10 Powerful Diesel SUVs Launching Soon: MG Majestor To Mahindra Scorpio N Pick Up
Diesel engines are slowly dying across all segments. SUVs are often associated with massive size and big diesel engines. We currently have a few options in the market, and there are brands that still feel diesel engines are sensible. Here we have a list of 10 such diesel SUVs that are launching in our market soon.
MG unveiled its flagship SUV earlier this year. Earlier, it was said that the Majestor would be sold alongside the Gloster, but now we have reports that the Majestor will replace the Gloster. This D+ segment SUV comes with a host of premium features like leather upholstery, electric seats with a massage function, a panoramic sunroof, Level 2 ADAS, a touchscreen infotainment system, multi-zone climate control, and more.
It is an extremely capable SUV both on and off the road. It comes with a low-range transfer case, 10 driving modes, and 810 mm water-wading capacity. It is powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine which generates 215 bhp and 480 Nm of torque.
Mahindra has been testing the Scorpio-N facelift for a while now. It looks like the upcoming facelift will get a revised front grille, bumper, new alloy wheels, and a larger infotainment system from the Roxx. It will continue to be offered with the same 2.0-litre turbo petrol and 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine options with manual and automatic transmission options.
Along with the Scorpio-N, the original Scorpio, or the Scorpio Classic, is also expected to get a facelift. It is expected to get minor cosmetic changes and will continue to draw power from the detuned 2.2-litre mHawk turbo diesel engine that generates 130 bhp and 300 Nm of peak torque. It will be offered with a manual transmission only.
The current-generation Fortuner has been around for a while now. It is currently the king of the segment in the Indian market despite its steep price tag. The next-generation Fortuner is already being tested internationally, and it looks like the upcoming model will get a design inspired by the new Hilux that was showcased recently. It will continue to use the same 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine with mild-hybrid tech and the 2.7-litre petrol engine.
As Toyota already has the Hilux on sale in India, we expect the ninth-generation Hilux to come here as well. It is based on Toyota’s IMV platform and comes with a front fascia that Toyota calls the “Cyber Sumo Face.” It will retain its 2.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that makes 201 hp and 500 Nm, similar to the Fortuner.
Mahindra has been testing the 3-door Thar lately, and from the test mule images available online, it looks like Mahindra is planning to upgrade the headlamp setup and grille on this SUV. It might get the projector LED setup from the Roxx and also integrated LED DRLs. The engine options will remain the same: a 2.2-litre turbo diesel, a 2.0-litre turbo petrol, and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel, with both manual and automatic transmission options.
Mahindra, at the time of the Roxx’s launch, mentioned that they might follow the same strategy as the 3-door Thar. They said they would bring a more affordable version of the Thar Roxx with a smaller 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbo diesel engine. This engine will generate 115 bhp and 300 Nm of peak torque.
Mahindra is also working on its next-generation SUVs, and the Vision S concept would be one of the first to be launched among them. It is a boxy-looking SUV based on Mahindra’s NU_IQ platform, which is flexible for multiple body styles and powertrains. The production version of the Vision S will come with both turbo diesel and turbo petrol engine options with manual and automatic transmission options.
Skoda, like many brands, had discontinued diesel engines. However, they have confirmed that they are planning to reintroduce diesel engines in certain models. The Skoda Kodiaq SUV, which is currently their flagship model, will be one of those. It will be brought to India as a CBU, which means it is going to be expensive, and Skoda has also mentioned that they will bring only limited numbers.
Mahindra sells the Scorpio Getaway as the Pik-Up in many international markets. Lately, we have been seeing test mules of Scorpio-N-based pick-up trucks on our roads. It is available in both dual-cab and single-cab options. It is possible that Mahindra might introduce the Scorpio-N-based pick-up in India, especially since we now have models like the Isuzu V-Cross and Toyota Hilux in the lifestyle pick-up segment.