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- The new range of Mahindra authentic bakkies departs on a three-country adventure
- Expedition celebrates the new brand promise – Unleash The Explorer In You
- Expedition to prove that the Mahindra Pik Up is tough, reliable and now even more capable.
Centurion: How do you best showcase the capabilities of your flagship bakkies, which were inspired by the great South African outdoors? You take them to the places that birthed them.
In this case, the flagship bakkies in question are the three new tough and authentic Pik Up Karoo models that joined the range from July. The models are the Pik Up Karoo Dawn, the Karoo Dusk and the Karoo Storm – each carrying its own signature design that links back to the semi-desert area that named them and the Karoo Pik Up model range.
A convoy of the Karoo Dusk, Dawn and Storm departed yesterday on a three-week journey through the most rugged and unforgiving terrain in South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho. On the way, these Pik Up models will be shown to dealers and customers, many of whom have placed orders for one of the new flagship bakkies without even setting eyes on them.
“In June, we revealed our new corporate identity and our brand promise – to Unleash the Explorer in You. While every Mahindra bakkie or SUV delivers on that promise, the three Karoo flagship models do so with aplomb,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.
Rajesh explains that the promise to Unleash the Explorer in You was birthed from the desire of Mahindra customers, and South Africans in general, for adventure and excitement, especially after two years of being hemmed in.
The brand promise also coincides with the new Twin Peaks logo and corporate identity that Mahindra showed for the first time at the national launch of the new Pik Up models at the end of June.
“We realised that Mahindra is in a unique position to help South Africans unleash their inner explorer with our range of accessible and affordable products and with made-for-purpose adventure vehicles like the Karoo Dusk, Dawn and Storm.”
The Mahindra Adventure
After leaving the Mahindra Head Office in Centurion, Gauteng, the expedition of three Pik Up started heading west to the border of South Africa and Namibia. Along the way, the convoy will visit some of the most demanding off-road trails and routes in the Free State and Northern Cape as well as the Mahindra dealers en route.
The convoy will also make its way to KwaZulu-Natal to conquer some of the most challenging 4×4 courses and routes that they can find. From here, they will make their way back to Mahindra’s South African headquarters.
“Each leg of our tour was carefully chosen for its beauty, its challenging routes and its proximity to some of our best-performing dealers. We will visit the dealers along the route to show them the new Karoo Dawn, Dusk and Storm and to whet their customers’ appetite,” says Rajesh.
The team will be lead on an adventure at every step of the journey with clues they receive daily from Mahindra and their task is to navigate to their destination. Customers following the adventure, can live the journey and become part of the experience.
Flagship features made accessible
The Mahindra Dawn, Dusk and Storm together form the flagship model range for Mahindra’s Authentic Bakkie range. All three models are fitted with a dedicated heavy-duty off-road suspension that is unique to these models.
All three models are equipped with Mahindra’s tried and trusted 2.2 mHawk turbodiesel engine that delivers 103 kW at 3 750 rpm and 320 Nm of torque from 1 500 rpm to 2 800 rpm. Power is delivered to the rear wheels, in 2WD, or to all wheels in 4WD low- and high-range via the Mahindra six-speed automatic transmission.
While each version is unique in its design, all three versions share luxuries such as climate control, electric windows, cruise control and leather seats.
Also standard across all three models are a special hardy Karoo carpet set, a nudge bar, a load bin-mounted Karoo sports bar and a rubberised load bin. A custom-designed set of hardened off-road rims are fitted to all three models, including to their spare wheels.
Mahindra has also fitted a custom-designed off-road approach and departure bumper set to all three flagship models. These bumpers are anchored to the chassis and have LED front fog lamps, heavy-duty steel recovery points, non-slip steps and even a ready-to-fit space for a winch.
Lastly, all three flagship models also have a new 9” touch-screen infotainment system with HD display, in-built maps and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Where the three models diverge from each other are in their unique styles.
The Karoo Dusk is finished in black to symbolise nightfall in the desert. It has black and blue Karoo Dusk decals. It also has an additional lockable roller shutter door that is fitted as standard.
The Karoo Dawn meets the morning sun with a special sandy beige body colour. It forgoes the roller shutter door in favour of a heavy-duty roof rack and flush-mounted tonneau cover. It has bright orange and black decals.
The last flagship model is the Karoo Storm. This model is finished in a light blue colour with a tonneau cover and black and grey decals.
The Karoo Dusk, Karoo Storm and Karoo Dawn models are all sold with a 4-year/120 000 km mechanical warranty and 5-year/90 000 km service plan.
Follow the adventure
Mahindra will keep in contact with the convoy throughout the trip and will share the exciting updates as the bakkies traverse the three countries’ most challenging off-road routes via their social media channels.
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