Publications
- Mahindra has bolstered its commercial vehicle offerings in South Africa.
- New refrigerated bakkie joins a range of bespoke models for local businesses.
- Two versions of the chilled Pik Up are available, based on your needs.
- For motoring news, go to Wheels24
Earlier in October, Wheels24 reported that Mahindra is now offering a range of competitively priced, custom-built commercial vehicles suited to various utilitarian needs and budgets in South Africa.
This week, the company pulled the covers off its latest "business partner", a refrigerated bakkie offering based on the popular Mahindra Pik Up S4 chassis cab model. The standard chassis cab model sells for R214 999. Mahindra recommends getting in touch with your local dealer for exact pricing of the new chilled bakkie.
Would you consider buying one or more of Mahindra's latest business-oriented vehicles for your business? Why? Let us know in the comments section below, or please send us an email here.
Mobility solutions for big and small businesses
The new Pik Up Refrigeration Unit follows closely in the tracks of the Pik Up Ambulance, the Pik Up Mining Specification bakkie and the Pik Up Game Viewer. All these models have been developed locally, are assembled with the assistance of Mahindra's Assembly Facility in KwaZulu-Natal and retain a full factory warranty.
"When we opened our local assembly facility in 2018, we emphasised that this not only strengthens our commitment to South Africa as our second home outside of India, but it allows us to adapt our vehicles to local needs and budgets," says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.
"The Pik Up Karoo is perhaps our most popular and best-known local addition to the range. But for business professionals looking for a reliable, capable and affordable Game Viewer, mining-approved bakkie, Ambulance, and now with this Refrigerated Unit, these specialised vehicles are top-rated," he adds.
Enough pulling power to haul frozen goods
Based on the Pik Up S4 Chassis Cab, the new Refrigeration Unit offers 103kW and 320 Nm from its standard 2.2-litre four-cylinder mHawk turbodiesel engine. The shunt is delivered to the bakkie's rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.
The Refrigeration Unit has a loading capability of 733kg in its refrigerated box, which boasts an impressive 6385-litre loading volume.
Its beefy Pik Up underpinnings also mean that the Refrigeration Unit can tow up to 750kg, and it can, on request, be fitted with a part-time 4x4 drivetrain for rural or plot use. Mahindra's MLD locking differential is standard on all models.
READ ABOUT THE RARE MAHINDRA PIK UP KAROO DUSK HERE.
Developed by experts for durability
Mahindra and its supplier-partners were able to offer this impressive loading capacity, thanks to a design where the large square insulated box is fitted above the wheel arches. This means that the installations team can fully optimise the box without any intrusion from the wheel arches or other chassis parts.
The refrigerated box was designed to offer the best possible performance and is available in two versions, a Chiller with a maximum cooling ability of -5 degrees Celsius and a Freezer unit with a maximum cooling ability of -20 degrees Celsius. Mahindra notes that developing two options can cater to both the retail market with products such as meat, ice cream and other chilled or frozen foods and the medical market, which needs much colder temperatures to transport vaccines and other medicines.
Both the Chiller and Freezer options are powered by an additional compressor in the engine bay, which is linked to a digital control unit in the cabin. This unit offers real-time feedback on the temperature inside the refrigerated box and allows the driver continuously to monitor and control the temperature. The Chiller and Freezer units are also fitted with an aerodynamic evaporator and condenser unit fitted to the front of the refrigerated box, and it extends over the roof of the Pik Up. This ensures the most optimal cooling and improves the vehicle's aerodynamic performance.
The Mahindra Pik Up Refrigeration Unit is available immediately from all dealers across the Mahindra network.
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