[JoseTheScorpion]

Hi everyone, this is my story on how I ended up with a Base model Scorpio-N Z2. I have always owned SUVs since 2012 and then there has been no turning back.

Following were the SUVs we owned prior to the Scorpio-N.
⦁ 2012 to 2021 -Tata Safari Storme VX 4X2 2.2 varicor (Pearl white)
⦁ 2021 to 2022 - Used Audi Q5 3.0 TDI DSG quattro (white)
⦁ 2022 to 2024- Used Honda CR-V Automatic 4wd 2.4 Petrol (Black)

Our requirement:
⦁ 7 seater SUV
⦁ 5 star crash test rating
⦁ Petrol (to avoid, DEF related issues on low running)
⦁ Rear wheel Drive (drifting requirement )
⦁ Manual Transmission
⦁ Powerful engine (Turbo preferred)
⦁ Good seat height (Similar to Safari)
⦁ Boot space should be 500lts +
⦁ Ride quality should be like Safari or better
⦁ Ladder frame was a must for SUV feel + Highway/bad road comfort
⦁ Good, if not great, Music system with android auto
⦁ Ventilated seats
⦁ Cruise control

I know the requirements are very particular and evidently leaving very few options in the Indian automobile market to choose from. But I feel the Safari Storme spoilt us with its comfort and king size interiors.

What else we considered

⦁ MG hector(Petrol MT and DCT) – Loved the car, price, features, looks. I drove the DCT during the test drive and the smoothness was good and silence in the cabin as well. The only weird issue I noticed was my right elbow couldn’t rest on the door’s hand rest, while driving. I tried adjusting the steering and seat as well, but something was off. Due to this I got tired in a short 5-6 kms drive and felt uncomfortable the whole time.

⦁ XUV700 (Petrol AT) – Test drove the Xuv700 AT, still my favourite of the lot. Specially that engine and the pull + the interior looks very stylish. The bad road ride was not to my liking and could already hear some thuds. But easily the best looking 7 seater SUV inside the 25lakh budget.

⦁ Kia Carnival(Diesel AT) – The test drive was good and long. I also took it to my society’s parking spot, but unfortunately the car was too long for the city and also the looks are not that great. Was impressed with the space, practicality, ride quality and engine power(400+ NM torque). But it didn’t fit my budget or parking space. Also, diesel was not needed, as I work from home and seldom go out during the weekdays.

⦁ Safari and Harrier (Diesel AT) – Oh, how I wish both of these models come in Petrol turbo power. Why TATA, why, what is the delay. Why can’t you just shake hands with Mahindra and get the Petrol engine. Anyway. Both look good and the led lights are the best. If the new Safari was Petrol powered, well this would have been a very tough CAR to ignore.

⦁ Fortuner and Innova Crysta(Diesel AT)- Both do come with Petrol engines as well, but only diesels were available for TD. Hmm, I don’t know why but I hated the fortuner, the interiors, were so “on your face”, Dashboard is too close, the windshield as well, steering was hard, windows were small, engine noise, vibration and the ride was also bouncy. Well, Innova Crysta was totally the opposite, spacious, wide view, sleek dashboard, comfy seats, driving view was perfect. It did have the engine noise and the vibrations, but the petrol would have been better. I think the price of both Toyotas didn’t feel value for money. I know it would had much less

⦁ Scorpio-N (Z8 L Petrol Manual)- I was blown away by the silence in the cabin and the smoothness of the engine. The power delivery is good, it glides over the speed bumps and bad roads, similar to the Safari minus the rattling and horrific creaking sounds. I was able to drift while taking a U turn on tarmac and 7 people can sit in comfort. It looks huge and has an amazing road presence but still feels like missing something, something which I am unable to point out.

Final choice
Scorpio-N it was. Well, no other Petrol, rear wheel drive, 5 star crash test rated, 7 seater, ladder on frame SUV fitted our budget.

