Indian brand Mahindra has shaken up its Genio ute range to coincide with a 2018 model year update, dropping 4×4 variants but introducing a revised Euro 5-compliant turbo-diesel engine and extra standard equipment.

With plumbers and carpenters among its key target audience with its value-for-money positioning and, in 4×2 single cab guise, its 1,260kg payload and 2.7m-long Australian-made Triple M aluminium tray, the Genio is priced from $21,990 drive-away for the entry-level tray-backed single cab and $25,490 for the dual cab chassis.

The revised 2.2L four-cylinder ‘mHAWK’ turbo-diesel engine continues to produce 88kW of power at 4,000rpm and 280Nm of torque from 1,800-2,800rpm, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. There is no automatic transmission available.

The move to Euro 5 is required by Australian regulations and left Mahindra dealers short of supply for a period with the changeover from Euro 4. It brings fewer emissions and improved fuel economy, the latter now rated at 7.L per 100km on the official ADR 81/02 combined-cycle test for the single cab and 8.1L/100km for the dual cab.

This is a reduction of up to 0.5L/100km and is partially due to the introduction of a fuel-saving stop/start system, which cuts the engine when idling (such as at traffic lights) and automatically restarts when moving off again.

Mahindra says that with the 74L fuel tank, the driving range is now as high as 900km, depending of course on the driving conditions.

While payload for the single cab is above 1.2t, the double cab can carry 1,100kg. Both body styles have a braked towing capacity of 1,800kg. The heavy-duty tray on both measures 177mm wide and 490mm high, with length stretching from 1,950mm on the dual cab to 2,700mm on the single.

Among the new equipment on-board the Genio is electronic hill descent control with rollover mitigation. This adds to standard safety equipment of electronic stability control (a Bosch ‘Generation 9’ system), ABS brakes and dual front airbags.

Creature comforts fitted standard include air-conditioning, cruise control, central locking, multi-function (and tilt-adjustable) steering wheel, front seat armrests, electric windows/mirrors, variable intermittent windscreen wipers, and CD/MP3 stereo/radio with SD card and USB ports.

The dual cab also includes a trip computer, while the entire range comes with front fog lamps, follow-me-home headlights, 15” steel wheels (with full-size spare) and a useful array of storage facilities.

Options include a dealer-fit ‘Tradie Pack’ (with Bluetooth hands-free phone kit and dual USB charging socket), steel towbar, alloy bull bar or nudge bar and alloy wheels in black or silver trim. The only exterior colour choices are black, white or silver; metallic paint is a no-cost option.

The warranty runs for three years or 100,000km, with roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for the period.