First unveiled in October 2022, the Mahindra XUV.e8 is getting ready to grace Indian streets. Based on the XUV700, the e8 has been spotted testing on Indian roads and the spy pictures reveal almost everything save for powertrain details.
The exterior
The XUV.e8 test mule has, of course, been camouflaged but even with the extensive black-and-white wrap, clear lines of details can be seen. The front, for example, is designed very similar to its concept form from a year ago. The full-width LED light bar sits on a high nose and directly above the vertically stacked, pod-like headlamps. The closed-off grille and the bumper design are also reminiscent of the concept. Over on the side, the muscular stance is more apparent and similar to the XUV700. The alloys, however, are new but may be altered to a more aerodynamic unit for a better drag coefficient. Moving over to the rear, the XUV.e8 gets styling similar to the ICE XUV700 SUV. The tail lamps are the same shark-fin designed units that are also present on the XUV700 as well as on the concept. The rear bumper, like the one in the front, seems to have been carried over from the concept. The XUV.e8 is expected to measure 4,740 mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,762 mm.
The interior
Moving over to the interior, the first thing we noticed was a new two-spoke steering wheel similar to the ones we are now seeing on the Tata cars. The interior itself, from the concept, is fairly futuristic. The concept’s triple-screen setup may be carried over to the e8, but mostly in the higher variants of the car. The spy shot of this isn’t very clear, but it does look like the infotainment system has been covered up. One of these screens will be the driver’s display while the infotainment system will sit in the centre and the third will be for front passenger control. The centre console is conventional and similar to the standard car with a conventional drive selector and circular knob for drive modes. Paddle shifters are present behind the steering wheel, too, and will probably be used to adjust braking regen.
The performance
Now, the Mahindra XUV.e8 is expected to be built on the company’s new INGLO platform. This is Mahindra’s dedicated platform for EVs and is capable of 60 kWh as well as 80 kWh battery capacities. Moreover, this also allows for a two-motor option. A single motor on a rear-wheel-drive config and a dual motor in an all-wheel-drive setup offer power figures in the range of 230 hp to 345 hp. The car will also come with 175-watt fast charging capabilities, and according to the WLTP cycle, the larger battery pack is capable of a total range of up to 500 km on a single charge.
The pricing
Finally, pricing and launch. The Mahindra XUV.e8 is expected to go on sale in India by 2025. The exact figure is not known at the moment, but the XUV.e8 will compete directly against the likes of the upcoming electric Tata Safari. With this rivalry in mind, we can assume a price tag near the Rs 35 lakh mark.
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