The first Indian manufacturer to enter the US market may also be the first to produce a light-duty diesel hybrid. Mahindra and Mahindra is expected to launch its Appalachian pickup truck and Scorpio SUV in 2010 with diesel power from a new 2.2L four cylinder engine.

In addition to the base diesel versions, Mahindra also is planning to offer a hybrid powertrain. Diesel Forecast has learned Mahindra will be displaying its diesel-hybrid truck at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress April 14-17 in Detroit.

Arun Jaura, vice President for engineering and research and development at Mahindra and Mahindra, also is scheduled to be on hand at the conference to discuss the vehicle. Before joining Mahindra, Jaura was head of vehicle engineering for the Ford Escape Hybrid program and has experience developing hybrid powertrains.

Little is known at this point about the nature of the Mahindra hybrid system. However, the new 2.2L mHawk diesel engine was developed with assistance from fuel and exhaust aftertreatment supplier Bosch and powertrain engineering consultancy AVL. The US Tier 2 Bin 5 compliant engine is expected to reach 1450-150hp and 300lb-ft of torque.

According to Mahindra's US distributor, Global Vehicles USA, the pickup should be available in two- and four-door configurations with pricing starting in the low $20,000 range. The hybrid version should cost about $5,000 more before any available tax credits are factored in.

MARCH 2008