Mahindra S11 Pik Up Auto: A mix of value, tech and design

Before I tell you about the exciting pick-up vehicle, Mahindra SA received some positive news recently. Mahindra SA has become the fastest-growing Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), a fact made possible by the growing support the brand is receiving from the national customer base and dealer network.

The growth came in one of the toughest years that South Africa has seen in the last decade and it supports the view that customers see Mahindra as a truly South African brand, with the right mix of value, technology and design. This is a good time to start telling you all about the Mahindra Pik Up Automatic.

“South Africa is the first country in the world to officially launch the all-new Pik Up Automatic, which is only fitting since it was the testbed for this model. There has been an overwhelming demand for an automatic transmission in our bakkie range, and we believe we have the perfect answer with the S11 and S11 Karoo AT,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.

S11 Eye-catching design

The new automatic transmission is not the only change to the Pik Up flagship. The new S11 specification level boasts a new grille and bumper, upgraded headlamps and other subtle luxury changes to the design to make sure that it immediately stands out as the top-of-the-range model.

Image by Naresh Maharaj

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 that are reminiscent of the range-topping Mahindra Scorpio. In addition to the new front design, the S11 Automatic Pik Up has colour-coded side mirrors with integrated indicators.

Luxury Comes Standard

To further boost the premium appeal of the all-new S11 Automatic Pik Up, Mahindra has added a host of new luxury features as standard on all models.

Taking centre stage is a brand-new 7-inch touch screen infotainment system with a capacitive interface. This new system offers Bluetooth connectivity, a multitude of entertainment and vehicle information screens and full turn-by-turn navigation as standard. The infotainment screen also displays the image of the inbuilt reverse camera in full colour.

Image by Naresh Maharaj

All S11 models have an adjustable multi-function steering wheel that controls the infotainment, phone and cruise-control systems. As the most luxurious model in the range, the S11 carries over all the luxury and safety features of the manual S10 models.

Built on the Pik Up DNA

While the Pik Up S11 Automatic and S11 Automatic Karoo are the most luxurious models in the range, they share the same tough and durable DNA of their siblings.

All Pik Up Double Cab models feature a standard ground clearance of 210 mm, an approach angle of 34 degrees and a departure angle of 15 degrees. The high standard ground clearance and narrow-fitting side rails mean that the Pik Up has a very impressive breakover angle of 18 degrees.

Warranty, service plan and pricing

The all-new S11 Automatic and S11 Automatic Karoo will be available with a standard 4-year/120,000km technical warranty and free roadside assistance plan. It also has a comprehensive service plan for 5 years or 100,000km. The first lubrication service is at 10,000km and every service thereafter will be done at intervals of 20,000km.

Image by Naresh Maharaj

The double cab pricing is as follows:

• Mahindra Pik Up S6 4x2: R312,499
  
• Mahindra Pik Up S6 4x2 Karoo: R322,499
  
• Mahindra Pik Up S6 4x4: R342,499
  
• Mahindra Pik Up S6 4x4 Karoo: R352,499
  
• Mahindra Pik Up S10 4x2: R347,499
  
• Mahindra Pik Up S10 4x2 Karoo: R352,499
  
• Mahindra Pik Up S10 4x4: R377,499
  
• Mahindra Pik Up S10 4x4 Karoo: R382,499
  
• Mahindra Pik Up S11 AT 4x2: R384,999
  
• Mahindra Pik Up S11 4x2 Karoo AT: R399,999
  
• Mahindra Pik Up S11 AT 4x4: R414,999
  
• Mahindra Pik Up S11 4x4 Karoo AT: R429,999

Verdict

Image by Naresh Maharaj

The consumer has been offered an awesome mix of value, technology and design. The ride on tarred roads was smooth and quite. The ride in very rough and tough terrain saw the Pik Up pass with flying colours. It went over and around the largest boulders effortlessly. It’s no wonder that Mahindra South Africa has achieved significant growth in the country since its establishment in October 2004, and since then it has sold approximately 60,000 vehicles. There is one that will fit your price range.