Oliver Keohane spent a week getting familiar with one of Mahindra’s Special Edition double-cabs, the Pikup Karoo Storm.
Based on the S11 Pik Up model, the Karoo Storm Special Edition hits the road with a little more presence, an obvious adventure-driven intention and a very competitive price of R634 999.
Mahindra’s Special Edition Karoo double-cabs include the Dask, Dawn, Dew, and Storm models, the latter offering a Storm Grey colour package with a grey decal set.
The colour is striking, but so is the styling, and just from the outside, various features grab your attention and make Mahindra’s adventure-based model noticeably different from their other offerings. It’s a bias of mine, but the big Mud Terrain takkies are a great look. The Karoo Storm rides on top of a set of 265/75/R16 Bridgestone Duelers; big white lettering in case you didn’t know! Not only are the dimensions of the 16-inch rims ideal for off-roading, they have also been hardened to handle rougher terrains (the spare rim too).
Mahindra’s Special Edition bakkies also all come with an uprated off-road suspension – featuring heavy-duty gas-filled off-road shock absorbers, heavy-duty custom-designed leaf springs and new suspension bushes – to complement the big tyres. Selectable four-wheel drive, with a low-range option and rear diff-lock make Mahindra’s Pik Up special edition a comprehensive off-road package.
Face on, the big steel bull-bar complements a front bumper sporting fog lamps and LED dual projector headlights, while the fitting of recovery and hitching points add style and utility to finish off the aggressive off-road look.
Inside the cabin, leather seats and steering wheels come standard in all Special Edition Models, with Karoo stitching on the headrests and the same detailing on the rubber floormats. There are also pretty interesting adjustable armrests for both driver and passenger, that do make you feel as though you’re getting ready for a flight – perhaps this effect is exaggerated by the height at which you sit too!
Mahindra has upped their game in terms of comfort and entertainment in the Special Edition Pik Ups, introducing a range of features to enhance the overall driving experience. These include a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system equipped with a reverse camera, Bluetooth phone compatibility, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The convenience extends to cruise control, climate control, and a multi-function steering wheel. Electric windows and central locking add to the practicality, while front and rear 12V charging points cater to charging needs on the go. The Pik Ups are equipped with rain-sensing windscreen wipers, Follow Me Home headlamps, light-sensing headlamps, and static bending headlamps for improved visibility and safety. Additional features include a one-touch lane change indicator and a remote fuel cap, operated electrically.
Safety features across all three Karoo models include ABS, EBD, driver and passenger airbags, autolocking doors, side impact protection bars, a collapsible steering column, and Isofix Child Seat Anchors.
All The Mahindra Pik Up Karoo special editions are equipped with the 2.2-liter, 4-cylinder mHawk turbodiesel engine, delivering 103 kW and 320 Nm of torque through a six-speed automatic gearbox. The engine out-performed its numbers, at least it felt like it. The Pik Up had some oomph (more oomph than what I though 103 kW would feel like on such a big vehicle), and despite the obvious ride-quality effect of the Mud Terrain tyres, acceleration was smooth and the general ride quality was good at highway speeds. You just have to be a bit more cautious in corners and accept the fact that you essentially do not have a turning circle – again, not the engine’s fault, but rather those big shoes!
In terms of efficiency, I got a combined fuel economy of 9.8L/100km; decent considering both the size of the Karoo Storm and the fact that I was only able to drive it oin fairly short trips. The payload capacity is 995 kg, and the braked towing capacity is 2,500kg, with an unbraked capacity of 750kg.
Overall I thought the Karoo Storm special edition was a very cool vehicle; it comes equipped with all the necessary entertainment and safety features, while still retaining a fairly simple and rugged package that speaks more to the practicality of a proper off-roader than the trimmings of a luxury, lifestyle vehicle. It also looks really good; the decal works, the big tyres give it an imposing stance, and all the off-road trimming are both useful and stylish. At a pricepoint below R700k, it’s worth investigating for those customers whose main priority is off-roading capability and general practicality.
Mahindra Pik Up Karoo Storm special edition at a glance
- Price: R634 999
- Engine: 2.2-liter, 4-cylinder mHawk turbodiesel engine.
- Power: 103 kW.
- Torque: 320 Nm.
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic gearbox.
- Off-road System: Selectable four-wheel drive, low-range, rear diff-lock.
- Payload Capacity: 995 kg.
- Towing Capacity (Braked): 2,500 kg.