Mahindra Pik-Up 2009

If looks matter when buying a working device, Mahindra could be a winner with their Pik-Up. This was the main impression left from a recent drive test of the newly updated Mahindra ute.

Initially, most people were puzzled as to what it was, but once it was explained, the comment almost always followed that it looked "tough". The mowerman was interested in trading in his Falcon ute for another, autoelec figured it might be just the right thing to replace his old Escort van, and this went on for a whole week.

Made in India, the one-color Pik-Up clearly impressed those who saw it, enough to at least ask what company made it, which in turn begs the question why they don't know what it is yet.

The answer is that Mahindra has quietly entered the Australian market, preferring to focus on the bush where their tractors are well known and respected.

Right or wrong, it was assumed that farmers familiar with her tractors might also line up to buy the ute. At the very least, they won't shy away from the brand, as potential buyers unfamiliar with the name in other parts of the country might do.

Driving around Melbourne during the test revealed that people in the south were largely unaware of Mahindra's presence in Australia but wanted to learn more about it.

Changes in the update

The pickup was launched two years ago and updated about a month ago.

The update was meant to make it a bit more civilized to cater to the needs of a wider market, especially urban buyers who have different requirements than their rural cousins.

A new grille, new headlights, fog lights and a hood scoop brightened up the look of the pickup, while power mirrors, steering column adjustment, steering wheel audio controls, sportier parking brake lever and shift lever, and more comfortable seats all this made the interior more attractive.

But the key changes are the addition of anti-lock braking system (ABS) and dual front airbags for greater safety.

The single-cab Pik-Up we tested is the entry-level model that many entrepreneurs or small businesses can turn to for their work vehicle.

Bridge

Like the rest of the range, it's powered by a 2.5-litre common rail turbodiesel that delivers a modest 79kW at 3800rpm and 247Nm at 1800-2200rpm at full load.

It starts with some gusto, but pits at 1800 rpm and then revs back up to just over 2000.

Aside from the drop in performance during acceleration, overall handling is quite acceptable, with the engine running smooth and relatively quiet for the most part.

Mahindra claims the Pik-Up's average fuel economy is 9.9L/100km, but the test unit did a slightly better job at 9.5L/100km. If the engine is the same throughout the range, then the gearbox is a five-speed manual with a long stroke and slightly blurry shifting. The final drive on the test car was part-wheel drive with electrical shifting to select all-wheel drive when needed.

Driving

Suspension is conventional torsion bars at the front and leaf springs at the rear, and the ride is firm but comfortable.

The interior has a pleasant ambiance, with patterned cloth seat and door panels and a carbon fiber trim center instrument panel that combine to give the cabin a unique look.

There are plenty of features scattered around the cabin, including ventilation, a CD sound with new steering wheel-mounted controls, and power windows, but little useful storage space for the little things you might need on the job.

There's no center console here, the glove box is tiny, and the door pockets are too small to be really useful. Also, there isn't much storage space behind the seats.

The accommodation is also a bit cramped. While there is plenty of headroom in the fairly upright cabin, there could be more legroom and elbow room. In operation, the single-cab four-wheel-drive pickup will carry a payload of 1060kg, including the weight of any pallet that can be fitted.

It can also tow up to 2.5 tons on a 250 kg ball brake trailer. The warranty is three years or 100,000 km. and there are 24-hour roadside assistance for three years.

The single cab pickup truck is priced at $24,199.

Mahindra approached the Australian market openly; managers openly declare that they will not make big announcements about their product, that they will slowly but steadily move forward, strengthening their presence here.

It feels like they're waiting for a brand new Pik-Up to come our way in 2011.