Mahindra Unveils Five New EV Concepts
They’ve been bucketed under two new sub-brands – BE and XUV.e.
In what has become a norm for Mahindra, it utilised one of India’s national holidays to make an important announcement. On India’s 75th Independence Day, the homegrown automaker unveiled its plans for electrified mobility solutions in the personal vehicle space. And to digest all of it, you must make a cup of coffee and read on.
Two new sub-brands
For its next-gen electric vehicles (EVs) range, Mahindra has created two new sub-brands – BE and XUV.e. Five new EV concept vehicles have been unveiled, namely BE.05, BE.07, BE.09, XUV.e8 and XUV.e9.
New EV Platform
Mahindra has developed a new EV architecture called INGLO. Courtesy of its scalability and modular form, the brand could make different types of electric SUVs that serve varied customer bases. INGLO has components sourced from Volkswagen Group’s MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) platform. According to the partnership, VW Group will supply Mahindra with the electric drivetrain, the battery system and the battery cells, among other bits. The cooperation envisions a volume of over one million units over the lifetime and includes the equipment of five electric SUVs with MEB components. The duo will also explore the possibility of localising the battery system as part of their potential collaborations in the future.
Some numbers
Let’s put some math into the mix to explain things quantifiably. To start with, the INGLO platform will allow battery sizes ranging from 60 to 80kWh while offering up to 175kW of fast charging. That latter aspect means replenishing the juice box up to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes. Next, with a single-motor or a rear-wheel-drive layout, Mahindra EVs will offer between 170-210kW (228-282bhp). Of course, there will also be all-wheel-drive derivatives, delivering between 250-290kW (335-389bhp). Mahindra claims that the quickest of the lot will complete the 0-100kmph sprint in less than 6 seconds.
For efficiency…
Mahindra has been cautious not to mention any number regarding the EV range. That said, it has confirmed a few efficiency-enhancing bits that will play a role in reducing range anxiety. The list includes energy recuperation technology, aerodynamic exterior design, reduced rolling resistance with 5.5 RRC tyres, zero-drag wheel bearings, efficient cooling and HVAC systems and low power consumption.
Other features
With a new range of automobiles, their makers usually pack them with the latest gadgets indoors, outdoors and underneath. And these next-gen Mahindra EVs will be no exception. They’ll pack stuff like semi-active suspension, dual-pinion steering system, brake-by-wire technology and multiple drive modes.
Those indoors will use Mahindra’s HMI – a new cloud-based platform that handles most of a vehicle’s functions. It’ll offer 5G connectivity to offer a range of connected-car features and receive OTA updates. The cars will also have a flexible interior layout with Vehicle-To-Load functionality, making the vehicle a power bank for electronic gadgets or household appliances. The EVs will also pack high-definition displays, some spanning the entire width of the dashboard.
Mahindra will aim for a five-star safety rating from Global NCAP for all its upcoming EVs. And to ensure that the vehicles will have several safety gizmos on board. The list includes a structural cage around the passenger cabin, battery protection using ultra-high-strength boron steel, a multi-piece dash panel with reinforcement and 5 Radars-1 Vision ADAS architecture, capable of level 2+ autonomy.
So, there you have it. That’s all there is to know about the future electric Mahindra models. What are your first impressions?
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