With a view to meeting growing customer needs, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) recently unveiled its premium SUV-inspired pick-up, Imperio, essentially a facelift of its Genio model for the small commercial vehicle (SCV) segment.
Said Mr. Pravin Shah, M&M President & Chief Executive (Automotive), on the ccasion: “The new Imperio will help us continue our numero uno position in the SCV segment in India. We gained an additional 6 per cent to attain a 53 per cent marketshare at the end of the first 9 months of the current fiscal (FY15-16). In pick-ups, ranging between 2 to 3.5 tonnes, we enjoy 70 per cent marketshare as of December 2015. The Genio production will be stopped as soon as the Imperio enters the market.”
Mr. Vivek Nayer, Chief Marketing Officer, Auto Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said: “The Imperio premium pick-up truck has been designed to offer best-in-class style, performance and driving comfort to our captive customers with a payload capacity of 1,240 kg and a class-leading fuel efficiency of 13.55 kmpl.”
The Imperio comes in both single cabin (SC) and double cabin (DC) options offered in a base variant and a top-of-the-line VX variant with three metallic colours like lava red, verve blue and arctic white. The SC version of BS-III models are priced at Rs. 6.25-6.60 lakhs and the BS-IV version at Rs. 6.40-6.75 lakhs (all ex-showroom, Thane). On the other hand, the DC version BS-III models are priced at Rs. 6.60-7.12 lakhs and the BS-IV models at Rs. 6.75-7.27 lakhs (all ex-showroom, Mumbai).
The sturdy vehicle has distinctive front toothed- grille, next-generation sharper headlamps, aggressive bumpers, seamlessly integrated cargo box and 16 inch radial tyres.
Under the hood the new Imperio premium pick-up truck is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder 2489 cc common rail direct injection diesel engine that produces a maximum power output of 75 hp and 220 Nm of peak torque, coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox and offering a top speed of 120 kmph.
The Imperio also comes with the fuelsmart technology that offers two drive modes – power and economy. The power mode can be used while the vehicle is fully loaded, and the economy mode can be used when it is empty.
The other special features include brake with LSPV, ORVMs, HVAC, follow-me home lights, keyless entry & telematics compatibility, tilt-adjustable power steering, lower turning radius for easy manoeuvring and low NVH levels.
The Imperio also benefits from M&M’s class leading guarantee of 3 years/1 lakh km, whichever is earlier. As in the case of the Jeeto and Supro, the new model will also be rolled out of Mahindra’s Chakan plant in Pune.
Story & Pictures by Rajesh Rajgor & Ganesh Kalidas