Mahindra's 30MPG Fiction
Mahindra’s abortive plans to bring its rugged diesel-powered pickups to the US began back in 2007, just as gas prices were starting to run out of control. Now, after years of delays, steadily-increasing prices and general neglect of the compact pickup market have served only to whet our appetite for efficient little developing world-style trucks. Throughout the the last several years, Mahindra has battled with its US distributor, pulled out of other US efforts and generally failed to deliver… all while dangling the dream of a 30 MPG diesel pickup at hopeful enthusiasts. But, as it turns out, Mahindra’s problems don’t end with distribution: though its diesel engine was approved by the EPA, we hadn’t seen EPA confirmation for the long-held 30 MPG goal. Well, the EPA just released the window sticker for the Mahindra TR40 [via MahindraPlanet], a 4X4 four-door version of its 2.2 liter diesel pickup… and it gets nowhere close to 30 MPG.
That’s right, try 19/21 MPG. If you can’t find a rugged, reliable used pickup that will return that kind of mileage all day long, you aren’t trying hard enough. Sure, the two-door version might be more efficient, but will it realistically hit 30 MPG? We doubt it. On the other hand, this disappointing news will help the Mahindra-curious let go of a fantasy that was clearly too good to be true.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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It's unfortunate that we have no EPA numbers for the 3/4-ton and 1-ton diesel trucks. It would be interesting to see how much the mileage figures have fallen with the new emission standards. I've heard the fuel economy is now very poor.
My '97 Ranger, 4cyl. 5-speed gets consistent 20-22 in the city in above freezing weather when the AC is off. In really cold weather or with AC on in summer it gets 18-20. It's been years since I took it on the open road, but the last time I did it got 24. As the only complaint I have about the Ranger's overall design is that the cab is a bit narrow, these Indian trucks would not interest me even if the mileage was better.