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Mahindra Pik Up

Mahindra a real bakkie bargain

So, you’re in the market for a new double-cab 4x4 bakkie and you just had apoplexy when you looked at the price list at the back? At an average around half a million and the top end teasing the three-quarter bar mark, it’s just not funny anymore. But there are some really good alternatives out there – not least this honest Indian Mahindra. Not only does it look a hell of a lot better thanks to its recent facelift, but the pride of India has it all and then some at a snip – just R350K will buy you one. It’s fully specced, has everything most other ‘full cream’ rivals will offer, plus a few. Never mind that it totes a full tonne (most rivals make do with fractions of that); it can pull a quite handy two-and-a-half-ton trailer and rest assured, if it’s rugged enough to tame India, it’ll do just fine in Africa too. Pik Up lacks nothing in performance for its third-off price tag either – from its 11 second 0-100 dash to 8l/100km, it matches the best there too. The only possible barrier may just be cultural, but if that opening line refers, then all you need to do is to cross that final barrier – it certainly makes sense. Or is that cents?    

MINI TEST: Mahindra Pik Up 2.2CRDe double cab 4x4 S10      
Engine: 103kW 320Nm 2177cc I4 turbo diesel
Drive: 6-speed manual 4x4
Payload: 1000kg
Braked Trailer: 2500kg
TESTED:
0-100km/h: 11.29 sec  
0-160km/h: 32.33 sec
0-400m: 17.6 sec @ 124km/h 
80-120km/h: 8.80 sec
120-160km/h: 16.15 sec
CLAIMED:                 
Vmax: 170km/h
Fuel: 8.1 l/100km   
CO2: 221g/km  
Price: R355 000
RATED 78%