Mahindra, the Indian automaker unveiled five new upcoming electric models on the eve of the 76th Independence Day of India in the UK. The launch was held at MADE in Oxfordshire with much fanfare at the world’s premier special event. MADE or Mahindra Advanced Design Europe is the official EV design studio of Mahindra in the UK.
Mahindra & Mahindra gave a clear indication of getting into the electric segment after joining hands with Volkswagen. The partnership agreement is to use their tech and platform to develop Mahindra’s electric range of SUVs. The event was to unveil the future launches of Mahindra’s concept electric SUVs in the coming years.
Born Electric Vision
Mahindra has come to launch into the electric segment with their two new brands, Electrifying Twin Peaks and BE. Both the brands are designed keeping in mind the diverse style, nature, and requirements of their customers. Here is a detailed break-down of Mahindra’s philosophy behind both brands:
- Mahindra Electrifying Twin Peaks XUV
- Born Electric or BE
Electrifying Twin Peaks XUV
The iconic range of automobiles XUV is much celebrated by Mahindra. The new brand reveal continues with the twin peak logo over XUV and is directed to follow the legacy of Mahindra products to intensify the EV product portfolio. The idea behind the new approach is to build new designs on Mahindra’s established legacy while combining future-ready innovations.
The upcoming new SUV models by Electrifying Twin Peaks XUV are:
- XUV.e8
- XUV.e9
The brand is targeted at customers who want to make a difference yet have a passion for life to cross boundaries. The new products under the brand would give a new reach to the company by being future-ready or probably having a hybrid or electric options among iconic products from their existing range.
BE
BE is the bold, fierce, and innovative electric-only branch of the House Of Mahindra. The company is targeting the generation e with the Born Electric or BE brand name, who doesn’t need to fit into a certain category. The brand encapsulates all customers who “Be what they want to be”, the brand’s tag line.
The upcoming new SUV models by Born Electric or BE are:
- BE.05
- BE.07
- BE.09
All three models of BE brand are more edgy and robust looking than the XUV brand. However, the design form stays quite similar to the existing Mahindra product designs.
Five New Concepts
The all-new five concept vehicles launched by Mahindra in the event are:
- XUV.e8
- XUV.e9
- BE.05
- BE.07
- BE.09
XUV.e8
XUV.e8 is the first upcoming launch by Mahindra as XUV.e8 is expected to launch around December 2024. First among all five new concepts by the company the model is the electric version of the existing XUV700. Same silhouette as the ICE counterpart with the changes of a bigger infotainment screen and tires among others. The cowboy mustache LED lights to stay standard in both the new models.
The size and form are close to the XUV 700 model and look strikingly edgier. Almost everything looks similar except the front of the SUV, which has some significant changes in grills and lights. The tires are bigger than the ICE version with 20 inches compared to 18 inches stock in XUV700.
The SUV will have the INGLO platform and would come with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options. 60 kWh battery pack would offer up to 282 horsepower, and the 80kWh version would go around 389 horsepower. The expected range on this kid is 500km or about 310 miles on a single charge.
Known information of XUV.e8
- Expected Launch Date: December 2024
- Dimensions: L x W x H: 4740 x 1900 x 1760 mm
- Wheelbase: 2762 mm
XUV.e9
XUV.e9 is an all-new electric vehicle concept by Mahindra under its XUV brand. The coupe design is an exceptionally revolutionary modern design for the Indian EV market. The enormous sky roof and bigger size would definitely make head-turn on the roads.
The inspiration of the design appears to be that of XUV Aero with its stubby form factor. However, the reimagined aerodynamics and signature LED lights in the front and back of the EV add more character to the overall refined design.
Known information of XUV.e9
- Expected Launch Date: April 2025
- Dimensions: L x W x H: 4790 x 1905 x 1690 mm
- Wheelbase: 2775 mm
BE.05
The first Born Electric eSUV or SEV (Sports Electric Vehicle) is expected to launch in October 2025. The design looks strikingly rugged with the wide angled air-ducts and big wheel arches on the side. There is a clear design definition using Black accents on the coupe-style SUV by the latest BE brand from Mahindra.
The sloping sky roof looks elegant as compared to the robust lines along the coupe silhouette. C-shaped rear lights suit heavy bumpers at the back. The cabin looks focused more on the driver as there is a two-spoke steering wheel and a prominent center console dividing the passenger seat from the driver. Mahindra plans to create a new category with SEV branding of its BE.05 EV.