Booking (introductory offer)
I was able to even book the car on 30th July 2022 with the introductory offer. We came to know about that after a couple of days, once all the media mess got settled. I had booked the Z8 petrol MT 4x2 white Model and the waiting time was more than a year. We kept the booking for a month and saw that the delivery date was not fixed and kept changing. I was not happy with the waiting time and finally with a painful heart decided to cancel the booking. The introductory offer might have got passed to the next person in the list.

Q. Wife ko gussa kyo aata hai (why does a wife get angry)?
A. When a husband tries to buy a car which every one in the family liked, but cancels the booking within a month. And then tells, lets wait and buy a used car for sometime, when the market settles we will book and get a faster delivery of the same car.

Booked a car online from a third party app?
So, we were using a used Honda CRV, while we waited for the Scorpio-N waiting period to come down and to our surprise it was the same. We heard rumours that we can pay extra and get the car within days, but I have not been able to find any showroom promising the same. Finally one day on 26th December 2023, almost 1.5 years after the cancellation of the Scorpio-N Z8 booking, I saw an ad of Ackodrive, where they promised express delivery of any car. When I opened the app, it displayed a white Scorpio-N Z2 Petrol MT 2023 Model was available for delivery in 11 days. All other models were having a long waiting time, even other colours of the Z2 variant. I first thought it’s fake or print error. But then, as the booking amount was refundable, I booked it for 21k and guess what, it was like a dream come true.

No PDI?
The only issue with the Ackodrive collab, was that the Mahindra showroom they appointed was too far from our house. We didn't do the PDI and just requested pics of the car from the stockyard which was even further away from the showroom. I didn't find any paint mismatch so gave the go ahead to the showroom guy.

Delivery Day (Pet name Hornet)
On Jan 13th 2024, we got the magical call from the showroom, “Sir, your car is ready for delivery, please feel free to come today and take your brand spanking new car”. Anyway, so we reached the showroom all excited, me, my wife and kids and saw the car for the first time. Well, it was the base model so had to turn my eyes away from the non-alloy commercial type looking steel silver wheels. But a new car is a new car. The feel, the connect, the purity and the newness is incomparable.

My son gave the name - "White Hornet"

Started drifting yet?
Only after completing the 2k kms mark. Drove like a gentleman till now. But Hornet is going to see a different side of me soon. I never knew Hornet will be a BORN DRIFT MACHINE. It drifts in the second gear as though a walk in the park. I did try to capture some drifts in a video that I made. Enjoy!!

https://youtu.be/8xbwWfJ8hwY?si=qLtNvETIUWdviMF1

Now it is 6months old – Do I still love the HORNET??

I love it even more. Now that I have finished installing all the accessories of my choice, it looks much better and very different than the other SCORPIONs flying around in the Hyderabad city.

⦁ Roof rails
⦁ Remote central locking
⦁ Turbo Badging
⦁ Scorpion Logos on front fenders
⦁ Dashcam / smart mirror
⦁ Convex small mirrors on ORVMs
⦁ Chrome door handles
⦁ Side foot steps
⦁ Painted wheels black and added wheel covers
⦁ LED indicators, front and rear
⦁ Petrol Badging on the fuel filer cap
⦁ Foot mats
⦁ Tissue box holder
⦁ Sun shades (Scorpio-N windows shaped)
⦁ toy Helicopter on dashboard (runs on solar power)

A month back I had made a video of all the accessories installed with the pricing and I feel these are the only requirements for the SCORPIO-N Z2 model. Following is the link

https://youtu.be/QMg_8LNfiW0?si=W6gWbph9rhHyKESf

LIKES
⦁ All 7 seats are comfortable for my family, rear third row seats should be used only by people less than 5'8 inches.
⦁ Petrol turbo engine is a GEM, 200 BHP can put anything behind when kept on the boil, both in cities and highways
⦁ Thanks to the rear wheel drive with 200 BHP, drifting those wheels are easy as hell.
⦁ Road visibility is excellent.
⦁ Ride quality is similar to a magic carpet. I think the 17 inch wheels help, as they have a thicker side wall and I am loving it. Just glides through rough patches and bad roads.
⦁ Power steering is very light and its a breeze to drive/park in the city
⦁ Rear armrest and cupholders, rear ac vents, Good quality fabric seat covers, LED interior lights, Touchscreen music system, steering mounted buttons, rear C type fast charger, front armrest feel plush for a base model

