Mahindra has been testing several new SUVs including EVs on the Indian roads. One such product is the Mahindra BE.05 all-electric SUV, which was showcased last year in concept avatar. For people not in the know, the homegrown SUV maker had showcased 5 E-SUV concepts under the new XUV.e and BE nameplates. The first Born electric SUV to be launched in our market will be the XUV.e8, which shares the styling cues from the XUV700.
The Mahindra BE.05 electric SUV in production avatar will be launched sometime in 2025. It has recently been caught testing and the test mule shows off the exterior styling. Now, Rajesh Jejurikar, executive director, Auto & Farm Sectors at the Mahindra Group, tweeted the interior picture of the BE.05 e-SUV. The SUV was tested by the company’s leadership team in Chennai.
The cabin of the concept was significantly different from the picture tweeted by Mr. Jejurikar. The concept had the twin connected infotainment screens and the wraparound effect for the driver’s seat. However, the test mule has a single digital screen behind the steering wheel. The infotainment screen was not fitted in the spotted model. This is most likely to be a temporary omission, as the production model will have infotainment screen as well as instrument console.
Instead of the two-spoke flat-bottomed steering, the test mule has a conventional round steering wheel. However, the central console design appears similar to the concept. The emergency kill switch is placed on the dashboard, which is a temporary fitment available in most pre-production & test products. Moreover, the floating-type slim AC vents and interior door pull straps look identical to the concept. The door also houses a floating armrest with a button for the power windows. The co-passenger seat has a manual height adjuster.
The production version of the Mahindra BE.05 electric SUV will have toned down styling with several camera controlled functions will be removed. The spotted model has slightly less flared wheel arches, traditional ORVMs instead of camera and C-shaped LED daytime running lamps. The concept had sculpted bonnet with an air duct, which is missing in the test model.
The BE.05 EV will be positioned above the XUV400 in Mahindra EV lineup. In terms of proportions, the new BE.05 is 4,370mm long, 1,900mm wide and 1,635mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,775mm. The SUV will be designed and developed on an all-new INGLO EV skateboard platform, which will also underpin the other SUVs under the XUV.e & BE nameplates.
The SUV is reportedly to have semi-active suspension and brake-by-wire drive modes & ADAS with L2+ autonomous capability. The exact specifications are yet to be revealed, but Mahindra reveals that the Born Electric range will be offered with two drive configurations – single-motor and dual-motor, with an overall output rated at 228-282bhp and 335-389bhp, respectively. The SUVs will come with battery pack ranging from 60 to 80 kWh.
