The Mahindra Pik Up has built itself a trustworthy name in SA for building rugged vehicles all through the years.
The Pik Up continues to make strides among budget-savvy customers more especially on the light commercial side and Mahindra’s latest offering is worth looking at.
Following the launch of the S6 and S10 models in SA, Mahindra has bounced back to the market with the launch of the flagship S11 automatic.
Our country happens to be the first in the world to launch the all-new Pik Up automatic. Mahindra launches the new Pik Up auto in two variants, 4×4 and 4×2. Both come either in standard trim or Karoo trim.
At the launch, I got the opportunity to sample both offerings, 4×2 and 4X4 over some rather challenging terrains and both models excelled in their respective tasks.
Speaking of the design, the Mahindra Pik Up is not built to impress in the looks stable. It is certainly a love-it-or-hate-it vehicle and I found more reasons to like it than to dislike it.
Arriving at the launch at the Royal Elephant Hotel in Centurion, my weapon of choice for the day was the S11 Karoo in 4×2 guise.
Before I get into details of how the Pik Up drives, it is worth mentioning that the Pik Up Karoo comes with special custom-designed off-road-ready alloy wheels that feature a blacked-out design with chrome detailing.
The new S11 specification level boasts a new grille and bumper, upgraded headlamps and other subtle luxury changes.
The main design change is the bold and stylish new grille, which replaces the narrower chrome inlays of the S10 model with wider chromed vents.
In addition to the new front design, the S11 Automatic Pik Up has colour-coded side mirrors with integrated indicators. At the rear of the new model, there are S11 and Automatic decals as well as the addition of a new reverse camera.
The Karoo trim adds a unique decal design on the side panels and nudge and styling bars. It also adds a custom-designed and lockable roller deck system for the load box as standard plus a rubberised load bay.
The interior leaves less to bemoan about. It is well-put and has a premium feel added to it. There is a new 7-inch touch screen infotainment system that was very easy to use. The system offers Bluetooth connectivity, reverse camera, a multitude of entertainment and vehicle information screens and full turn-by-turn navigation as standard.
The Pik Up S11 comes standard with an automatic climate control system, adjustable multi-function steering wheel and cruise control.
It also comes with two airbags, 12V power points for the front and rear occupants, traction control, electric windows with an automatic up/down mode on the front windows and automatically locking doors.
Power comes courtesy of a 2.2-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder with 103 kW and 320 Nm.
The engine displayed an impressive amount of grunt accompanied a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission – it was responsive to throttle input and happy to keep pace with busy traffic.
The suspension is wonderfully tuned as it absorbs bumps and road imperfections with so much aplomb.
The is a slight amount of wind noise coming into the cabin at speeds of 120 km/h, though.
Trade and agricultural operators will no doubt appreciate the Mahindra Pik Up’s 210mm ground clearance, 2500kg braked towing capacity and 1200kg payload, ditto the inclusion of a dual-range transfer case, Eaton mechanical-locking rear differential, and hill-descent control on four-wheel-drive variants.
It is part of the Pik Up’s nature to boast off-road styling cues and it does not pretend. From inclines, declines, water crossing, downhill assist control, traction control, to doing serious off-roading, the bakkie surprised me.
The all-new S11 Automatic and S11 Automatic Karoo will be available with a standard 4-year / 120 000 km technical warranty and free Roadside Assistance plan. It also has a comprehensive service plan for 5 years or 100 000 km. The first lubrication service is at 10 000 km and every service thereafter will be done at intervals of 20 000 km.
The double cab pricing is as follows:
- Mahindra Pik Up S11 AT 4×2 R384 999
- Mahindra Pik Up S11 4×2 Karoo AT R399 999
- Mahindra Pik Up S11 AT 4×4 R414 999
- Mahindra Pik Up S11 4×4 Karoo AT R429 999