Mahindra may not be a well-known name in the UK, but it’s one of India’s biggest carmakers and now, it is aiming to expand into the UK and Europe with five electric SUVs. Simultaneously launching a new brand, announcing a UK design centre and an agreement to use elements of VW’s MEB platform in its cars, Mahindra’s plans are very ambitious.

Mahindra’s plans centre on the creation of a new electric platform called INGLO, upon which it will base five e-SUVs under two separate brands. These are XUV, which is already established in Asia, and BE – an all-new, EV-only brand which will introduce new design language and vision.

INGLO platform

Like most modern EV platforms, INGLO is designed to be modular and scalable so that it can support vehicles of various sizes and applications. A skateboard platform by design, Mahindra says it is comparatively lightweight. Alongside the platform itself, the battery packs on offer will be equally modular and based on two different cell types. These will range from 60 to 80kWh in size and be able to charge at up to 175kW allowing for 80 per cent charge to be achieved in less than 30 minutes. Vehicle-to-load will be offered.

E-drive units will be available in power from 228bhp-282bhp in rear-drive, single motor form or 335bhp-389bhp in all-wheel drive, dual motor form. Zero to 62mph times will be in the five to six-second region. Various drive modes will be available and brake-by-wire will allow for adjustable regeneration. All of this will be controlled by a new operating system which combines three computers and has embedded 5G connectivity for over-the-air updates.

Working with VW

Some components in the INGLO platform will be supplied by Volkswagen as part of the brand’s NEW AUTO strategy which sees VW offering its tech to third-party vehicle manufacturers. Whilst the specific nature of the components isn’t documented, our understanding is that INGLO is effectively an MEB derivative.

VW will be supplying more than one million units over the lifetime of the deal which will run beyond 2026 when the final of the five new SUVs will be released.

The cars

Mahindra has provided brief overviews of each of the SUVs which it will launch between December 2024 through to late 2026 in the UK and Europe. These are:

XUV.e8, due December 2024 which, at 4740mm long by 1900mm wide and 1760mm tall is a larger e-SUV. A 2762mm wheelbase should offer lots of space whilst Mahindra says it will offer intelligent all-wheel drive, a sophisticated cabin and ride comfort.

XUV.e9, due April 2025. The biggest of the forthcoming SUVs at 4790mm x 1905mm x 1690mm with a 2775mm wheelbase, it takes the form of a coupe SUV with bold design elements.

BE.05 due October 2025 which at 4370mm x 1900mm x 1635mm is set to be a more traditional C-segment SUV, albeit with a ‘racing inspired, bold design’.

BE.07 due October 2026 which will sit above the BE.05 in size at 4565mm x 1900mm x 1660mm and the same wheelbase. Mahindra says this will provide a ‘family space’ and a ‘first-class experience’ with versatility and configurable profiles.

Finally, the BE.09 will sit at the top of the tree. There are no size or launch date details yet, but Mahindra is promising an ‘SUV grand tourer’.

UK-based Mahindra Advanced Design Europe design centre

Called M.A.D.E for short, Mahindra has launched a new design centre of excellence in Banbury, Oxfordshire – the heart of the UK’s car manufacturing region. The primary objective of the centre is to conceive and create all future Mahindra EVs and advanced vehicle design concepts with help from the brand’s India Design Studio in Mumbai.

Mahindra has equipped the studio with all the latest tools of the trade including 3D digital and physical modelling, Class-A surfacing, digital visualisation and human-machine interface design. Along with VR digital modelling and a clay modelling studio, it will allow designers to conceive and build concepts for physical presentation.

Once at full strength, M.A.D.E will have a team of 30.