DISLIKES
⦁ Mileage is not that great in city, I barely manage 8.5 with feather touch on the accelerator
⦁ Z2 interiors are very basic
⦁ No controls for the ORVM, means I have to get down from the car and manually adjust the left RVM.
⦁ No Android Auto, even with a 9inch Android touch screen music system, WHY?
⦁ No seat height adjust for driver
⦁ No foot board/side step - ingress and egress is a challenge
⦁ No rear wiper
⦁ No wheel covers on a 16lakh rupee car
⦁ No remote central locking on a 16lakh rupee car

My recommendation
Well, SCORPIO-N is a well put together SUV and after driving it for 7k kms, in my view it is one of the best SUVs out there. If you get your hands on one, don't blink, just buy. Nothing else will do, if you want to feel like the big daddy .

I have many other short technical, funny and informative videos on my Scorpio-N(HORNET), please do have look and enjoy the playlist!!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...eYda5hxZEubfX3

READY for the pics

Rear seat armrest are big and very comfy


Convex mirrors are an addon but really helpful while reverse parking


dashcam/smart mirror/rear mirror - all in one. My best accessory


Helicopter accessory is childish, but I do have kids so why not?


front armrest storage is best in Z2, other models have an rear AC module which takes up the storage space


AC buttons are easy to use


Gear knob is very plush


Touchscreen is 9inch and very simple to use


Full Swipe before ignition


Digital speedometer(similar to my Audi Q5)


navigation buttons for digital instrument panel


No, ORVM adjust options


power windows, child rear window lock and central lock/unlock buttons


rear legroom and thigh support are best in class


small convex mirrors are a very practical accessory


SCORPION or ABARTH? but fits perfectly to my car!!


no foglamps in Z2,Z4 or Z6 variants


Dual barrel halogen headlights do the job well


Wheel covers look like semi-alloys


Reverse lights are halogens but bright


parking tail lamps are LEDs


Turbo badge is deserving


Tail lights look really nice


Dashboard though hard plastic looks refreshing


rear ac vents and c type fast charger are a boon


Front door close with a thud and feel strong


Front seats are spacious, Hard plastic on dashboard


rear seats are comfy for anyone below 5'8


Wide opening boot door


Very nicely stored tools

[JoseTheScorpion]

Adding the PDI pics and Delivery day Pics

PDI pics from Showroom guy





Delivery Day




Reached Home with the new ride

[deepfusion]

congratulations on your new love.

How would you rate it after having driven the Q5 and the CRV?
Please share the cost break up and the final on-road price of your White Hornet.

[Utopian]

low dosage of chrome makes the entire deal even better. Did you also want to try the blackened wheel cap approach to see how it looks. Might suit the Scorpion.

[B5glider]

Scorpions are always beautiful whatever variant they are. Congrats on getting the hornet! I am running to ACKO now. Meanwhile, did you say that the infotainment system is Android-based? If it is Android-based, you can always try installing the Zlink APK which all non-OEMs use. Why I asked this question because I booked the MX1 Roxx which is going to get an infotainment without Android Auto. It may be the same as Scorpio Z2 though the orientation and size may be different and hence thought to check. Thanks

[mally2]

It’s looks like a 9 inch Android Head unit to me. Please check if your head unit has an app called Zlink. It allows wireless AA and CP. if it doesn’t you can download an app from the play store called Headunit Reloaded(paid) and it will help with wired and wireless AA. Unfortunately no CP with that app.

[JoseTheScorpion]

Originally Posted by deepfusion

How would you rate it after having driven the Q5 and the CRV?

