer a truly competitive high spec ute in the light commercial market."2018 Mahindra PikUp driveaway pricingMahindra PikUp 4x2 Single Cab S6 Cab Chassis – manual – $21,990Mahindra PikUp 4x2 Single Cab S6 Cab Chassis with Tradie Pack – manual – $23,990Mahindra PikUp 4x2 Single Cab S10 Cab Chassis – manual – $25,990Mahindra PikUp 4x4 Single Cab S6 Cab Chassis – manual – $26,990Mahindra PikUp 4x4 Single Cab S10 Cab Chassis – manual – $28,990Mahindra PikUp 4x4 Dual Cab S6 Cab Chassis – manual – $29,490Mahindra PikUp 4x4 Dual Cab S6 Cab with Tub – manual – $29,990Mahindra PikUp 4x4 Dual Cab S10 Cab Chassis – manual – $31,500Mahindra PikUp 4x4 Dual Cab S10 Cab with Tub – manual – $31,990

All Pik-Ups are powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that produces 103kW of power and 330Nm of torque.

...we go electric.More specifically we investigate the promise of electric cars.We are starting to hear that they are close to arriving on our streets but you know what I think there is one thing we are forgetting. Not everyone drives their car into a garage every night were there is a power point and extension cord standing by.Most people, especially in city areas where you would think electric cars will be more popular to start with, park their cars on the street at night.So how do they recharge their batteries? Well there is a new scheme being planned for Canberra that will see recharging stations installed in car parks and other public places.Plus...in the old days tradies and farmers pretty much had the choice of just a couple of manufacturers when it came to their vehicles.Now a days however the range of commercial vehicles available is huge. There is about to be even more competition with the introduction of Chinese made Great Wall Motors utes.Mahindra Australia has also unveiled a brand new model of their pik up range.For all this and much more, listen to the podcast above. 

...but it says it is here for the long term and its revised Pik-Up is proof positive of its commitment.Key among the changes the Indian carmaker has made to its tough workhorse are those aimed at lifting its safety rating to an anticipated three stars once it is tested by ANCAP. With dual front airbags and antiskid ABS brakes standard across the Pik-Up range Mahindra is confident it will achieve a three-star ANCAP rating.While some Pik-Up customers, notably farmers, might not appreciate the addition of airbags as they prevent them from using their vehicles to push and shove gates, equipment and stock around their farms, but the extra safety features are sure to appeal to city slickers.Town dwellers are also likely to be attracted to the new grille, headlights, fog lamps, bumper and bonnet scoop that combine to give the Pik-Up a fresh new face and make it more appealing.Add to the external makeover new ergonomically designed seats for improved comfort, a sporty gear knob and park brake lever, tilt-adjustable steering column, new fabric trim, a new CD sound system with MP3 compatibility and steering wheel controls, and powered mirrors, and you get the impression Mahindra is trying to reach out to buyers wanting more from their utes than the rugged reliability Mahindra has been relying on to win over sceptical Australians.As it was in the first generation of the Pik-Up the range consists of single and dual-cab utes and cab-chassis models, with either two or four-wheel drive, and powered by a 2.5-litre common rail turbo diesel engine boasting 79 kW at 3800 revs and 247 Nm at 1800-2200 revs.A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, there is no auto available, and the four-wheel drive transfer case has electric selection.The suspension is a proven tough combination of front torsion bars and rear leaf springs, the steering is power assisted and the brakes are a combo of front discs and rear drums with standard ABS antiskid electronics.All models boast a payload of at least one-tonne, the single-cab two-wheel drive boasting the highest at 1160 kg, and all will tow up to 2.5-tonne.Mahindra's warranty is for three years or 100,000 km and there's also 24-hour roadside assistance for three years.Mahindra launched in the Australian market with the Pik-Up two years ago as partner in a joint venture with Tynan Motor Industries, but has since taken control of the operation by acquiring an 80 per cent share and renaming the company Mahindra Automotive Australia.Taking control was necessary to advance the Mahindra cause in Australia, said Pravin Shah, Mahindra's Executive Vic President of International Operation in the Automotive Sector. Shah said he was satisfied with the progress the company had made to date, and reconfirmed its commitment to stay in Australia for the long term.When asked about sales to date, Shah refused to elaborate, saying he preferred not to speak about sales as they simply provided a yardstick for others outside the Mahindra to measure his company's success. All he would say is that they were in the thousands. "The number has four figures," was all he would say. "That means they are between 1000 and 9999."While preferring not to talk about current sales Shah was keen to talk up the future, saying Mahindra was likely to release an SUV in the coming months, and had plans for all-new SUV and Pik-Up models for 2011. The new global models are currently being developed on all-new platforms with the intention of selling them in markets all around the world, including Australia.

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.