Indian brand Mahindra has made healthy ground in the local market, mostly selling hard-working, rugged vehicles with the exception of the KUV100 and XUV300 small SUVs.
Sales have gone so well that the brand has crept into the top 10 selling brands in SA for November 2021 and will now offer more choice to buyers looking at an affordable double cab bakkie.
After the success of the S11 Automatic and S11 Automatic Karoo models, Mahindra has added the same auto option the S6 4×4 and 4×2 versions. The difference between S6 and S11 comes down to spec where the S11 caters more towards the lifestyle buyer with amenities such as on-board navigation, rear park distance control, rain sensing wipers, alloy wheels, multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth, climate control and auto on/off lights.
Both the S6 and S11 automatics use the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine producing 103 kW and 320 Nm of torque. Claimed fuel consumption is slightly higher for the autos than the manual – 9.3L/100 km vs 7.9L/100 km for the manual. The 80-litre fuel tank will do just over 800 km if you’re able to match the claimed consumption figure, where the manual will do more than 1 000 km per tank.
The S6 automatic Karoo derivative adds a little more comfort and style to the standard S6 range with alloy wheels, nudge bar, rear styling bar and a tonneau cover. Further to this Karooo models get colour-coded wheel arch mouldings and rain deflectors fitted to the doors.
Mahindra Pik Up 2.2 mHawk DC 4×2 S6 AT Standard – R378 999
Mahindra Pik Up 2.2 mHawk DC 4×4 S6 AT Standard – R412 499
Mahindra Pik Up 2.2 mHawk DC 4×2 S6 AT Karoo Edition – R394 999
Mahindra Pik Up 2.2 mHawk DC 4×4 S6 AT Karoo Edition – R424 999