Mahindra's diesel pickup drops 'Appalachian' name
While it might not be the prettiest girl at the prom, we're still extremely intrigued by Mahindra's upcoming diesel pickup for the American market. Up until today, we've been referring to the new truck as the Appalachian, though reports now indicate that it will drop that moniker. Apparently, the Indian company wants to highlight its own name in an effort to build some much-needed brand recognition in a market it has never played in before. For that reason, some sort of nondescript name made from numbers and/or letters is to be expected.Mahindra's newly un-named truck will feature a new four-cylinder diesel engine produced just for the States with help from Bosch and AVL. Power output should hover around 150 horses, though torque is expected to be a massive 300 lb-ft. Coupled with what should be reasonable fuel economy from just 2.2 liters of displacement, we think that Mahindra's new pickup could re-ignite the compact pickup market in no time at all. At least one domestic brand might be thinking the same thing, as this spy shot indicates that one of Detroit's finest brought one over for testing.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jerry Hightower 5:34PM (6/14/2008)
Maybe they could call it UGLY-1. Although it is kinda cute. It looks like something out of the 70's.
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paul34 5:59PM (6/14/2008)
Let's admit it - not many compact pickups are very attractive to begin with. It is sort of a "bastard child" category - heh.
MD Drew 1:15PM (6/15/2008)
That's It!
The Mahindra Bastardito!
Torrent 5:32PM (6/14/2008)
Mahindra Tacoma...
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paul34 5:33PM (6/14/2008)
Sounds great. A lot of automakers have indeed pretty much abandoned the small pickup market.
It should be making a come back as people slowly realize that they don't need something the size of Texas and 4-wheel drive to haul around a small toolbox.
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The Luigiian 5:50PM (6/14/2008)
I would like it, but diesel costs so much more than gas I don't know if I could afford the extra cost, even if it can haul 2,600 pounds.
As for the name: Mahindra Manatee. Suits the ugly beast.
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DKB_SATX 6:25PM (6/14/2008)
It's not nearly fat and rounded enough for manatee to fit well.
You comment on the price of diesel fuel, but a 2.2l diesel with a 6spd should probably get pretty good mileage, especially compared with another pickup offering 300 lb-ft of torque. I don't think any of the "mid size" trucks (nearly the size of full-size 1/2-ton trucks in the '80s) offer 300 lb-ft, you have to get into the V8s for more cost and lower fuel economy.
It's an ugly spud, yes. So are the old Toyota pickups that people still prize today. It's a real truck, not a drive-to-the-office truck.
The Luigiian 6:33PM (6/14/2008)
You're right DKB, it's no uglier than a lot of other trucks (especially the new Tacoma and big wheel flares, Lord). But it's also not a real good choice for the typical truck buyer. People who use trucks to commute don't need this, and the diesel's going to pollute more. That's why I like the (admittedly uglier) Toyota A-BAT concept for commuters. Hybrid gas engine with a midgate and four feet of bed space is as much as most truck buyers need, and I see no reason to force them into a car when they just want to ride high and have something that can occasionally haul small loads.
I worked on trying to make the A-BAT less ugly in a series of cartoons, and talked about the midgate on my website. If anybody's interested in reading on some changes to the vehicle, I've got it on my website below. I'd like some criticism, so feel free to critique if you so desire.
http://luigiianrepublic.wordpress.com/toyota-a-bat/
Don 9:50AM (6/15/2008)
It'll better serve the country if we don't buy this thing at all. We don't need Mahindra gaining a foothold here.
why not the LS2LS7? 6:08PM (6/14/2008)
I'd love to see the compact pickup market pick up again. But this ugly beast isn't likely the vehicle to do it.
Additionally, at least traditionally the compact pickup market has been heavily driven by entry cost, and putting a turbo Diesel into a compact pickup isn't going to help the up-front pricing. Mahindra better hope that compact pickup customers look past that more than they have in the past.
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1337 4:23AM (6/15/2008)
This is the first time since the 1970s that fuel economy has been a priority for a large portion of consumers. While the Dodge Dakota's V8 engine was once a selling point in the traditionally I4/V6 small and midsize truck class, an efficient diesel has now become a similar comparative advantage over the competition.
For most drivers, the premium over an I4 Ford Ranger, the only direct competitor, will quickly be recuperated in fuel savings. The Mahindra promises utility, efficiency, and a low price, which are likely to drive strong sales.
1337 5:13AM (6/15/2008)
This is the first time since the 1970s that fuel economy has been a priority for a large portion of consumers. While the Dodge Dakota's V8 engine was once a selling point in the traditionally I4/V6 small and midsize truck class, an efficient diesel has now become a similar comparative advantage over the competition.
For most drivers, the premium over an I4 Ford Ranger, the only direct competitor, will quickly be recuperated in fuel savings. The Mahindra promises utility, efficiency, and a low price, which are likely to drive strong sales.
rar 9:51AM (6/15/2008)
@1337, a low price? this truck starts around 25,000. You can pick a Ranger for less than 15,000. 10 grand will buy you a lot af gas. If you still think this is a great truck, please read the Ausi's review. I would guess most people would get a Ranger.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/4701/2007-mahindra-pikup-4x4-road-test/
BigMcLargeHuge 10:17AM (6/15/2008)
That Australian pricing is not proof that it will be $25K in the US. Everything imported Down Under costs significantly more than in the US. My father lives there now and he say's there is like a 30% markup on all vehicles compared to what you would pay in the US.
I still wouldn't put a price of less than $20K to start out of the realm of possibility just yet.
BigMcLargeHuge 10:28AM (6/15/2008)
Ah, I just read starting at $22K. Yeah, if thats for a 4x2 single cab version, thats too much.
BigMcLargeHuge 6:33PM (6/14/2008)
Maybe this will pave the way for more attractive competition.
Its a good idea, it just needs a little styling work... make that a lot of work.
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john 2:29PM (7/31/2008)
"The diesel is going to pollute more".
NOT true for new diesel technology. New diesels are often cleaner than their gasoline competitors and get 30% plus better fuel economy.
Diesel has changed and it will be one of the answers to less oil dependence.
A&W 6:47PM (6/14/2008)
That seven slot grill might be to close to Jeep and Hummer. The warranty sounds good but what are thier dealership plans? Seems like they should already be building dealerships if they are going to start selling this next summer. Kind of sad if this is the hope of the compact truck market. If Ford could rework the current Ranger to have similar engine,warranty,and price this Mahindra XABC-123 would have a slim chance of surviving.
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Dan 6:52PM (6/14/2008)
There's currently a several year supply of barely used trucks on the market that they can't give away. Autotrader is swimming in 2 year old F-150s and Chevys for under 12 grand.
This isn't what you want to be competing with to sell me a first year vehicle with an untried diesel at a starting price well over 20.
I'm all for a tough little small truck, but this is the wrong product at the wrong time.
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snakesausage 7:17PM (6/14/2008)
Hey, it may not be pretty but what matters is how it fits the need... Substance over style. I wish that it had a manual instead of an auto. Any word on 4-wheel drive? This truck needs to be priced around $12K base and $15K with 4-WD and all options.
This truck is what I am in the market for, we have heard rumors of a VW and a Jeep and those would be fine if they hurry (especially the jeep). I want a simple manual six-speed diesel truck with hand crank windows, 30-MPG highway and a low price.
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