THERE ARE FEW TOUGHER challenges for an SUV than to cross the daunting Simpson Desert. High temperatures, thousands of sand dunes, steep climbs (and even steeper descents) … if a vehicle can withstand all of that, it should be more than capable of handling what Australian motorists are likely to throw at it.
As if that isn’t enough of a challenge, Mahindra sent its flagship model, the recently launched Scorpio into the forbidding landscape with the brief to set a new Guinness World Record for the “Fastest crossing by a production vehicle of the Simpson Desert”.
The Scorpio handled the task with casual ease, blazing through the challenging terrain of the Simpson Desert with unmatched speed and performance.
The Mahindra Scorpio showcased exemplary performance throughout the expedition, crossing 1100 sand dunes and enduring peak outside temperature of 50 degree Celsius, all in 13 hours, 21 minutes and 5 seconds. The Mahindra Scorpio was co-driven by Gene Corbett (Total Driver) and Ben Robinson (4WD Industries) which was verified by officials at Guinness World Records as “The fastest crossing by a production vehicle of the Simpson desert in 13hrs 21 mins 5 secs, achieved by Gene Corbett and Ben Robinson on the 16th March 2023 in a Mahindra Scorpio-N.”
Sachin Arolkar, Head International Operations, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “Our iconic SUV has broken a Guinness World Records title by achieving the fastest crossing by a production vehicle of the Simpson desert in Australia. This is an incredible feat and is a true testament to the Scorpio’s unbeatable combination of high-end engineering, performance capability, and durability. We are proud to have pushed the boundaries of what is possible with this vehicle, and we cannot wait for Australian enthusiasts to experience the thrill that Scorpio brings.”
Gene Corbett said, “The Mahindra Scorpio has truly proven its unbeatable durability, high endurance, and unmatched capability by becoming the fastest production vehicle to cross the Simpson Desert, the toughest desert crossing in the world. I am proud to be a part of history by setting this record and have enjoyed every bit of it. The Scorpio boasts pure traction and offers an authentic SUV experience with its 4XPLOR terrain management system, making it as capable as any 4WD on Australian soil. Scorpio’s journey, conquering over 1100+ sand dunes in a gruelling 13-hour drive across the challenging Simpson Desert, truly captures the essence of global motoring. Witnessing this awe-inspiring feat first-hand has left me in awe of the Scorpio’s exceptional performance and durability.”
Importantly, the record-setting Scorpios were absolutely stock standard, other than the replacement of the standard MRF tyres with Cooper all-terrain tyres and the removal of the two rear rows of seats for additional fuel storage.
The Simpson Desert is a tempting obsession for motoring enthusiasts around the world, and on the bucket list of many over-50s adventurers. The stunning scenery is constantly changing while boasting a multitude of fauna and flora – mainly spinifex hummock grasslands and acacia scrublands. The record-breaking journey commenced at the crack of dawn in Birdsville and concluded at Alka Seltzer Bore, all completed within 13 hours, 21mins and 5 seconds. Along the 385km long journey, there were salt flats 20 metres above sea level with high moisture content, making it tough for vehicles to cross without a halt. High endurance and performance capability make the Scorpio fit for Australia’s rugged outback while performing extremely well on road as well.
Scorpio was launched in April in Australia. SUV enthusiasts in Australia can now experience the unparalleled performance and capabilities of the Scorpio first-hand for $41,990 driveaway price for Z8 variant. The SUV went through rigorous six- month testing across Australia and is engineered to fulfil segment benchmarks across all critical parameters: performance, capabilities, technology, sophistication, ride and handling, NVH, interiors and appearance. The vehicle is known as Scorpio-N in other global markets.