The Q5 is a driver's car for sure.
Likes:

• Amazing pickup, its like taking off on a runway. 0-100kmph in around 6-7 seconds. I bought a 10 year old Q5, so may have been faster when new.
• Soft touch everywhere, dashboard, door trim, hand rest, steering
• Comfy seats, Panoramic sunroof, auto dimming IRVM, mix of Xenon and LED lights, rear window shades, amazing sound system, paddle shifter with DSG, 3 zone AC ... the feature list is long.
• Front, rear sensors(total 8) and rear camera were spot on and made it very easy to park

Dislikes

• Rear seats were too low, so my wife/kids found it a little claustrophobic (comparing with Safari Storme)
• This was my first German car. I am not sure if it was badly maintained by the previous owners, but it used to randomly display the check engine light or the airbag/SRS light or coil. I kept it for an year, but for almost a month the car was in the workshop. Spent almost 2lakhs in just 1year on maintenance/service.
• The SUV is huge, but space inside is of a car half its size.

Q5 overall Rating (7/10). Points cut mainly for reliability and rear space.





The CRV on the other hand is a perfect family car.

Likes:

• Space in the front, rear and the boot. Very practical and gives the airy feel.
• Most touch-points are soft touch, also comes with leather seats.
• It has all the need to have features power folding, adjusting mirrors, power seats, individual hand rest for front seats, dual zone AC, adjustable boot parcel tray, dual glove box.

Dislikes

• Elastic feel while accelerating is very irritating. Overtakes on single lane highways need to be planned. Also, our CRV had a noisy engine and hydraulic power steering was tight for city/parking.
• Honda is known for good service, but anytime we go there, CRV was treated like an alien car. No parts available(same answer all the time), will take 2 months to import or transport from Delhi or Chennai. Thankfully CRVs are reliable so the workshop visits are mostly for service only.
• I didn't like driving it, not sure why. Mostly it was boring and also the car was very thirsty in city 6 to 7kmpl with a feather touch to the pedal.

CRV overall Rating (8/10). Extra points for space, reliability and comfy long drives.







So coming to the HORNET!!

• well it gives me the comfort/ride quality similar to the Safari minus the rattles
• Q5 was really fast, Scorpio-N is in the fast category, so still happy with its performance.
• Scorpio-N Driving feel/pleasure is better than CRV and off course being a 3 row SUV, space is not a limitation

SCORPIO-N(6 months old) overall Rating (9/10) . Extra points for ride quality and performance.

Originally Posted by Utopian

low dosage of chrome makes the entire deal even better. Did you also want to try the blackened wheel cap approach to see how it looks. Might suit the Scorpion.

Totally agree. Actually when I saw the Z2 for the first time in flesh, I really liked it. The grill has piano black elements, which look good. Also, I don't like chrome at all, so for people like me Z2 is a good variant. Adding the accessories is a little long process, depending on the availability of the parts, but the good thing is, you will install only what you like and you pay for only what you want.

I purchased the wheel covers from Amazon and even after 7k on the ODO, no rattles or squeaks. I had to paint the wheel rim black to make sure the the wheel covers look good. So till now, not missing the alloys at all. It can possibly be a gift to the Hornet once it completes 50k mark and needs a tyre change as well.

Originally Posted by B5glider

Scorpions are always beautiful whatever variant they are. Congrats on getting the hornet! I am running to ACKO now. Meanwhile, did you say that the infotainment system is Android-based? If it is Android-based, you can always try installing the Zlink APK which all non-OEMs use. Why I asked this question because I booked the MX1 Roxx which is going to get an infotainment without Android Auto. It may be the same as Scorpio Z2 though the orientation and size may be different and hence thought to check. Thanks

agree. Scorpions are always beautiful.

