As India celebrates its 75th independence and Mahindra is celebrating its 76th year, they have come up with 5 new electric SUVs. Mahindra has introduced a born electric line-up of electric cars with a new INGLO platform that is very futuristic.
Features
These born electric cars line up are built on INGLO a skateboard platform, with a battery capacity of 60 kWh to 80 kWh. with a range of 450 KM+. The battery used is Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), which is safer. As these batteries do not get very hot and are long-lasting, the only disadvantage is they are not high energy dense, which means for the same amount of capacity you would require a large battery pack when compared to a Lithium-ion battery.
The vehicle length ranges from 4.3 m to 4.7 m. With a max ground clearance of 218 mm. These batteries will allow 175 Kw of fast charging that will allow 5-80% in just 30 mins. The claimed range in Indian conditions is around 675 km for the top-of-the-range vehicle.
There will be 2 models, RWD and AWD. The RWD will have power ranging from 230-285 HP and 360-560 NM of torque and will be cheaper. The AWD will have an additional motor in front that is powered by 108 HP and 135 NM of torque. So combined the power output will range from 338-394 HP and 495-695 Nm of torque and will be expensive.
These born electric cars will have a large screen just like most modern Electric cars, similar to XUV 700, and a lot more features.
Looking at the prototype it is very aerodynamic and futuristic, we just need to wait and see how much of it comes to a production vehicle. Though Mahindra says the production design would be nearly similar to the prototype, we have to just wait and see.
Mahindra with its new born electric cars line-up is aiming for an aerodynamic car, hence they are using a lot of air vents to allow the air to pass the alloy design is also very aerodynamic. But there are some vents under the body for cooling the battery, I am not sure will that vents be safe if went through water.
INGLO platform
It is an electric car-focused skateboard platform. The battery is placed in the centre which allows for a good centre of gravity, this platform aims for safety, efficiency and lightweight. This platform has the capacity of carrying a 60 KW and 80 KW battery pack. The flat skateboard-type design allows more cabin space. This platform will be capable of 2nd level of automation and loads of other features.
XUV e8 (Expected around Dec 2024)
This is the first vehicle in the new INGLO platform by Mahindra, it looks similar to XUV 700, but the front is changed. This vehicle is expected to launch at a price of Rs 35 lakhs. This is the only vehicle similar to any current model Mahindra is selling. Mahindra has not disclosed the exact battery size and power figures. But from the INGLO platform, we know what is the range of power and battery. This model will have 2 variants with RWD and AWD. With the power figures of 230 HP and 360 NM of torque in RWD and 338 HP to 495 NM of torque in AWD.
XUV e9 (Expected around April 2025)
This is similar to XUV e8 but smaller in length and a bit more sporty. This will be a coupe sharing the XUV name, but this vehicle is more aerodynamic and sporty. The design of this vehicle is quite different from any of Mahindra’s current line-up. The price expected is around Rs 38 Lakhs. This model will also have 2 variants with RWD and AWD. With the power figures of 260 HP and 500 NM of torque in RWD and 350 HP to 600 NM of torque in AWD.
Mahindra’s new Born Electric (BE) line-up
Mahindra is calling the new electric cars line-up, Born Electric. These vehicles are not carried from any current vehicle lineup. Though you will get the signature headlamps of Mahindra. I would like to say the design is extremely beautiful, aggressive and futuristic, but the KIA ev6 popped into my head as soon as I saw this. Mahindra says this segment is going to be the list of vehicles that are convenient for any kind of use. And the interior feels like a cacoon and focused on the driver like a racing vehicle.
BE.05 (Expected around Oct 2025)
BE 05 has an impression of a sporty coupe that Mahindra is trying to create with this Born electric lineup. The design is really aggressive and is not like any of the vehicles on the road today. This is what brings doubt to my head, can Mahindra really bring this design to production? Anyway, this is my personal favourite of the new BE line-up. The expected price is Rs 25 lakhs. Mahindra has not disclosed the exact battery size and power figures. But from the INGLO platform, we know what is the range of power and battery. This model will have 2 variants with RWD and AWD. With the power figures of 250 HP and 450 NM of torque in RWD and 360 HP to 550 NM of torque in AWD.
BE.07 (Expected around Oct 2026)
This is again a Born Electric lineup vehicle. This is more like a practical family vehicle. The design is less aggressive compared to BE 05. This vehicle feels more subtle. The design of BE 07 can be brought to production, it is not very aggressive. The price range is again around Rs 25 lakhs. This model will also have 2 variants with RWD and AWD. With the power figures of 230 HP and 360 NM of torque in RWD and 338 HP to 495 NM of torque in AWD.
BE.09
Mahindra has not signed off on BE 09 yet, waiting for what will be the reaction of the public first before declaring its launch date. Though from the first look it looks similar to BE 07, not sure what will be the difference.
What does this mean to us?
As Mahindra is an Indian company, the steps they are taking are going to be good for electric vehicles in India. They are also focusing on the global market with this line-up. We need companies like these to make some serious innovations and bring in good technologies build in India. This way we will have some good electric cars built in India. Though the pricing is a crucial factor here, as all-electric vehicles are expensive. This is because of the technology. I am expecting these new Mahindra lines up would be around 25-50 lakhs. That is expensive, but unlike Tata Nexon, it is an electric platform. But Mahindra should make sure, it should be cheaper than any import like if we import the Tesla Model 3 or KIA ev6 it would cost around 60 lakhs.
Surely Mahindra with its born electric cars line-up is placing them at a premium segment that will get them good sales but, Tata Nexon has already created a good market for them, it’s just Tata has to launch more models before Mahindra gets a lead on them.
Let’s be honest we like Tesla, Rivan and other American electric cars, but importing them is not practical and these American companies are not setting up plants in India. So more companies should innovate and start building electric cars now. This allows the prices to fall in the coming years and the average person can buy it, as we know any new tech is expensive at first.
I would like to see more and more companies do this, Definitely Tata took the lead with Nexon EV, but that is not a born eclectic vehicle. Tata can build some serious vehicles so can Maruti. I will write in detail about each car, as they are launched. So stick around.
Thanks to Mahindra’s website.
