Mahindra has taken the covers off certainly one of its most significant recent vehicles – the brand new Mahindra Lifestyler ute – at a large event in Mumbai, India.
As an alternative of being a direct alternative for the PikUp work truck, which built a repute for unrelenting reliability and ruggedness, the Lifestyler as an alternative offers a totally different proposition, being based on the Scorpio SUV (or Scorpio-N, in its home country of India).
The Lifestyler and Scorpio use Mahindra’s new-generation ladder-frame chassis platform, meaning you possibly can expect the brand new ute to be up for it, with leaf springs and a live rear axle evident on the launch event.
Mahindra didn’t reveal much information on the Lifestyler on the event, and would only confirm to Australian media that it is going to be called the Lifestyler in our market (not the Scorpio Lifestyler, as in India) and that it is going to arrive in 2027.
As for the total specs and details, the brand has insinuated it is going to offer a drip-feed approach in regards to the vehicle, with no information revealed yet on dimensions or capacities, not to say powertrain options and outputs.
Nevertheless, Mahindra previously confirmed the two.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine within the Scorpio would feature, but with a torque bump to 450Nm. It is probably going that the brand will offer a six-speed manual for some markets, alongside a six-speed auto.
A turbo petrol can be being reported as an option in some markets, though it’s unclear if this may come to Australia.
It is also unclear whether there will be an electrified powertrain of some sort, resembling a hybrid.
As with the Scorpio, the Lifestyler features Mahindra’s 4XPlor selectable four-wheel drive system with low-range and shift-on-the-fly capability, not to say quite a few drive modes including Snow, Mud, Sand, Ruts and Normal.
The present PikUp – which was discontinued in early 2025 – was a hit in lots of developing markets world wide, and in Australia it developed a HiLux-rivalling repute for reliability.
It was also based on a ladder-frame chassis with leaf-spring rear suspension, and used a less powerful older-generation MHawk diesel engine with the selection of manual and auto gearboxes.
The last model began from just $37,990 drive-away as a dual-cab/chassis, and from $38,500 as a pickup. It’s expected the brand new model – being based on the Scorpio SUV – will see a considerable price increase. The seven-seat SUV range opens at $43,990 drive-away.
In India, the Scorpio Lifestyler is slated to kick off from lower than INR 19.79 lakh, or roughly A$29,300.
You might expect that to extend by about 25-35 per cent, meaning a possible – unconfirmed – start price below $40,000 in Australia.
If that were the case it could be squarely competing with budget utes just like the JAC T9, GWM Cannon and LDV T60, all of which come from China.
CarExpert had published images of the close-to-production concept model three years ago, but there have been some noticeable changes made that give the production version a more angular and arguably more aggressive look.
The front end includes reworked headlights and a unique grille treatment, and on the rear you possibly can see there are C-shaped tail-lights with the on-trend tailgate with massive ‘mahindra’ (yes, lower-case) branding applied.
That branding continues into the bathtub area, which incorporates a liner and tie-down points, and while the brand hasn’t confirmed specifications, it has stated that it wants to fulfill the market within the ute segment – so a pallet-friendly cargo space with greater than 1165mm of space between the wheel-arches seems likely.
The bumpers are boldly squared off with a low step point on the rear, and while the vehicle shown on the event is the favored double-cab body style, imagery from India has suggested the brand will proceed to supply a single-cab model as well.
What is obvious from the side profile, though, is the rear door appears to be smaller than another dual-cab utes, with a pronounced glasshouse kick towards the rear. Side steps and alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres also feature, depending on the grade, in addition to roof rails for added practicality.
On the Mumbai event, Mahindra showcased three distinct themes for its recent ute, all of which have a definite connection to vital export markets like Australia and South Africa.
The Reef Edition is all in regards to the surfer lifestyle, with roof rails and a give attention to not only the ‘payload’ but additionally what Mahindra dubs the ‘playload’.
The Trail Edition showed off sturdy rock-bashing side steps, a slimline snorkel and the classic tan paint finish that’ll help it stay inconspicuous within the desert.
Finally, the Valley Edition is aimed to bring a level of sophistication to the ute segment, with distinct design elements and a give attention to rural and regional businesspeople.
Unlike its Scorpio sibling, the brand new Lifestyler scores a totally reworked dashboard and interior design, including a large portrait-style centre display, much like the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok.
Sadly, on the event, the brand decided not to permit the media to access the cabins of the brand new vehicle, but did showcase the inside design on the massive screens for all to see.
What is evident is that Mahindra desired to make this not only a ute with a giant screen, but a cabin that meets the market requirements for tech and value.
It has a row of physical air-conditioning controls below the display, and a portion of the screen might be used for climate and interior function management, while the highest part is accessible for smartphone mirroring tech and mapping.
There are physical controls between the seats, including for off-road mode selection and the electronic park brake. There’s also a traditional transmission shifter.
The driving force has a digital instrument cluster with a centre trip readout flanked by a tachometer and speedometer, and the new-design steering wheel incorporates an array of buttons and switches for media and driving controls.
More information and details are still to be confirmed for the Mahindra Lifestyler in Australia, so stay tuned.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
