Indian brand Mahindra seems to be preparing for the electric era as it announced five new SUV concept cars previewing future production models for the XUV and BE sub-brands. The concepts are based on Mahindra’s new EV skateboard platform called Inglo, using components from VW Group’s MEB architecture. The concepts introduce us to Mahindra’s new design language which is called “heartcore”. The SUVs are divided into two different brands – the 05, 07, and 09 wear the BE emblem, while the E08 and E09 get the familiar XUV emblem.
While there are a few shared design cues
including the thin LED lighting signatures and the muscular bodywork with
angular surfacing, the BE-branded SUVs look more futuristic than the ones from
XUV which are presumably closer to production status. We should note that all
of the concepts were only shown in the form of digital renderings, which means
that we’ll have to wait for the real-life prototypes.
In terms of the interior, we get to see
the cabin of the BE 05 and 07, as well as the XUV E09. The BE 05 has a digital
cockpit with two screens in a single panel and ambient lighting surrounding the
driver. The BE 07 has a full-width screen on the dashboard alongside digital
mirrors. Finally, the XUV E09 brings a more production-ready three-screen
layout with larger bezels and a more conventional design for the center
console. Mahindra also talks about an augmented-reality heads-up display, 5G
connectivity, and over-the-air update compatibility although it is not clear if
all models will get those features.
The Inglo modular architecture will be
using components from the VW Group’s tried-and-tested MEB platform following a
recently announced agreement between the two companies. The shared components
will be “the electric drivetrain, the battery system, and the battery cells”. The
Inglo architecture will be compatible with 60-80 kWh battery packs, similar to
those used by VW Group’s electric SUVs. Mahindra says that the 175 kW fast
charging capability will allow the battery to reach 80 percent charge in less than
30 minutes. In terms of the fully electric powertrain, the platform comes in
either rear-wheel-drive form with a single electric motor producing 228 hp, or in all-wheel-drive guise with dual electric motors producing a
combined 335 hp. Interestingly those figures are higher than
the current MEB-based EV offerings from the likes of Audi, VW, and Skoda. The
most powerful configuration will allow Mahindra’s EVs to accelerate from 0-100
km/h in less than 6 seconds.
Other features highlighted in the
presentation include a semi-active suspension, brake by wire technology, Level
2+ autonomy, and an expected 5-star safety rating in the Global NCAP tests.
Mahindra mentioned that a total of 1 million units are set to be produced based
on these underpinnings, although the final supply agreement with VW Group will
be finalized towards the end of the year.
The production versions of the XUV E08/E09
and BE 05/07 will be launched between 2024 and 2026. The first model will
arrive towards the end of 2024, starting from the Indian market. Together with
the concept presentation, the company inaugurated its new design studio in
Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK, called Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (M.A.D.E),
which will operate alongside the current design studio in Mumbai, India.
