The Scorpio gets a complete makeover for the first time in over a decade. We chose the fun way to find out how much of a sting this four-wheel arachnid packs this time round…
Story: Jim Gorde
Photography: Rommel Albuquerque
Not everyone believes in the stars, but the fact that they shine brightly on dark nights cannot be denied. Some of them are a guiding light and never leave your side even in the darkest of times. Unlike the constellation which shines stealthily in a corner of the night sky in the last quarter of each year, the Scorpio is one star which has shone, and shone bright throughout the year, for many, many years. It’s been a trusted family car, highway roller, farmland friend, off-roader and plain city cruiser in all its years of existence. Even today, it is one of the best-selling names in the raw SUV category; unaffected by the inflow of crossover technology with car chassis bases and independent suspension and, worst of all, front-wheel drive.
The new Scorpio stays true to its roots and packs in essential creature comforts on principally the same old base and heart, but with tune-ups and material changes galore, and a slew of new variants. The one we received was the top-of-the-line RWD model – the S10. First impressions, the aggressive front looks leaner, maybe not meaner, but definitely more focused. The projector headlamps with an LED eye-liner may look contemporary, but the black-and-chrome grille tips in favour of its macho character. The side profile isn’t all too different, a line here and a cut there, but the new 17” alloy wheels wrapped in 235/65 rubber do look the part. Move over to the rear and it’s all different. Let’s be honest, it is a tall rear profile, but the new tail-lamp clusters look extremely attractive, with the twin red rings and the black-belt appearance, which is more reminiscent of sumo wrestling than karate.
