Mahindra will showcase two new production-ready SUVs and an updated BE 6 on August 15, with the Vision S set to bring a new flexible platform to the lineup.
Mahindra is sticking to its tradition of unveiling key products on August 15, and this Independence Day will be no different. This year, however, the company has something extra special lined up, with a slew of production-ready SUVs from the Vision S to BE 7 and the refreshed BE 6 all set to make their appearance before they go on sale in the coming months.
We will talk about each of them in detail, starting with the most important one, the Vision S.
Mahindra Vision S
The Vision S will be Mahindra’s first sub-4-metre SUV to sit on the company’s new NU_IQ modular architecture. Unlike the INGLO platform used by Mahindra’s all-electric BE and XEV models, NU_IQ has been designed to accommodate ICE, hybrid and electric powertrains.
The Vision S will sit above the Mahindra 3XO and is expected to be aimed at buyers looking for a more lifestyle-oriented SUV. There is also a possibility that the production version could carry the Scorpio name, possibly with a suffix such as Sport.
The SUV is expected to have some soft-roading ability, with Mahindra offering powertrain options in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive formats.
There are a few clues pointing towards its lifestyle positioning. The Vision S concept features a rear-mounted spare wheel and a side-hinged tailgate, both of which give it a more rugged character than a typical urban SUV. Mahindra is also expected to offer a range of camping and lifestyle accessories inspired by the concept.
Recent spy shots suggest that the production version will stay fairly close to the concept in terms of its overall design. Inside, the SUV is expected to get a digital instrument cluster and a large infotainment screen, while physical buttons will be retained for functions such as the air-conditioning and audio system.
The cabin should also be fairly premium, with soft-touch materials and better-quality finishes around the dashboard helping it compete with more expensive SUVs in the segment.
Mahindra BE 7
The BE 7 will be the fourth SUV to wear Mahindra’s Born Electric (BE) badge. It will sit between the BE 6 and XEV 9e in Mahindra’s electric SUV range, giving buyers a middle ground between the radical styling of the BE 6 and the larger footprint of the XEV 9e.
The BE 7’s styling is modern but more conventional than the BE 6. It follows a traditional two-box SUV silhouette and is likely to be positioned towards young families looking for a practical electric SUV.
The cabin is expected to offer more space than the BE 6, while the three-screen dashboard layout seen on Mahindra’s newer EVs will continue to be a key feature.
As with the rest of the BE range, the BE 7 is expected to use the same broad battery and motor technology. The 59kWh LFP battery pack will produce 228hp, while the larger 79kWh pack will develop 286hp. Both versions will offer 380Nm of torque.
Mahindra BE 6
The Mahindra BE 6 will also be showcased on August 15, although this isn’t an entirely new model. Instead, Mahindra is expected to introduce minor exterior styling changes along with a substantially revised interior.
Mahindra recently teased the updated BE 6, and one of the biggest changes is the removal of its distinctive driver-focused cockpit. The current model’s jet-inspired dashboard and the prominent centre console bridge have been one of its most recognisable features.
That layout appears to be making way for a more conventional cabin, similar to what we expect to see in the BE 7. The front passenger will also get a dedicated third screen, making the dashboard visually wider and more symmetrical.
The removal of the centre console bridge could also free up some space around the dashboard. We suspect Mahindra could use this area to bring back physical controls for the air-conditioning and other frequently used functions.
It will be interesting to see how BE 6 owners and enthusiasts react to this change. The current cockpit was one of the SUV’s defining features, but Mahindra appears to be taking a more conventional approach with the updated model.
Three SUVs, three different approaches
Mahindra’s August 15 showcase is interesting because the three SUVs represent very different approaches to the market.
The Vision S will bring a new flexible platform that can support multiple types of powertrains, while the BE 7 will expand Mahindra’s electric SUV range into a more family-friendly space. The updated BE 6, meanwhile, shows that Mahindra is willing to make fairly significant changes to an existing product based on how buyers respond to it.
India has come a long way in the automotive space, and Mahindra’s Independence Day showcase is a good reminder of just how much the industry has changed. The company’s BE and NU_IQ platforms, in particular, show how Indian automakers are now developing products and technologies that can compete well beyond the domestic market.
We will get a closer look at all three SUVs on August 15, and that should give us a better idea of what Mahindra has planned for the next phase of its SUV offensive.
Happy Independence Day!
