The upcoming Mahindra electric SUVs, BE.05 and XUV.e9 were spied testing near Ladakh. Ladakh is a high-altitude region where carmakers often test their vehicles, especially SUVs. In fact, it is among the most popular adventure trails in the country. People visit this region in their rugged SUVs and motorcycles. Testing at such high altitudes is necessary to analyse the performance of components at extreme temperatures. In Ladakh, the temperatures easily drop to -20 degrees during winter. Hence, the electric components, including the battery must function properly in such conditions. Let us take a look at the details of this case.
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Mahindra Electric SUVs Spied in Ladakh
These images are courtesy Bunny Punia. The silhouettes of both SUVs are quite distinct. The BE.05 (Born Electric) features a prominent compact design. The boot lid extends in the rear direction with a roof-mounted spoiler and a sharp tail section. The entire body is under a heavy camouflage. Still, the differences in the size of these SUVs are apparent. Going by the official figures shared by Mahindra, the BE.05 will be 4.37 m in length and will still have an enormous 2.77 m wheelbase. This is due to the dedicated INGLO platform. The bold exterior styling and the latest tech and connectivity features will be the highlight of the BE.05.
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On the other hand, the XUV.e9 is an SUV coupe adorned with robust contours along its body. Its dimensions include a length of 4,790 mm, a width of 1,905 mm, a height of 1,690 mm, and a wheelbase spanning 2,775 mm. Scheduled for production in April 2025, it embodies a fusion of sportiness and utility. It has the typical coupe-silhouette where the roofline drops until the bootlid quite smoothly. However, the XUVe.9 does feature some design similarities with the existing XUV700 on which it will be based. Even it has a thick wrap in these images.
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Specs
Mahindra has opted for the reliable, sturdy, and easy-to-maintain Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry. The battery design incorporates streamlined modules and standardized cell-to-pack technology, utilizing both Blade and Prismatic cell architectures. With a battery capacity ranging from 60-80 kWh and 175 kW DC fast charging capability, it enables a 5-80% charge in under 30 minutes.
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The electric vehicles (EVs) will be available in both Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) configurations. The RWD models will have power outputs ranging from 170 kW to 210 kW (equivalent to 228 hp to 282 hp), while the AWD variants will boast power outputs between 250 kW and 290 kW (equivalent to 335 hp to 389 hp). Consequently, the acceleration from 0-100 km/h is expected to be accomplished in 5-6 seconds. The WLTP range for the larger battery pack is anticipated to be approximately 450 km.
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Author’s Note
The EV market is heating up in India. In fact, it is the Indian carmakers who are at the forefront of this transition. Tata Motors already boasts over 80% market share of EVs in India. It has leveraged the success of its ICE models and converted them into EVs. On the other hand, Mahindra also does this with the XUV400 (based on the XUV300). However, going forward, Mahindra has huge plans to launch 5 electric SUVs in the next couple of years. That will be beneficial for the customers who will get a wide range of options.
