Mahindra BE 6: The Mahindra BE 6 is a bold declaration of intent in the rapidly changing landscape of Indian electric vehicles and is born of the automaker’s constant pursuit for a cleaner modes of motorised transportation, while not losing sight of the rugged DNA that has endeared the brand to millions of customers over several decades of its existence.
The BE 6 isn’t just one more product in Mahindra’s grand electric vehicle roadmap, but a new way of thinking, and potentially, could change the way Indians view electric mobility.
Mahindra BE 6: Philosophy of Design: Pushing the Boundaries
The BE 6 is a radical departure from Mahindra’s traditional design approach with the future-forward look when plying Indian streets.
The crossover boasts a signature C-shaped LED headlamp design that wraps around a sealed-off front fascia which leaves almost no doubt as to its electric-powered nature.
Aperients From the outside, muscular wheel arches, sharp character lines and a strongly chiseled floating roof mark a silhouette that does bear Mahindra’s distinctive rugged image but ups the ante with-the-use-of modern elements.
Unlike most converted ICE platforms, the BE 6 is based on Mahindra’s bespoke INGLO electric architecture, and this has helped it achieve better proportions in the form-stub dimensions with a shorter overhang and longer wheelbase.
This foundation allows the car to optimise interior room without compromising on small dimensions appropriate for Indian roads.
Cabin: A New Truly Luxurious Experience
Inside, the cabin is Mahindra’s take on the future of automotive interiors. The dashboard is based around a wide panoramic digital display, which integrates instrument cluster and infotainment functions in a curved screen stretching two-thirds of the width of the dashboard.
Some other competitors may have gone all-touch with interfaces, but physical controls are still in place for important functions—a pragmatic, if a bit surprising, compromise.
The cabin is also largely finished in sustainable materials, including recycled upholstery and responsibly sourced wood trim, while alternative leather options underscore Mahindra’s green-mindedness.
The flat floor, which is one of the perks of a dedicated EV platform, provides rear occupants with abundant legroom, while the panoramic glass roof helps to make the space open and airy.
Performance Credentials
Under its handsome skin, the BE 6 sports a pair of motors that produce the equivalent of about 280 hp and 560 Nm of blunt-force torque — two numbers that the Geely ute compares favorably to bog-standard and electrical rivals alike.
The claimed 0-100 km/h acceleration at 6.8 seconds puts the vehicle in a performance bracket previously occupied by luxury vehicles available in India.
The 77 kWh battery gives a WLTP-rated range of more than 450 km and a real-life range of around 380 – 400 km in mixed driving.
Featuring 150 kW DC fast-charging option, BE 6 gets 80% of its charge in only 35 minutes from compatible infrastructure.
Technology Integration
Technology packed There are loads of tech as well featured in the BE 6 that go beyond merely convenience.
The car will feature Level 2+ ADAS including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and autonomous emergency braking, which remain rare in the Indian market if not in premium segments.
It has the infotainment system with 5G connectivity, OTA updates, a very rich voice assistant that can understand Indian accents and work in local languages. App integration in the car also provides remote climate control, charging schedule and location services.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Bold styling that doesn’t look like every other SUV and EV on the road
Structure designed based on electric platform, for maximum use of space
Stellar performance numbers that defy the stereotype of the electric car
The range is competitive for travel between cities
Advanced ADAS features beyond most Indian market products
Environmentally friendly interior materials that mirror the needs of environment friendly consumers
Trusted Mahindra service network assuring peace of mind after sales support
Cons:
High prices make it unaffordable for most EV buyers
Lack of public charging infrastructure in regional areas
Problems of battery aging in harsh Indian weather conditions
Handles differently due to weight penalty vs similar ICE vehicle sizes
First generation technology may suffer from reliability problems
High overall costs for Battery and Electronics components
Lower towing capacity than the equivalent diesels
Mahindra BE 6: Market Position and Future Effect
The BE 6 is priced in the range of ₹18 – 24 lakhs (ex-showroom) depending on the variant and it falls in the upper middle segment of the market in India. ”
The positioning is consistent with the Mahindra strategic objective to have electric vehicles simply be cool and aspirational rather than only be about saving money on fuel or being priced at parity with internal combustion engine alternatives.”
The BE 6 is an illustration of Mahindra’s realisation that the EV sales curve in India will be top-down, with wealthier buyers paving the way, until economies of scale bring electric propulsion within reach of more and more market segments.
With the charging infrastructure still being developed in India and government incentives possibly changing in the future, models like the BE 6 help drive consumer expectation and speed up the move to cleaner, greener mobility.
Whether or not the BE 6 becomes a sales volume champion will be less relevant to its role as a marker, along with the Terro, in the rebranding of Mahindra as a player in the global EV market and Indian automakers as pioneers in the electric mobility space.
