The New Era of Electric Performance The Mahindra XEV 9e arrives however, as more than just an electric SUV. It has the feel of a reckless statement of intent. This is Mahindra winging in to play the premium EV space with confidence and style with performance firmly in mind. From its very first looks, it’s clear that the XEV 9e has been inspired with a sporting spirit in mind. The coupe-inspired silhouette gives it an athletic stance, and sharp LED lighting, flowing lines and big alloy wheels are sure to ensure it looks every bit the part of a modern performance SUV. Unlike the utilitarian looks of a few of Mahindra’s traditional SUVs, this looks quite a bit towards the more sleek and aspirational – to the point where it can fight with the global names while retaining the distinctly Indian head. Coupé Lines Meet SUV Stature Beneath that stylish exterior is Mahindra’s INGLO skateboard platform, which permits flexibility in the battery/drivetrain configuration. Two battery options are used to power the XEV 9e, a 59 kWh pack and a larger 79 kWh pack. Depending on your choice you get up to 542km of driving range with the smaller pack or a class-leading 656km with the bigger one, both certified under the MIDC cycle. Performance figures are equal to the promise of its appearance. The smaller pack pumps those out at roughly 231 PS while the higher delivering that up to 286 PS with 380 Nm of torque. Power comes without delay and the feeling you’d get for an EV as it attacks quickly when needs and acceleration are fast enough to give any drive an energetic feeling. Multiple drive modes, including Race and Range allow the SUV to crowd into the character, boarding tightens when you’re vying for thrills, or conserves energy when you’re looking for efficiency. Powertrain: Built for Thrills Charging is another area in which the XEV 9e is impressive. With DC fast-charging capabilities, you can charge your battery from 20% to 80% energy in under 20 minutes – letting you worry a little less when you have to travel long distances. The 59 kWh battery allows 140 kW charging and the larger 79 kWh unit increases that to 175 kW. For home set-ups, Mahindra offers a wall box charger of 7.2 kilo watt and 11.2 kilo watt capacity which can fully charge the SUV overnight in 8 to 11.7 hours. This balance of easily changeable quick stops on the highways, with the convenience of home-charging, makes the SUV a versatile car for both daily commuting, and long trip journeys. Cabin: A Digital Cockpit for the Modern Driver Inside, the cabin’s futuristic, sporty and tech-driven feel Instead of an ordinary dashboard, you’re greeted by three 12.3-inch displays neatly strewn across the cockpit: a cluster of displays aimed at the driver, an infotainment display, and even a dedicated passenger screen. Add to this a Harman Kardon 16-speaker system, wireless charging, dual zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof, and the XEV 9e quickly teases out the first-class feel. Enthusiasts will appreciate features such as a head-up display, one pedal driving, and multi-levels of regenerative braking that are all designed to give the SUV a driver-focused edge. The quality of millions, the contemporary layout, the attention to detail, all underline Mahindra’s attempt to keep up with international rivals in this space. Safety: Sporty, but Secure Safety has not been impaired either. The XEV 9e has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating with 32/32 and 45/49 scores for adult and child protection respectively – figures that place it at the pinnacle of India’s list of safest cars. Standard equipment includes seven airbags, electronic stability control, ISOFIX mounts and hill-hold assist. On top of that, Mahindra has crammed into it Level-2 selves drive features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and emergency braking. This is the best way to give your SUV a pleasant drive while ensuring that you are also assured of peace for drivers and passengers alike. Variants & Pricing: Accessible Performance Pricing is the other smart move by Mahindra. Starting at 21.90 lakh for the entry-level 59 kWh Pack One variant, up to 31.25 lakh for the fully-loaded 79 kWh Pack Three, the XEV 9e manages to explode the benefits of an affordable and premium package. The inclusion of the 79 kWh battery in the mid-spec Pack Two at the measly sum of 26.50 lakh is of particular note since it brings the long range capability within the grasp of a masses audience. Optional chargers costing between 50,000 and 75,000 let buyers customize the experience to their needs. This tiered approach is used to ensure that the XEV 9e doesn’t get lost in the weeds as a niche product, but appeals to most enthusiasts and families. Performance on the Road: Engaging, Not Just Efficient On the road, the SUV is pleasing, not merely efficient. With the lead-acid batteries low center of gravity due to the floor mounted battery, it is stable in corners while the tuned suspension helps it stay composed at highway speeds. Steering response is accurate, and regenerative braking is of an added dimension for driving and provides a comfortable one-pedal drive in city traffic. While it may not have the top acceleration of a Tesla Model Y, it’s a good compromise between fun to drive, and usability in everyday life-just what the Indian buyer needs. Market Impact: A Game-Changer for Mahindra The market reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. It took Mahindra less than 70 days from launch to sell more than 10,000 units of the XEV 9e, whose bookings, together with its twin, the BE 6e, amounted to greater than 30,000 units. Clearly, the approach to combine style, performance and accessibility is hitting home. For Mahindra, not only is this SUV a new product, it signifies the dawn of a new identity, where Mahindra would no longer be just about rugged off-roaders, but sleek and sophisticated EVs that can compete with their global counterparts.
