Mahindra Imperio – All You Need to Know About Small Commercial Vehicle

Here’re the key details small CV buyers must know about the stunning Mahindra Imperio pickup truck. Read on!

To carry on the success streak initiated by the Mahindra Bolero, the Indian homegrown UV major came up with the Imperio pickup truck. Positioned as a premium small commercial vehicle, the Mahindra Imperio promises to offer the same rugged appeal of a traditional UV from Mahindra, but in a slightly more modern-looking package.

Here are the top ten points one should know about the Mahindra Imperio:

• It was introduced as a replacement to Mahindra Genio

Mahindra tried to cash in the popularity of the Bolero pickup truck and tried to expand the lineup of small commercial vehicles with the introduction of the Genio. Based on the same platform as that of the Xylo MPV and Quanto compact MPV, the Genio was somewhat drab and basic in its overall appeal.

Mahindra took note of all of its shortcomings, went back to the design board and came up with the Mahindra Imperio, which looked slightly more modern and premium as compared to the Genio which it replaced.

• It comes with only a diesel-powered powertrain

As with a majority of the small commercial vehicles available in the market right now, the Mahindra Imperio is powered by a single diesel engine option. The oil burner in question is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, which pumps out a maximum power output of 75 PS and a peak torque output of 220 Nm.

This is the same engine that one can find in the Mahindra Bolero pickup truck versions as well. And like in the Bolero pickup, the engine of the Mahindra Imperio too is coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. The ARAI claimed fuel efficiency of Mahindra Imperio is rated at 13.55 kmpl.

• It is offered in both single cab and double cab body styles

The Mahindra Imperio is offered in a total of four different variants, with two each for the single cab and double cab body styles. Talking about the single cab body style first, it is available with two different variants – Standard and VX.

Compared to the bare bones Standard version, the VX variant comes with few comfort and convenience essentials like manual AC, full floor console with bottle holders, fabric upholstery, wheel caps and body-colored front bumper. The VX variant of the double cab Imperio also comes with the same set of these additional features over the Standard version of it, and in addition, also includes 2-DIN audio system, second row of seats, rear demister, keyless entry and central locking, power windows and follow me home lights.

It is quite evident then that if you are looking for a pure load hauler, the single cab versions make more sense. However, if your driving cycle involves ferrying more than two people as well, the double cab versions are to go for.

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• Double cab versions measure smaller than single cab versions

This might come as a surprise to many, but the double cab versions of the Mahindra Imperio are comparatively smaller than the single cab versions of the commercial vehicle.

At 5180mm, the overall length of the double cab Mahindra Imperio is a full 100mm lesser than that of the single-cab version, the length of which measures at 5280mm. However, the width and wheelbase of both the versions are same at 1890mm and 3220mm respectively.

• Single cab versions have better payload capacity than double cab versions

Thanks to a bigger flatbed for carrying luggage behind the passenger cabin in the single cab versions as compared to the double cab ones, the former offers better load carrying capacity.

The payload weight of Mahindra Imperio single cab stands at 1240 kg for the Standard variant and 1220kg for the VX variant. On the other hand, the payload weight measured for the double cab versions of the Mahindra Imperio are rated at 1090kg for the Standard variant and 1070kg for the VX variant.

• It gets a basic suspension setup under the skin

The Mahindra Imperio might be featuring a more modern design over the Bolero pickup truck and the Genio which it has replaced. However, under the skin, it comes with the same rugged mechanical setup as that of the other two pickups mentioned above.

The overall suspension combination of the Mahindra Imperio has independent arms at the front and leaf springs at the rear. Clearly, load carrying capacity is given a more priority over driving dynamics here, which is understood given the vehicle’s nature. The Mahindra Imperio rides on 225/75 R16 tires all around.

• It has got a modern design

Compared to the utilitarian-looking Mahindra Bolero pickup, the Mahindra Imperio comes with a very likable design, with the high ground clearance and modern and uplifted front fascia giving it an SUV flavour. The front grille looks premium with its teeth-like silver inserts, while the body-coloured front bumper looks cool with those round provisions for fog lamps.

• Interior cabin layout similar to Mahindra Xylo

The overall cabin of the Mahindra Impreio seeks a lot of inspiration and shares its layout with that of the good old Xylo MPV. The three-spoke steering wheel, centre console with curved AC vents on the top, round AC vents on the corners of the dashboard, gear lever, analogue instrument console, gear lever and seats are all lifted off from the Mahindra Xylo.

The whole cabin is finished in black, and with modern features like power windows and music system, it feels much plusher as compared to the raw and rugged Bolero pickup.

• It is the most premium small commercial vehicle from Mahindra

The Mahindra Imperio currently is positioned as the flagship vehicle in the small commercial vehicle from Mahindra, and is positioned above the other small and more basic Mahindra CVs like Jeeto and Bolero pickup. 

• It is not a lone warrior in its segment

Yes, the Mahindra Imperio, with its slightly modern design, surely has got competition in the small commercial vehicle segment. The direct rival to the Mahindra Imperio is the Tata Yodha. Also, there is the Isuzu D-Max Hi-Lander too, which offers the same levels of utility, but in a slightly bigger and pricier package.

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