Mahindra recently launched two new electric SUVs, and we got a chance to try both of them. Here’s how the smaller of the two, the Mahindra BE 6e, fared.
Design details
Pratap Bose, Chief Design and Creative Officer, Auto and Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. told us that he was given a free hand for this project. Now, we all know what comes next; the BE 6e! The BE 6e is then a mix of a sports coupe and a crossover. The front gets large LED light signatures that look stunning. Then the bonnet has two sections and the top half looks like a spoiler. The good thing is that all this flash aids in aerodynamics which in turn helps the SUV perform better. Additionally, the sleek bonnet also offers a 45-litre frunk which is quite useful. In profile one can see the long 2,775 mm wheelbase and the fact that the INGLO platform rear door handles are hidden in the upper part of the door, giving a seamless coupe-like design. At the rear, the taillights take centre-stage as well as the new Mahindra Electric logo. But what looks stunning is the spoiler mounted above the rear window. These SUVs also offer a ‘Groove Me’ function that syncs all the lights to the tune being played, turning your car into a disco! The boot on the other hand has a respectable 455 litres of cargo space that is flat and usable.
The BE 6e measures 4,371mm in length, 1,907mm in width, 1,627mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,775mm, which is the same as the XEV 9e. In fact, the wheelbase will be the same on all INGLO models to optimise costs and packaging. The coupe-SUV rides on 19-inch aero-optimised wheels with 245/55 section tyres, giving it a very strong road presence. One can also opt for larger 245/50 R20-inch wheels. Mahindra says that the BE 6e has a ground clearance of 207mm and a turning circle of less than 10 metres which is quite impressive. It has a boot space of 455 litres and an additional frunk space of 45 litres.
Mahindra BE 6e: Interiors and features
If you think the exterior is great, wait till you see it! The entire cockpit is inspired by aircraft and it shows. The front section is very clearly divided into two parts and the driver is given the main position. There is a clear difference in the firmament for the driver and front passenger which gives a sporty look. The gear is inspired by the Thrust motorcycle seen again in the notebook from Launch and looks attractive. While it is nice to hold, we would have been even happier if the quality of plastic used in this prototype was better. Also, the little soft touches here are amazing. There is a knob for accessing the various vehicle seats on the center console and right next to it is the start stop button. But the most special thing here is that it looks like a spaceship and has an entry pad on top of it. Awesome!
On the other hand, the dash has two 12.3-inch screens, one for the infotainment and one for the instrument panel. To keep the dash neat, the designers have integrated all the functionalities within the infotainment system and this also includes the climate control system and ventilated seats! I disagree, but these are quite difficult to reach on the go and I would have liked dedicated buttons. The steering is also a work of art and is rectangular and fun to hold. Also there are the pull-type door handles, which definitely took my breath away! When it comes to space, the BE 6e is decent from the rear. Though entry/exit is a bit difficult due to the sweeping roofline, it is not a big deal. The rear seat passenger also gets multiple Type-C charging ports and an armrest. However the seat squab is at an angle and again I would have liked a better design for more comfort. However, to add to the roomy feel, there is a moon roof that also has light motifs on it, which makes it fun. What we would like to add here is the excellent NVH packaging, which makes the cabin incredibly quiet. But if you want sound, Mahindra is also offering a fantastic 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
Mahindra BE 6e: Platform, battery packs, range, charging
The BE 6e is based on Mahindra’s new INGLO platform which is a dedicated electric platform. The company uses a blade-style battery and the motor is mounted at the rear which makes the BE 6e a RWD SUV. Yumm yum! Mahindra is offering two battery pack options for the SUV which includes a 59kWh pack and a 79kWh battery pack. The first one offers a range of 682km while the second one offers a range of 535km. The power outputs are also different, with the vehicle with the smaller pack offering 170kW and the larger one offering 210kW! The torque output remains the same at 380Nm. Apart from all this, Mahindra has also added semi-active suspension and a pretty clever steering set up to the SUV
Auto Park system works great
Mahindra has also added an auto park system which works quite well. Just select the spot and the SUV parks itself automatically without any driver involvement. Using the remote key, it can be parked even when the driver is not in the car and comes in handy when getting the SUV into a tight space where opening the door is not possible.
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