Mahindra launched a new bakkie – And it’s coming to South Africa

Indian auto giant Mahindra has pulled the covers off the soon-to-be-launched Lifestyler, which will be named the Scorpio Lifestyler in its home market.

The highly anticipated bakkie was first revealed as a concept in Cape Town in August 2023, and will be launched across international markets, including South Africa, early next year.

With its sights set firmly on the midsize bakkie segment, Mahindra’s next-generation bakkie features body-on-frame architecture, advanced technology, and rugged capability, informed by global consumer insight.

While not much has been revealed about the bakkie, Mahindra confirmed that it was designed with the local market in mind.

Dr Velusamy Ramasamy, President of Mahindra Automotive Business, said the carmaker’s vision was to create a world-class global pickup that raises the bar for the segment.

“The Scorpio Lifestyler is a testament to the strong product development capabilities at Mahindra Research Valley (MRV),” he said.

“Built on our advanced next-generation body-on-frame architecture, it has been engineered to deliver the capability, durability, safety and refinement demanded by customers around the world.”

Mahindra Chief Design and Creative Officer, Pratap Bose, added that the bakkie is inspired by how our customers work, play and explore.

“Combining bold exterior design, plush interiors and SUV-like comfort with unmistakable Mahindra toughness, it brings style and refinement to every journey,” he said.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO of Mahindra’s Automotive Division, added that the Scorpio Lifestyler represents the convergence of global engineering and evolving customer aspirations.

“As we prepare for its India launch, we see a growing appetite among customers for a vehicle that delivers authentic capability without compromising on technology, safety, comfort or everyday usability,” he noted.

With pricing, features and specifications still under wraps, the only thing we really know for sure is that the Mahindra Lifestyler is set to debut by April 2027.

What to expect

Mahindra is targeting the midsize lifestyle bakkie segment across several global markets, including South Africa and Australia.

As a result, the Lifestyler has been designed to meet diverse customer needs and market requirements, and to meet the evolving expectations of modern pickup customers.

According to the Indian carmaker, the Lifestyler has been engineered to adapt seamlessly across diverse terrains, environments and pursuits.

To showcase this, Mahindra unveiled three derivatives of the bakkie – the Valley, Reef, and Trail Editions – each taking inspiration from different regions.

The Valley Edition was created for those who seek a blend of work and leisure, combining practicality with refined comfort and finished in Artemis Grey – a colour inspired by the layered hues of expansive estates.

The Reef Edition was inspired by the spirit of freedom and discovery, and designed for those constantly drawn to the outdoors and new vistas, with an Aquareef finish that mimics the shades of the ocean.

Finally, the Trail Edition embodies the Lifestyler’s go-anywhere character and is finished in Sahara Beige, taking inspiration from vast sandscapes.

Mahindra said the model unveiling marks an important milestone for its global growth strategy and its vision of creating a world-class bakkie for customers across its international markets

Mahindra Global Pik Up