Mahindra Bolero

March 23, 2016: Based on India’s most popular SUV, Mahindra Bolero pickup is a great pickup truck with five different options. It is available in two wheelbase options of 3,014 mm and 3,264 mm, and two engine specifications, that is, MDI 3200 Trubocharged Diesel and MSI 2500 CNG. While diesel churns out 63 bhp power and 195 Nm torque, the CNG motor is good for 70 bhp power and 181 Nm torque. The regular pick-up and camper variants are available in both 2WD and 4WD options with body type of Flat Bed, Cabin and Chassis and Pik-up being same for all models and fit for city loads. The payload capacity lies in the range of 710 - 1,060 kg and Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is between 2,510 - 2,960 kg. Its cabin interiors feature power steering, mobile holder and charger, reclining driver seats, space for music system and dual tone interiors with AC being optional.

Mahindra Bolero Pickup - Expert Review

Overview

Being one of the famous Indian manufacturers for off-road and utility vehicles, Mahindra has earned good name in commercial vehicle segment as well. There are many pick-ups and mini trucks on offer by the company and among them, Bolero Pick-up is one which has carved a niche for itself.

Based on India’s famous Bolero SUV platform, Bolero Pick-up is available in both diesel and CNG options to comply with buyers as well as environment’s need of going green and has many other variants based on features, dimensions, etc. to provide more flexibility while purchasing.

Specs:

Engine - 4-Cylinder MDI 3200 Turbocharged Diesel and MSI 2500 CNG

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - 2,510 kg - 2,960 kg

Wheelbase - 3,014 mm and 3,264 mm

Power Steering - Optional

Engine and Performance

Made available in 2 fuel options of diesel and CNG, Bolero Pick-up has MDI 3200 Turbocharged 4-Cylinder 4-Stroke 2,523 cc Diesel Ignition for diesel motors and same engine with spark ignition for CNG motor options. While the diesel pump churns out 63 hp of maximum power @ 3,200 rpm and 195 Nm of torque @ 1,500 - 1,800 rpm, CNG motor is able to belt out decent 70 hp of power @ 3,200 rpm and decent peak torque of 181 Nm @ 1,400 - 2,000 rpm.

Also, the common in all variants of both fuel options Single Plate Dry Type clutch and 5-Speed Manual Synchromeshed gearbox, Bolero Pick-up could accelerate faster than most of its competitors and has good enough gradeability to climb on the steeps.

Vehicle Built and Load Capacity

Mahindra Bolero Pick-up is available in body type options of Flat Bed, Cabin and Chassis (CBC) and Pik-up (2WD/4WD). The pick-up is also divided into 3 major models named as Bolero Pick-up (A), Bolero Pick-up Camper (B) and Bolero Pick-up CNG (C). The overall dimensions of Length (L) for Flat Bed and CBC variants of model A are 5,219 and 5,017 mm with width, height and wheelbase being same at 1,670 mm, 1,865 mm and 3,264 mm. These dimensions for Pick-up 2WD/4WD variants of same model are 4,859 mm, 1,670 mm, 1,180 mm and 3,014 mm for length, width, height and wheelbase.

Talking about the Camper (B) model, the overall dimensions of its 2 variants, that is Gold and 2WD/4WD are 5,030 x 1,670 x 1,885 (l x b x h) mm and 4,859 x 1,670 x 1,810 mm respectively with common wheelbase of 3,014 mm. The only CNG model (C) variant has overall dimension of 5,219 x 1,670 x 1,865 (l x b x h) mm with wheelbase of 3,264 mm.

Coming to load capacities, model A has Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) capacity of 2,960 kg and 2,750 kg, model B has GVW of 2,510 kg and 2,750 kg with respective kerb weight of 1,800 kg and 1,725/1,805 kg and payload of 710 kg and 1,025/945 kg for Gold and 2WD/4WD variants. And, the model C’s lone Flat Bed variants has GVW of 2,880 kg with kerb weight of 1,820 kg and payload of 1,060 kg.

Handling and Suspension

With power steering available only in specified variants, that is Bolero Pick-up Flat Bed PS and Camper Gold VX, rest of the Bolero Pick-up variants under all model series are equipped with manual steering, which is not very bad to help drivers maneuver the pick-up easily on rugged roads.

For the suspension, there are Rigid Leaf Springs at both front and rear with Anti-Roll bar provided at front and Hydraulic Double Acting & Telescopic shock absorbers for only Camper and CNG model variants.

Braking and Safety

With Tandem Master Cylinder and Vacuum Assisted Servo Front Disc and Rear Drum brakes, Bolero Pick-up offers quite good safety percentage while driver tries to stop it at high speeds with load full to its capacity. Further safety has been taken care of by offering strong chassis and base structure, lab tested material, crash tested cabin and durable frame for all the variants.

Design and Comfort

Aesthetically, this Bolero Pick-Up has been one of the best looking pick-ups around the market with many features like classy multi-reflector headlamps, Mahindra’s signature grille, new generation front bumper, tough fenders on both wheel arches and eye-catchy color options to choose from.

The interiors too are very elegant for a commercial pic-up with features like optional dual tone interiors, mobile holder and charging spots, comfortable reclining driver seats, optional AC, provision for speaker/music system, magazine pocket and much more.