Good point on the Android Auto thing. So, after 6 months of struggle which included discussions with other Z2 owners, Mahindra service, car accessory shop guys and watching youtube videos on this topic, I was finally able to crack a way to use Android Auto. It is actually a blessing in disguise, as I feel I am much more tech savvy now as compared to 6 months back. So I have also made a full video to cover the whole process. I have been using android auto since then without any issues and I think this video will help guys like you and me or anyone else having a Thar Roxx Mx1 or Scorpio-N Z2 or Scorpio S11 to us Android Auto on this default touchscreen given by Mahindra.

https://youtu.be/zSnLczMejt8?si=i2pI34SoqxnUMJbJ

Originally Posted by mally2

It’s looks like a 9 inch Android Head unit to me. Please check if your head unit has an app called Zlink. It allows wireless AA and CP. if it doesn’t you can download an app from the play store called Headunit Reloaded(paid) and it will help with wired and wireless AA. Unfortunately no CP with that app.

Well, Mahindra has locked most of the Apps, so you can't access google playstore, or Google maps or chrome. But, I am not able to understand the reason why Mahindra would want to lock such things which come by default on any after market Android Head unit.

Thankfully, I am now able to use Android Auto. I have also shared the video link in this thread, which has all the details.

[B5glider]

Thanks a ton for the help. I was contemplating canceling my MX1 Roxx booking just for this issue. Let me check once I pick up the Roxx MX1

[JoseTheScorpion]

Originally Posted by deepfusion

congratulations on your new love.

Please share the cost break up and the final on-road price of your White Hornet.

Sorry I missed it earlier. I don't remember the exact figures, need to see the paper work. But here are the approx. numbers

Ex showroom - 13.2 L
Registration amount - 2.5 L
Acko insurance premium - 45k (to be paid directly to Ackodrive)
other charges -5k
Total - 16.2 Lakhs On road Hyderabad

[JoseTheScorpion]

Originally Posted by JoseTheScorpion

DISLIKES
⦁ Mileage is not that great in city, I barely manage 8.5 with feather touch on the accelerator
⦁ Z2 interiors are very basic
⦁ No controls for the ORVM, means I have to get down from the car and manually adjust the left RVM.
⦁ No Android Auto, even with a 9inch Android touch screen music system, WHY?
⦁ No seat height adjust for driver
⦁ No foot board/side step - ingress and egress is a challenge
⦁ No rear wiper
⦁ No wheel covers on a 16lakh rupee car
⦁ No remote central locking on a 16lakh rupee car

adding a few more dislikes which I forgot to mention. I just viewed one of my early videos and remembered.

⦁ No air vents for third row, a big miss. The first row is easily chilled, second row is comfortable and the third row is mostly hot as hell in Indian summers. Possible fix is to buy an install USB fan for third row passengers.

⦁ Third row is a bench seat, so if you have luggage, you will need to tumble down the complete 3rd row. In effect, it is a 5 seater with luggage or a 7 seater with no luggage. In XUV700 and Safari, you have an option to use 6 seats with Luggage. Another big miss (50:50 split seat)

⦁ No lamp for third row/boot.

Also attaching the video, which was made with a lot of effort.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=VVHM7PUZ...C5m-z1ztgSQMzg

[JoseTheScorpion]

We had a recent road trip(Hyderabad-Bengaluru-Hyderabad), approx. 1200kms and noticed a weird issue. While driving in the city or highway below 100kmph, all is well, very silent engine, no vibrations, no funny sounds, but both ways on the highway, their was a weird sound coming from the engine bay, almost like a whining/humming/grinding sound @100kmph or above. Its something that I noticed and seemed to have increased on the way back. The second service is due(1yr/1000kms), so will get it checked, but I am unable to pinpoint the issue. The noise is not always there, it comes randomly and goes away on its own. Also, if I am above 120kmph, the sound disappears. So its mostly between 100kmph to 120kmph(intermittently).

Possibly belt related? - but then why does it come only above 100kmph. if belt related, it should depend on the engine RPM...right?

Transmission/6th gear issue? - To test the theory, I started driving in 5th and 4th gear. For sometime, the sound was gone, but then, was back after 15 to 20 mins of driving in 5th gear and 4th as well. :(

Wheel bearing? - Its too early for wheel bearing related issues. I remember having it changed for my Q5, which had clocked 1.2lakh kms. Hornet has just done 7k kms.

