Mahindra Scorpio-N Receives Zero-Star Safety Rating in ANCAP Crash Test, Here's Why

The Mahindra Scorpio-N has been put through an ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) crash test, and has received a zero-star safety rating. The Scorpio-N SUV scored 44 per cent and 80 per cent for adult and child protection, respectively, together with a 23 per cent score for vulnerable road user protection and a 0 per cent score for safety assist systems. The Mahindra Scorpio-N was previously tested in December 2022, and it received 5 stars from the Global NCAP under its new safety test protocols. However, that was under less stringent testing parameters compared to the recently held crash test by the ANCAP. The reason for a drop in test scores is the absence of any form of active collision avoidance features or ADAS, which is mandatory under ANCAP's latest regulations.  

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While the Mahindra Scorpio-N sold in India and Australia are broadly the same, the scores to rate the safety performance of the SUV cannot be compared given the fact that the testing protocols of the ANCAP are not in line with global crash test protocols - which are based on a front-offset, side impact, and pole-side impact test. Besides, Global NCAP ratings also require manufacturers to make ESC, pedestrian protection systems, and seatbelt reminders for all seats as standard fitment, as per UN127 or GTR9.

Mahindra Scorpio-N: ANCAP Crash Test Results

The Mahindra Scorpio-N was adjudged to have shown a mix of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, Weak, and Poor protection for adult occupants in the frontal offset (done at 50km/h speed), full-width frontal (done at 50km/h speed), side-impact (done at 60km/h speed), and oblique pole (done at 32km/h speed) crash tests. Additionally, a far-side impact test and whiplash assessment were also done. 

In the full-width frontal test, the Scorpio-N offered 'weak' protection for the chest and 'good' protection for all other critical body areas. However, the rear passenger's head, neck, and chest showed 'poor' protection, with a penalty applied for high seatbelt loading. Furthermore, in the side impact test, the Scorpio-N offered 'good' protection to all critical body regions of the driver (head, pelvis, abdomen), although the driver’s seatbelt was observed to unlatch during the deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioner.  

Mahindra Scorpio-N: Powertrain, Features

The SUV has been a popular choice among car buyers ever since its launch. Features-wise, it gets cruise control, front and rear cameras, dual-zone climate control, six airbags, ABS with EBD, hill-assist control, wireless phone charging, etc.

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Under the hood, the SUV gets two engine options: a 2.0-litre petrol unit and a 2.2-litre diesel engine. The former produces 198bhp of maximum power and 380Nm of peak torque, while the latter generates a maximum power of 173bhp and a maximum torque of 400Nm, depending on the variant. Both engines get a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. But the more potent variant of these two motors also comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission. While the 173bhp diesel unit is offered with a 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system, the SUV comes standard with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration.