The indigenous sports utility vehicle (SUV) Scorpio is going for a makeover. Utility vehicle major Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) is currently working on a new set of refinement for its flagship SUV slated for the US debut in 2009, the first Indian car to hit the US roads. M&M is working on a state-of-the-art four-channel anti-lock brake systems (ABS), occupants safety system, new lumber seats and air bags, six-speed automatic transmissions, four-wheel drive with electronic shift and a electronic vehicle stability system to be introduced in the Scorpio’s US variant. This version would be launched in India after three years.

M&M is making some fundamental changes in the Scorpio to meet stringent legal requirements of the US market. The company is also developing a new communication and navigation system for the SUV, to be fully customised for the US. The new features would be futuristic and expensive for the Indian market. While the US debut is two years away, the domestic market will have to wait for a while for the high-tech Scorpio. Mahindra already exports Scorpio to Malaysia, South Africa, Russia, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and other countries in Europe where it is known as Mahindra Goa. The company is also working on four new platforms, which will roll out 10 new vehicles by 2010. Most of them would be global products for the worldwide market.