Mahindra reveals two electric SUVs, both likely for Australia

Two Mahindra ‘Electric Origin’ SUVs have been unveiled in India ahead of their roll-out to global markets – with a strong chance for Australia – as the first of five new battery-electric SUVs the car maker plans to launch using its new INGLO electric architecture.

The Mahindra BE 6e and the Mahindra XEV 9e coupe SUVs were unveiled at the ‘Unlimit India’ event in Chennai wearing new ‘Infinite’ logos revealed for the car maker’s ‘Electric Origins’ sub-brand, with its INGLO platform benefiting from a component collaboration with Volkswagen.

Mahindra expects electric versions to make up between 20 and 30 per cent of its global SUV sales by 2027.

Spearheading its electric attack, both SUVs are expected to reach Indian dealers in January 2025 with introductory pricing – and a lifetime battery warranty special offer – but specific details and timing for Australian showrooms is yet to be confirmed.

The Mumbai-based car maker has said Australia will take some – or all – of the planned five electric SUVs it's rolling, but is yet to confirm which specific models will be offered here.

“Mahindra plans a phased, calibrated international rollout of the Electric Origin series, starting with right-hand drive (RHD) markets. We will make announcements of launch at the appropriate time,” Mahindra’s Brisbane-based Australian arm told Drive.

The new Electric Origin sub-brand was launched as part of the car maker’s ‘Global Vision’, with ambitious growth targets as the car maker looks to shift from its former commercial/agricultural focus to become a mainstream car brand.

Meanwhile, the electric SUV pair – to be built in a new dedicated electric car plant in Chakan, India, as part of an investment the equivalent of $AU2.2 billion in electric tech – boast far edgier design.

This follows Mahindra's acquisition of the famous Pininfarina styling house in 2015 before opening its first advanced design centre in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2022.

The BE 6e (for ‘battery electric’) is a five-door, five-seat SUV with coupe styling, and at 4371mm is longer than a Mazda CX-3 but slightly shorter than a Toyota RAV4, but its long 2770mm wheelbase promises significant interior space.

The INGLO platform also brings a flat floor, with a 455-litre boot and a 45-litre frunk (front trunk) as well as 207mm ground clearance while riding on 19-inch wheels.

The India-market versions include a cabin equipped with dual-screens and digital instruments – including head-up display – flat-bottom steering wheel and customisable ambient lighting and drive modes.

The first software-defined vehicles (SDV) from Mahindra – where a car’s mechanicals and structure are secondary to software in its development – the BE 6e and XEV 9e introduce Mahindra Artificial Intelligence Architecture (MAIA).

This includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 processor which the car maker says is the fastest automotive grade chipset, with compatibility with more than 60 apps and with Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates.

There’s also ADAS Level 2+ (advanced driving assistance systems) capability using a combination of five radars, ultrasonic-sensors and camera tech for features including auto-reverse parking.

The BE 6e and XEV 9e’s INGLO architecture is fitted with a “three-in-one” single electric motor, inverter and transmission teamed with a lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) battery pack rated for both to offer more than 500km of driving range. 

The entry-level BE 6e comes with a 59kWh battery with a 172kW powertrain and 513km WLTP range rating.

A more potent 210kW/380Nm motor delivers a claimed 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds, while its larger 79kWh battery pack has a 533km WLTP range rating.

Mahindra claims it can be topped up to between 20-80 per cent range using 175kW fast charging in less than 20 minutes.

While the platform enables front, rear- and all-wheel drive capability, the specs appear to be for rear-wheel drive versions of both vehicles.

The XEV 9e (for ‘crossover electric vehicle’) – also a five-seat five door with coupe-like swooping roofline – is offered only with the more powerful powertrain and bigger battery combo, with a 550km WLTP range rating despite its larger size.

At 4990mm it’s identical in length to the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado, and given its bigger interior includes three screens up front for a claimed 110cm-wide display, as well as the ‘Infinity’ glass roof shared with the BE 6e.

It offers 207mm ground clearance – also running 19-inch wheels – as well as a 633-litre cargo area and 150-litre frunk.

Both cars include seven airbags and while neither has been crash tested, a Mahindra spokesperson said the car maker was confident of a five-star safety rating for both vehicles.

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