Mahindra had showcased the five electric SUV concepts in August 2022 in the UK. These SUVs will be sold under two new sub-brands – XUV.e and BE, and the former will first arrive in our market from 2024. Mahindra will showcase these Born Electric SUVs in our market on February 10, 2023. The XUV.e range comprises the Mahindra XUV.e8 and XUV.e9, while the BE range comprises three modes – BE.05, BE.07 and BE.09.
Mahindra has confirmed that the first production-ready XUV.e model will arrive in our market by December 2024. The company could showcase the close to production ready model in our market in February 2023; however, Mahindra is yet to make an official announcement on the same. The new EVs are based on a new INGLO modular platform that’s compatible with different powertrain options, wheelbase, track dimensions, and AWD and RWD layouts.
The first Mahindra Born Electric SUV to be launched in our market will be the XUV.e8, which shares the styling cues from the flagship XUV700. The overall styling and seating arrangement are similar to its ICE counterpart. In terms of proportions, the XUV.e8 is 4,740mm long, 1900mm wide and 1760mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2762mm. Compared to the XUV700, the electric SUV is 45mm longer, 10mm wider and 5mm taller, and it has a 7mm longer wheelbase.
Thanks to the flat floor and longer wheelbase, the new Mahindra XUV.e8 is likely to offer more space inside the cabin. Both 5-seater and 7-seater versions could be launched in our market. Some of the design highlights include closed-off front gille, a full-width LED light bar that runs across the width, bumper mounted headlamps and a sharply designed bonnet. The rear looks largely identical to the XUV700; however, it has a slightly revised tail-lights and a slim brown/golden colour line that runs across the width and length of the SUV and merges with the LED DRLs at the front.
Mahindra has confirmed that the new Born electric SUVs will have a common battery pack design based on two cell architectures – Blade and Prismatic. The Battery Management System is claimed to offer improved range along with safety and longevity. The company has confirmed that the XUV.e8 will be equipped with a battery pack of around 80kWh along with an AWD system. It is claimed to offer a power output in the range of 230bhp to 350bhp.
