The 2022 Mahindra Scorpio-N has become the first body-on-frame SUV to secure a 5-star rating in the Global New Car Assessment Programme’s (GNCAP) new crash test protocols, which came into effect from 1st July 2022. The All-New Scorpio-N has achieved 5-star and 3-star rating for Adult and Child occupant safety respectively. Moreover, Scorpio-N also complied with additional tests including pole side impact, pedestrian protection UN127, electronic stability control (ESC) according to GTR8 and its fitment, and side head protection airbag fitment. As a result of this, the new Mahindra Scorpio-N becomes the first body-on-frame SUV to achieve 5-star rating in the new GNCAP’s crash test protocols.
Launched in June 2022, the Scorpio-N becomes Mahindra’s third SUV after the XUV700 and XUV300 to secure a 5-star rating. The Mahindra XUV300 became Mahindra’s first SUV to earn a 5-star adult safety rating along with India’s first ‘Safer Choice’ Award (by GNCAP) in 2020 followed by XUV700 in 2021. Also, Mahindra’s other body-on-frame vehicles Thar and Marazzo have received 4-star rating in 2020 and 2018 respectively.
Mahindra Scorpio-N key features
- Next Gen Body-on-frame Platform
- 6 Airbags
- Driver Drowsiness detection
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Latest generation ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) + EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution)
- Hill Descent Control
- Hill Hold Control
- Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)
- Roll Over Mitigation (ROM)
- Ventilated Disc Brakes (Front + Rear)
- ISOFIX/ i-SIZE Compatibility
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Front & Rear Camera
- Front & Rear Parking Sensors
- LED Sequential Turn Indicator
- E-call & SOS Switch
- AdrenoX Connect, Alexa Built-in
The new Scorpio-N is completely new ground-up, with no carryover components of the existing Scorpio. This allows the Mahindra Scorpio-N to elevate across all critical parameters: performance, capabilities, technology, sophistication, ride and handling, NVH, interiors and appearance.
The old-gen Mahindra Scorpio, meanwhile, continues to be sold in the Indian market as the Mahindra Scorpio Classic and gets some minor changes.
Mahindra Scorpio N: adult occupant crash test rating
Mahindra’s SUV scored 29.25 points out of a total of 34 in adult occupant protection tests, resulting in a 5-star rating. Testers rated the protection offered by the Mahindra Scorpio-N to the driver’s and passenger’s head and neck as good. However, protection for the driver’s and passenger’s chest is shown as marginal.
As per the new testing procedure, in the side impact test with a deformable barrier, the Scorpio-N showed good protection to the occupants with a score of 16 points out of a possible 17. The Mahindra SUV received an ‘OK’ rating for the side pole impact tests, however, the chest region of the occupants got a ‘weak’ rating.
GNCAP also mentioned that the bodyshell and the footwell area of the Scorpio-N were stable and capable of withstanding further loadings.
Mahindra Scorpio N: child occupant crash test rating
The Scorpio-N scored 28.93 points out of 49 in the child occupant protection tests, earning a 3-star rating. This includes 4.93 points out of 12 for the CRS (child restraint system) installation and the maximum dynamic score of 24.
GNCAP tested the Scorpio-N with dummies of an 18-month-old and a 3-year-old child, both seated facing rearward. They were placed in the car using i-size anchorages and a support leg, and both helped in preventing head exposure in a frontal crash. The CRS also offered full protection in a side impact.
The testers also noted that the SUV has ISOFIX mounting points in the outer rear seats in the second row.
New GNCAP testing protocols
Under the new Global NCAP protocols, a vehicle is given a 5-star rating only if it secures the required scores while also conforming to the ESC, pedestrian protection, pole side impact and seat belt reminder requirements of GNCAP.
It also becomes a bit difficult to compare vehicles tested under the old protocols with vehicles tested under the new ones, as the entire process has been overhauled. A star rating under the old protocols is reflective of performance in a front crash test, however, a star rating under the new protocols is reflective of more rounded protection that takes into account side impact as well as active safety like ESC, which helps prevent an accident in the first place.
Mahindra Scorpio N: pricing and other details
Launched earlier this year, the Mahindra Scorpio-N is priced between Rs 11.99 lakh and Rs 21.65 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It is offered in Z2, Z4, Z6, Z8 and Z8L trims and can be had with either a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 203hp and up to 380Nm or a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 175hp and up to 400Nm of torque. Both are mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Only certain diesel variants are offered with a four-wheel-drive system.