Known information of BE.05
- Expected Launch Date: October 2025
- Dimensions: L x W x H: 4370 x 1900 x 1635 mm
- Wheelbase 2775 mm
BE.07
BE.07 is designed to suit families as the brand lists the SUV as a family eSUV. The form factor is similar to that of BE.05 but is smoother and less edgy. It retains the wheel arch and bulky rear elements of the BE.05 though.
Known information of BE.07
- Expected Launch Date: October 2026
- Dimensions: L x W x H: 4565 x 1900 x 1660 mm
- Wheelbase: 2775 mm
BE.09
BE.09 would be the flagship coupe EV of the BE brand. The prototype is still under wraps as any additional details are still underway. The main highlight of the coupe is the front with impressive lighting and aerodynamic details. Mahindra plans to make the BE.09 the biggest and most premium among all new concepts.
Known information of BE.09
Apart from it being based on the INGLO platform and being a four-seater, there is nothing revealed so far.
INGLO Platform
INGLO stands for Indian at heart and global in its reach. Mahindra unveiled the new platform that is built to suit all the future requirements of EVs by the company. Mahindra is calling INGLO a modular platform that can work as a standard platform for all big or small designs of future electric vehicles.
The purpose-built INGLO is a result of the joint tie-up of the Mahindra and Volkswagen term sheet agreement. In this alliance, Volkswagen would supply components to Mahindra for all five EVs launched in the event with the possibility to have future collaborations. The best part of the INGLO platform is that it is designed to fit in both powertrain configurations, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive effortlessly.
INGLO Platform features:
- Efficient battery management system.
- The platform can offer 170kW power to 250kW configurations.
- 0 to 100 KPH in only six minutes with the new powerful platform.
- The platform is scalable and modular to fit variable lengths and sizes of an SUV.
- 175kW fast charge feature to charge up to 80% in only 30 minutes.
- Brake-By-Wire technology for multiple brake modes.
- 5-star future Global NCAP rating for the best protection for passengers and battery pack.
- Boron steel battery pack protection.
INGLO HMI
INGLO platform would house the best AI interaction with its futuristic Human Machine Interface or HMI. They are calling it the heart of the future electric machines to give you limitless multi-sensory connections. The INGLO platform comes with 5 Radars-1 technology to ease its way into the autonomous driving experience.
The in-cloud INGLO HMI platform would offer an incredible take on the machine-to-human connection using the neural strength of the INGLO AI. The platform is built to give sporty intentions to all new Mahindra SUVs.
INGLO HMI would connect the user to use the bar design edge-to-edge panoramic display infotainment system. The HMI would work on three high-performance computers to access an integrated computer platform capable of millions of interactions every second.
INGLO HMI Features:
- Edge-to-edge vista panoramic display.
- 360-degree vision for autonomous driving.
- Embedded 5G connectivity capability.
- Octa-core processor and over-the-air updates.
- Plug-and-play interface that can even run household appliances.
What To Expect In The Future
Mahindra is already making heads turn with the way they have become the pioneer of the SUVs market in India in the last three years. Grabbing the electric route is surely going to give the company a much-needed grasp on the industry. Mahindra and Volkswagen partnership along with the 250 million capital investment by British International Investment is a significant milestone.
Both the new brands by the automaker, BE, and Electrifying Twin Peaks look fantastic, and we should soon see some more details of the launched prototypes. Honestly, The House of Mahindra is doing a great job at combining the design, concept, and performance with these new concept launches. We are definitely digging the way they have termed the roof to be MARS roof (a saliant satire we would say!).
Tesla is way ahead of its time given the business is running successfully now after two decades of inception. However, there were challenges at every step for them too. Mahindra’s both new brands would suit the diverse requirements of new-age customers. INGLO platform offers a flexible base for designing SUVs and future electric cars without having to change the platform architecture. The cutting-edge design of the platform and tires is claimed to be more durable and functional reducing significant rolling resistance.
Moreover, if they are using the Volkswagen MEB platform, what is INGLO’s purpose really? Mere rebranding? We need some more clarification here as the actual launch is still going to take two-three years as per the expected launch date.
The event looks promising, and we would wait for some new information revealed by the Indian automaker. Moreover, some reactions by Musk won’t hurt either. Write down below what you think of the event and the all-new five launches or if you would like us to do a detailed review of each model by Mahindra. Please share your views in the comment section below!
