Mahindra & Mahindra recently showcased their upcoming all-electric SUV model lineup at an event conducted at their facility in the UK on the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day. The August 15th event previewed five upcoming SUVs, all of which are based on Mahindra’s new Indian Global (INGLO) platform. The company plans to go into production soon with four of the five models, and the first INGLO-based all-electric SUV is likely to debut later in 2024.
Mahindra & Mahindra has taken the wraps off five EV SUVs, namely – the XUV.e8, the XUV.e9, the BE.05, the BE.07 and the BE.09. The range will start off with the launch of the XUV.e8 next year which will be similar to the Mahindra XUV700. We round up the details on all the models that were showcased.
Mahindra doubles down on electric with 5 new EV SUVs coming by 2026
Mahindra & Mahindra have gone to town and showcased a lineup of five new electric-only SUVs that it intends to launch between 2024 and 2026. The SUVs are based on the INGLO platform that can accommodate SUVs from 4.3m to 4.7m in length with a seating capacity of up to 7 people. The SUVs are expected to come with 218mm of battery ground clearance and will be available in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive form factors with multiple power outputs.
Mahindra INGLO Platform
Mahindra & Mahindra has developed its Indian Global (INGLO) Platform along with the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric drive toolkit. The INGLO architecture will underpin all the five upcoming EVs from the Indian automaker.
The INGLO Platform makes use of the Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (LFP) battery technology which will lend the car four to five times the battery longevity and safer chemistry as compared to the now mainstream Lithium Ion battery technology in widespread use. The INGLO Platform also earns credibility for being lightweight. The cars built on the platform will tip the scales from 2.5 tonnes to 2.7 tonnes, which is lesser than other vehicles in the category.
The modular platform has its front and rear ends fixed, with the middle section being modifiable. The INGLO architecture will support two wheelbase options – 2762mm and 2775mm. The platform will also support battery sizes from 60 to 80kWh battery packs. This would result in a WLTP estimated range of about 450km. The battery system will also be capable of charging at 175kW with a 0 to 80 percent charging time of 30 minutes.
In terms of the drive train, the INGLO platform will be predominantly an RWD layout with a power output ranging from 231PS to 260PS. There will also be an AWD layout available with a power output of 340PS to 400PS. Mahindra claims that it would boast of a 0 to 100kmph time of 5 to 6 seconds, depending upon the output.
Mahindra will also focus strongly on the safety of the vehicle with an aim for 5 stars at most leading NCAP test cycles. The Indian automaker has extensively used high-strength Boron Stell to reinforce the platform. The battery compartment has also been designed to stay isolated in case the vehicle encounters an impact during a collision.
The platform will ride on a McPherson Strut upfront with a five-link suspension at the rear. The vehicle will ride on adaptive dampers on all four corners to improve ride, handling and comfort.
The INGLO platform will also have technology as its strong suite, with support for up to three 12.3-inch screens that will use high-speed computers with dual octa-core processors. The screens are likely to boast an FHD resolution, and the tech will be capable to connect to 5G. Mahindra also says that it would get Vehicle to Everything (V2X) connectivity that could allow vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and the system could result in improved road safety, energy savings, and traffic efficiency on the road.
5 Mahindra EVs based on the INGLO Platform
Mahindra will use this freshly based EV architecture to underpin five of the new EV SUVs that it previewed. The Indian manufacturer would first launch the electrified XUV700, called the XUV.e8 and later its coupe SUV twin, the XUV.e9, sometime in 2024. Later, in 2025, Mahindra will launch its ‘Born Electric’ or BE EV models, which will include the BE.05, the BE.07 and the BE.09.
XUV.e8
The XUV.e8 will be the first one to see the light of the day and will be the first EV from Mahindra to run on the INGLO Platform. The XUV.e8 is essentially an electrified XUV700, with a similar three-row layout and other familiar design styling cues.
The new platform, drivetrain and redone bodywork have resulted in the XUV.e8 being 45mm longer, 10mm wider, and 5mm taller than the XUV700. The XUV.e8 will be powered by a rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive set-up and will get battery pack options up to 80kWh. The power on the XUV.e8 would range between 230hp to upwards of 350hp.
XUV.e9
The XUV.e9 will be the next in Mahindra’s electrified stable and will adopt a stylish coupe-like design. The brand is expected to debut in April 2025 and is a five-seater model, unlike the XUV.e8. The XUV.e9 will measure 4,790mm in length, 1,905mm in width and 1,690mm in height.
The XUV.e9 bears a strong yet fashionable design language, with hints of LED lighting signatures being shared with the XUV.e8. It also draws some inspiration from the XUV Aero Concept that was showcased back at the 2016 Auto Expo. The high tail section ends in a fastback-like, highly raked rear windscreen, and the tail is flanked by a connected pair of LED tail lamps. The XUV.e9 also wears a gloss black trim and cladding on the outside, which could indicate a form over-function approach for this vehicle.
BE.05
The Mahindra BE.05 will be the first ‘Born Electric’ vehicle and could be one of the quickest Mahindras in history. The BE.05 is being touted as a SEV or Sports Electric Vehicle. The BE.05 sure looks the part as well, with a dropping bonnet line, heavily sculpted bumpers and vents to let air in and out.
On the inside, the BE.05 gets a driver-focussed cockpit. It gets a two-spoked steering wheel and twin displays for the MID and the central infotainment system. The interiors are finished in a grey fabric with highlights of bronze and piano black accents. The BE.05 also gets an aircraft-style gear selector lever and a rotary dial.
BE.07
The BE.07 is one of the more restrained EV SUVs that were showcased and is 4,565mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,660mm in height and gets a 2,775mm wheelbase. While the design is full of exciting elements with strong character lines and sharp creases, the overall silhouette speaks of a conventional box-shaped SUV.
On the inside, the BE.07 adopts the full suite of triple screen setup, and the centre console seems to be devoid of physical buttons and controls. Mahindra could shift most car functions to the three screens and fix touch-based buttons with haptic engines for other remaining controls.
BE.09
The BE.09 is the last of the ‘Born Electric’ line of EV SUVs from Mahindra and is also the one that has not been signed off yet by the company. Thus a launch timeline and dimensions still remain a question mark. However, by the looks of it, the BE.09 is a coupe-like SUV and could be larger than the BE.05, given that it’s going to be based on the BE.07 SUV.
The design follows the footsteps of the BE.07 SUV and obeys flatter surfaces and straighter lines, thus giving it a more upright look. While powertrain options have not yet been highlighter, Mahindra says that the BE.09 will be a four-seater SUV.
