Mahindra & Mahindra is globally unveiling a new pickup concept on August 15, the brand’s annual day of big launches. This year, the event will be held in South Africa where the automaker is going to showcase its future mobility plans.
The new pickup, codenamed Z121, will be based on the Mahindra Scorpio N’s platform. However, it will likely be getting a longer wheelbase to fit a larger load bed. We take a closer look.
Mahindra Z121: What We Know So Far
The production version of the Mahindra Z121 will be available in both single- and double-cab variants as well as a flatbed model. While the latest teaser revealed little about the design, expect it to share the exterior elements with the Scorpio N like its predecessor, the Getaway.
In terms of powertrains, the Z121 will be offered with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre turbo diesel motor. The former makes 200 bhp with 370 Nm of peak power (380 Nm with the automatic transmission). Meanwhile, the diesel unit will be the same 2.0-litre unit that will be offered with two states of tune, 130 bhp with 300 Nm or 172 Nm with 370 Nm of max torque (400 Nm with the automatic transmission). Both powertrains will be mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
Mahindra Z121: Launch Plans
The all-new Mahindra Z121 is expected to go into production around 2025 and will be exclusively sold in export markets like South Africa and Australia. Since the new model will be priced at a premium over the current model, Mahindra may choose to sell the latter alongside it.
In South Africa, Mahindra’s highest-selling models are its pickups, and the automaker was the fastest-growing brand in 2022. This is why the UV giant is pushing to target the South African market and developing new models.
