Mahindra Marches Into A New EV Era
The journey begins with the XUV400.
India’s EV scene (for private buyers) is hotting up faster than many had anticipated. But one name is missing from the game, even after having the first mover’s advantage. Yes, Mahindra. With products such as the e2oPlus and the eVerito, it gave the masses a ray of hope for pocket-friendly electric mobility solutions. But those products just couldn’t survive, primarily because they came in when India wasn’t ready to support EVs on the move. That aspect, however, is now changing rapidly. And although Mahindra couldn’t leverage its established image as an EV-maker, it has used the time to create something desirable. Meet the XUV400 – the brand’s first electric SUV.
Design
The resemblance with the conventionally-powered XUV300 is uncanny, inside and out. But that isn’t by chance, as the XUV400 has the same platform, albeit in a tweaked form. In addition, both models have a 2,600mm wheelbase and 1,821mm width. But, the EV is over 20cm longer than the one with the internal combustion engine. And that extra length gives the XUV400 a much bigger boot space of 378 litres.
In terms of appearance, the basic silhouette is almost the same. But, the EV has a restyled front end with the space between the headlights now filled and a tweaked bumper. Even the vertical DRLs and foglamps have vanished. The side profile reveals some changes too. The 16-inch wheels, for instance, are new and instead of the fuel filler at the back, there’s now a charging port hidden in the front fender. At the rear, the XUV400 features a redesigned bumper and a pair of reprofiled taillamps. And, of course, those copper accents add a sense of theatre to the mix.
Mahindra will offer five colour options – Arctic Blue, Everest White, Galaxy Grey, Napoli Black and Infinity Blue. And for the dual-tone finish, the roof will be finished in Satin Copper.
Indoors, the EV has almost the same layout as the XUV300. But, the newcomer takes an all-black route with copper highlights on the AC vents, the gear lever and the AC control knob at the centre. Also, the dashboard’s central section and the steering wheel feature in gloss black finish.
Features
Mahindra hasn’t revealed them all. But, the XUV400 will pack a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Adrenox software, more than 60 connected-car features, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, brake energy recuperation, multiple drive modes and an electric sunroof. For safety, the EV packs six airbags, all four disc brakes and ISOFIX anchorages for child booster seats, among others. The automaker even claims that the EV is capable of single-pedal driving.
Powertrain & Performance
The Mahindra XUV400 will have a front-mounted electric motor that offers 150hp/310Nm. That’s enough for a 0-100kmph sprint time of 8.3 seconds, the quickest in the segment. And the top speed has been pegged at 150kmph.
The powerplant gets its juices from a 39.4kWh battery, with water and dust proofing of IP67 standards. If used responsibly, the car can travel up to 456km (MIDC) on a single charge. And when it runs out, one could use a 50kW DC charger to replenish it. That way, the battery will take about 50 minutes to charge from zero to 80 per cent. However, the XUV400 can also be charged using a 7.2kW AC charger or a 3.3kW power outlet. The wait times from zero to 100 per cent charge are 6 hours and 30 minutes, and 13 hours, respectively.
What’s next?
In phase one, Mahindra will launch the XUV400 in 16 cities across India. In November 2022, the automaker will commence the “XUV400 Fun Fest” for customers across those cities, while test drives will start in the following month. Bookings will open in January 2023, and the prices will be revealed in the same month. Mahindra confirms that the deliveries should start before the calendar reads February 2023.
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