AUTOMATIC CHOICE

MAHINDRA'S RUGGED LITTLE PIK-UP UTE GETS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR THE FIRST TIME, MAKING IT MORE APPEALING TO MORE DRIVERS

-  MATT RAUDONIKIS

AS MAHINDRA reinvents itself in Australia with its new range of SUVS including the recently released Scorpio and the soon to-arrive XUV700, the stalwart for the brand here in recent years has been the durable Pik-Up.

The current model Mahindra Pik-Up has been on sale in Australia since 2007, making it one of the oldest new vehicles still available here today. Over that time the range and specifications have changed and now we are only offered the single model the S11 double-cab, with the only real choice being a styleside rear tub or a tray-back. Gone are the farmer's-friend single-cab and dressed-up Back mHawk models, as well as the manual gearbox, as the S11 now only comes with an automatic. That's not to say these other models won't make a return, but for now there is no stock of them in Australia.

With the Scorpio wagon recently tested we thought it time to revisit the Pik-Up and sample its newish auto transmission.

The S11 Pik-Up styleside sells for $38,500 drive away, making it exceptionally attractive to buyers looking at the double-cab 4x4 ute market. Throw in a five-year/150,000km warranty, five-years roadside assist and four-years capped-price servicing, and it looks even better value. But as the Pik-Up is an older design and architecture, it lacks many of the features and comforts many buyers are looking for in a ute these days.

Despite a few upgrades over the years, the Pik-Up remains an honest workhorse. Agricultural in design and function, it is a true LCV in a market of vehicles becoming softer and more passenger car-like. Spend some time in the Pik-Up and you can see why the single-cab became popular with farmers and small businesses; it's rugged, simple and built for purpose.