Tyres? - Tyres are in perfect condition, so I doubt, it is tyre related.

Exhaust/Silencer - Can a new car get rust issues? I remember, the Mahindra showroom guys, mentioning that the car has gone through underbody antirust coating, but even if it doesn't, isn't it too early for a crack?

Need your help and advice. Already feeling bad about such a sound from a 9th month old car.

[JoseTheScorpion]

Another thing I noticed since the time this weird sound started coming from the car on highway @100kmph, is the sudden increase in mileage.

Before the weird sound

• City - 8.5kmpl (full time ac on and have short daily runs, 2-3 kms to drop my kids to school)
• Highway - 11-12 Kmpl (full time ac on and 80-90 avg. speed) (Hyderabad- Aurangabad -Hyderabad - 1300kms)

After the weird sound

• City - 10.5kmpl (full time ac on and have short daily runs, 2-3 kms to drop my kids to school). No changes in driving style or location.
• Highway - 16+ Kmpl(full time ac on and 80-90 avg. speed). (Hyderabad- Bengaluru -Hyderabad -1200kms)

I couldn't believe my eyes, and thought that I am one of the best drivers in the world to achieve this insane mileage in a Petrol, 200bhp, SUV. But now, I feel that something is wrong and hope its not something major. Sharing the video showing the mileage. I was able to reach 16.3 kmpl, but couldn't record it in the video.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=C_pnjYnT...HnViuRDBS0Fiva

[kgt.v8]

Originally Posted by JoseTheScorpion

Another thing I noticed since the time this weird sound started coming from the car on highway @100kmph, is the sudden increase in mileage.

https://Youtube.com/watch?v=C_pnjYnT...HnViuRDBS0Fiva

Is the higher mileage show only on MID?
Did you get opportunity to calculate tank to tank mileage also to see if actual mileage has increased?

[JoseTheScorpion]

Originally Posted by kgt.v8

Is the higher mileage show only on MID?
Did you get opportunity to calculate tank to tank mileage also to see if actual mileage has increased?

Yes, as of now, only checked the MID, but good point, let me check tank to tank method as well, just to confirm.

[JoseTheScorpion]

So, in the past 10 months of ownership of my white Hornet(Scorpio-n Z2), I wanted to share my special findings. I would say these are kind of hidden or unknown features which most Scorpio-N owners might miss, so I am hoping this will be helpful.

1. Safety features on ignition system
   • Engine will not start, if the car is in gear. It will start only if the car is in Neutral or clutch is pressed.
   • Key will not crank if the engine is already running.
   
   
2. Bonnet open - automatic Hazard lights
   • As soon as you open the bonnet the hazard lights will come on automatically.
   • It helps in cases where we forget to switch it on, while stranded on highway or road.
   
   
3. Operate power windows without key
   • The power windows work even after a few minutes, of taking the key out of the ignition lock cylinder.
   
   
4. Intelligent car AC system
   • AC automatically comes on, while moving the thermostat to cold.
   • When defogger vent is switched, the air intake moves to outside air automatically.
   
   
5. Child Safety - door, window, airbag
   • Child lock knob available on rear doors and boot door.
   • Child window lock available in Z2(base) model as well
   • If a child below 6 years sits in the front seat, please disable the passenger airbag.
   
   
6. Auto electronics cut off on car lock
   • Internal and external lights go off after a few minutes of locking the car.
   • This save the car's battery from going dead.
   
   
7. Third row fold - lock in place
   • There is a hook to hold the folded third row in place. Many Scorpio-N owners complain that the third row fold opens and falls on items kept in the boot.

Its difficult to explain in detail, so I have made a video for the same. Hope this is informative and helpful to not only Scorpio-N owners but also to every car owner keeping safety on top priority.

https://youtu.be/I8d19iz9Nxc?si=iMKfFXTkiQFMgoTX