Life and Times of a 1,50,000-Kilometre Mahindra Scorpio Getaway

A 1,50,000-kilometre-old Mahindra Scorpio Getaway has served as a vital company vehicle for Ouseph Chacko and his business partner Rish, who run an off-road motorcycle school and adventure touring company. Purchased for around 11 lakh rupees on-road back in 2016, the pickup truck was initially acquired to support long-distance cycling, kayaking, and camping tours by hauling expensive gear, cycles, and kayaks. Over the years, it transformed into an essential utility vehicle that withstood heavy off-road use, cross-country motorcycle transport, and flood relief work.

Modifications And Rescue Work

To prepare the vehicle for tough trails, the owners added a Lamda cable-operated locking differential in the rear axle, manual locking hubs for the front axle, a two-inch body-lift kit, off-road minus-30 offset steel wheels, and faux wheel arch extensions. They also equipped it with a canopy, custom bicycle mounts, a roof-mounted tent, a side awning, solar panels, an AC-to-DC converter, a roof carrier, a snorkel, a Warn M8000 winch, metal off-road bumpers, and nine auxiliary lamps. In August 2018, when severe floods struck Kerala and left parts of the region unreachable, the Getaway joined the local 4x4 community to transport clean bedsheets, drinking water, and food through bonnet-deep water for three days.

Maintenance And Mechanical Costs

Following a crackdown on modified vehicles by the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department, the owners stripped off most extra fittings while keeping the winch, snorkel, and mud-terrain tyres, along with a comprehensive tool kit and a medical kit. The truck runs on a preventive maintenance schedule requiring oil and filter changes every 5,000 kilometres, leaf spring realignment every 15,000 kilometres, and an annual paint spa for the bed to prevent rust. The 2.6 CRDe engine has never needed an overhaul, but the clutch and rear differentials have faced heavy wear, with rear differential replacements costing around 40,000 rupees. Despite carrying heavy loads like a 250kg Tiger 1200 motorcycle across thousands of kilometres to save on high bike tyre wear costs, the Getaway delivers around 10 kilometres per litre of diesel with a 600-kilometre range.