Something else will do

PITSTOP

Feverish preparations are going on at Mahindra & Mahindra. They are getting ready to introduce the first major revamp of their best-selling Scorpio.

The most important change in the new Scorpio will be at the rear end, where the leaf springs are giving way to a new coil spring setup. With inputs from Lotus of UK and tested at the Millbrook proving grounds, the new rear suspension will improve the ride quality of the Scorpio, to make it comparable to that offered by sedans.

Other changes include a scoop on the bonnet, new, tall taillamps, revised seat mountings, a redesigned instrument panel and 235/70-spec tyres versus the earlier 235/75 rubber. The front end gets a bigger stabiliser bar, while steering effort has been slightly increased to offer better feedback.

The new Scorpio will be ready for launch early next month. Incidentally, Mahindra is also evaluating a long wheelbase version of the Scorpio to offer better interior room, but that's still some time away.

Classic weekend

Something special is taking place this weekend in Mumbai. It's time for the Vintage & Classic Car Club of India's annual rally.

Over 100 vintage and classic cars and motorcycles will be participating at the rally, including the Buick McLaughlin, SS Jaguar and Wolseley from the Vijay Mallya collection, a gorgeous Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental, and even a 1965 Porsche 356. Expect to see ancient Jaguars, Chevrolets, MGs, Rollers and Bentleys wending their way from Kala Ghoda to Bandra and back.

Judges at the event include famed restorer and author Manvendra Singh Barwani and Mohsin Akram, president of the Pakistan Vintage Car Club. The rally will be flagged off at 9 am on Sunday, 26th February 2006. So be there to get an eyeful of shiny, classic automotive metal.