New Mahindra Pik-Up ute revealed as concept, showroom version due 2027

The Mahindra Global Pik-Up concept has been unveiled in South Africa ahead of the showroom version’s expected introduction between 2025 and 2027.

The concept previews the Indian car giant’s plan to turn its 16-year-old pick-up from a smaller, less advanced workhorse popular in the agriculture sector, to a higher-tech global ute that can better challenge top-of-the-range rivals from Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Isuzu.

The production version of the Global Pik-Up – known internally as the Z121 – will be sold in Australia, Mahindra has confirmed, as well as South Africa, India and various Asian markets.

Showroom arrival timing is yet to be locked in, however Drive has previously reported first deliveries in 2027. Indian media reports suggest it could arrive sooner, in 2025.

MORE: Next-generation Mahindra ute coming in 2027

It will be the first new model since the current Pik-Up launched in 2007 – or almost 20 years before the new vehicle.

The Pik-Up concept is underpinned by a version of the ladder frame beneath the new Scorpio – a Ford Everest or Mitsubishi Pajero Sport rival – and is claimed to meet the "highest global and local safety standards", with the target of a five-star safety ratings.

The styling is derived from the Scorpio – sold in India as the Scorpio-N – with familiar proportions, and similar front doors and bonnet.

The show car wears an off-road-ready look, with two spare tyres in the tray, red recovery hooks, a bolder black grille design than the production Scorpio, and red-accented side steps.

Mahindra does not show the concept's interior, but claims "the infotainment system and immersive audio provide an enjoyable and entertaining journey for passengers," and highlights a sunroof and semi-automatic parking technology.

The Scorpio offers an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7.0-inch instrument display.

The Indian car giant promises a suite of "Level 2 ADAS" – the industry term for advanced safety technology that includes adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist, capable of accelerating, braking and centring the car in its lane on freeways.

Safety features highlighted in the concept include trailer sway control, drowsy driver detection, 5G internet connectivity, and "all-around airbag protection."

Autocar India reports the production Pik-Up is planned to be powered by a choice of turbo-diesel or turbo-petrol engines, depending on where it is sold.

It is likely to adopt a version of the Scorpio's 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder, which in the four-wheel-drive wagon develops 129kW and 400Nm – up from the current Pik-Up's 103kW and 320Nm.

In the Scorpio it is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, though a six-speed manual may also be available. Mahindra has confirmed four-wheel drive for the new ute.

More details of Mahindra's next-generation ute are due closer to its showroom introduction in two to four years.

"The initial launch in existing markets, including South Africa, ANZ [Australia and New Zealand], Africa MENA [Middle East and North Africa] and SCA [South and Central America]," Mahindra says in its media release.