Launch report: Mahindra’s new Automatic Pik Up
We’ve already enjoyed some wheel time in Mahindra’s new automatic Pik Up bakkie in a world-first preview in December 2019, and came away highly impressed with the overall package. This bakkie has now officially been released to the market, and we were there to get you more details about pricing and specifications.
At home in South Africa
In May 2018, when Mahindra opened their local assembly plant in Durban, they applied the catch phrase “At home in South Africa” to indicate their commitment to our market. In fact, South Africa is this Indian company’s flagship export operation in the bakkie- and SUV arenas, and a key starting point for further expansion into other developing markets.
This status in Mahindra’s global plans enabled their local enterprise to request some special developments, aimed at increasing the appeal of their model range to local buyers. The first fruits of these special operations arrived very quickly, when the locally-developed Karoo special edition appeared in the Pik Up line-up, featuring an accessory pack which is only available to South African customers.
The response from buyers was so positive that Mahindra decided to apply the Karoo Edition treatment to other derivatives in the Pik Up range as well, eventually leading to this option pack becoming a fixture in the price lists, rather than a special (limited) edition variant. All of a sudden, the Pik Up started to appeal to leisure-focused buyers as well as those just looking for a simple, rugged workhorse – at which point the savvy marketing folks at Mahindra SA decided to really tailor this product to the requirements of lifestyle customers.
The result is a world-first development, and a product which is currently available only on our market: the new Pik Up Automatic. They’ve secretly been testing this new addition since the time the first Karoo Edition appeared, and have now released the self-shifting Pik Up to local buyers. And, seeing as South Africans clearly love the spruced-up Karoo Editions, they should appreciate the easy-driving characteristics of an automatic gearbox even more...
What’s new?
Starting with the existing Pik Up S10 as a base, Mahindra created the S11 by freshening up the styling a little, adding some extra standard features, and swapping out the S10’s 6-speed manual gearbox for a torque converter automatic unit with the same ratio count. As with the S10, there’s a choice of 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains – the latter with a low range transfer case controlled by a simple twist knob behind the gear selector.
On the outside, the main changes are to the bumper, grille and lighting units in front. There are broader chrome trim pieces on the grille slats, the lower air intake is widened, and the headlamps and foglamp surrounds have been redesigned. The styling changes are even less dramatic down the flanks, where body-colour mirror caps with built-in turn indicators serve as the sole distinguishing features, and different badging and a bump for the (S11-exclusive) rear-view camera on the tailgate are the only giveaways at the rear end.
The big news in the cabin revolves around a new touchscreen infotainment system (doubling as the rear-view camera’s display), and although smartphone mirroring still doesn’t feature on the features list and the display quality isn’t up to the best modern standards, it includes satellite navigation, voice control capability, USB- and Bluetooth compatibility, and steering wheel-mounted remote controls in its list of abilities. The centre console also plays host to the new electronic climate control instead of the S10’s manual system.
Behind the wheel
During our pre-release test drive, it was noted that the new automatic gearbox works very well indeed, and a 150-km drive during the launch confirmed this first impression. Gear changes are generally performed completely unobtrusively, and the transmission programming makes full use of the 320 Nm on offer from the engine room. Should the need arise, drivers could override the gearbox and request a different ratio with the Tiptronic-style gear shifter, but the gearbox operates intuitively enough that there’s very little need for driver intervention.
To be honest, the peak output figures from the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine (unchanged from other Pik Up variants) aren’t earth-shattering, and its outright performance won’t scare anything larger than a little 3-cylinder city car. 103 kW and 320 Nm in a big, heavy vehicle like this isn’t a lot in today’s world, but this engine distinguishes itself with the nature of its power delivery: that torque peak is really a plateau stretching from 1500 to 2800 r/min, making for a very linear power curve.
Instead of the usual 4-cylinder turbodiesel bakkie tendency of a sharp torque spike low down, followed by a gradual tapering-off of power as the rev counter approaches the 3000 r/min mark, the Pik Up’s power only peaks at 3750 r/min. This wide power band and seamless gearbox pairing makes for a very flexible drivetrain, with enough urge on tap to overtake with confidence and crisp accelerator response (for a diesel). It’s even pretty refined, with surprisingly muted overall cabin noise levels – especially when you consider that big, upright windscreen.
The ride quality is about as compliant as you could expect from a bakkie with a ladder-frame chassis and a leaf-sprung live rear axle. It’s well-damped and reasonably absorbent, but there’s no denying that there’s a hardy commercial vehicle hiding underneath all the creature comforts. The pay-off is impressive loading capacity, however: all double cabs are certified to tow up to 2500 kg (braked), 4x2 variants can haul up to 1095 kg in the load bin, and 4x4s can handle up to 995 kg – numbers that are on par with those of the class leaders.
Heading off the beaten track, the Eaton-sourced automatic rear differential lock and hill descent control (standard on all double-cab Pik Ups) made it possible for even the 4x2 bakkies at the launch event to scrabble their way to the top of the rock-strewn and heavily eroded Breedts Nek pass without any struggle at all. Generous ground clearance of 210 mm and good suspension articulation further aided its cause. And, while the 4x2s didn’t struggle, the 4x4s aced this challenge, thanks to new adjustable-speed hill descent control and their low-range transfer cases.
S11 Karoo Edition
It’s quite amazing what a difference the Karoo add-ons make to the Pik Up’s appearance. This is essentially the highest trim level in the Pik Up range, and adds a bunch of cosmetic and practical upgrades to the basic S11 package. Most notable is a set of vastly more attractive alloy wheels and swanky stickers, along with a nudge bar, side steps, sports bar (all with laser-cut “Karoo” decals in a suitably macho script). Of greater significance is the inclusion of a lockable roller deck for the load box.
Nothing changes in the cabin of S11 Karoo variants, however – they’re all equally well-equipped. In addition to the S11-specific upgrades, the standard spec sheet includes power steering and air conditioning, electric windows all round (with one-touch up-and-down in front), remote central locking, 12V power points front and rear, and cruise control.
Related: Interested in adding even more accessories to your Pik Up? We highlight some must-haves.
The value proposition
In keeping with Mahindra’s value-first philosophy, the Pik Up S11’s ultimate trump card lies in these variants' low, low pricetags. As we predicted in our pre-launch test drive, Mahindra priced the S11 around the R400 000 mark. All 4x2 variants slot in below this barrier, and the 4x4s max out at R429 999 in Karoo trim. That’s not a lot of money for a bakkie with this level of standard equipment, and undercuts other automatic turbodiesel double cabs by a significant margin. Included in this price is a warranty and free roadside assistance for 4 years or 120 000 km, along with a service plan for 5 years or 100 000 km.
Related: What is covered under the Mahindra Pik Up's manufacturer warranty?
In short, the Pik Up S11 gives you most of its opponents’ good stuff, for a fraction of the price. After dipping their toes in the leisure market with the S10 and earlier Karoo editions, the new automatic gearbox should enable Mahindra to snatch a significant chunk of this popular market segment. Capable, spacious, well-equipped and surprisingly refined, the new S11 certainly kicks off Mahindra’s 2020 on a high note.
Mahindra Pik Up Double Cab Range:
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