Mahindra BE 6: The Indian automobile arena is amidst sea-change and the latest offering from Mahindra is ready to get the BE 6 grounded.
This new SUV has been making headlines among fans and industry watchers alike, all the more so because of its unbeatable ‘dhakad’ performance features and game-changing automatic drive engineering.
Poised to create the next benchmark in the premium electric segment, the BE 6 is Mahindra Woodbourne’s big bang entry into the fast-evolving electric sustainable mobility landscape.
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Mahindra BE 6 Philosophy of Design: Bold New Territory
Mahindra BE 6 The BE 6 is quite different from traditional Mahindra aesthetics, taking a more futuristic design to relay the Indian car manufacturer’s forward outlook.
At the front, the car’s exaggerated width is further enhanced by a unique light profile that makes the car easily identifiable on the road.
With no need for the traditional grille (a staple of an EV, of course), the shape of the rest of the car’s nose can be kept nice and clean for aerodynamics and aesthetics.
Large wheel arches that house huge aerodynamic alloys give the vehicle a strong road presence, while the low-profile, tapering greenhouse gives a dynamic silhouette without sacrificing the interior space.
The aerodynamic coefficient is also enhanced in combination with the air intakes and the flush door handles and smooth lines down the side of the car result in a very favourable Cd which also impacts directly on the car’s range.
What really distinguishes the BE 6 visually, however, is its uncompromisingly contemporary take on the SUV.
Instead of trying to replicate a petrol driven vehicle, Mahindra’s designers have been given a free hand to make something that is truly forward-thinking, something that says loudly and proudly that it is electric without modifiers.
without a badge that reads like a cosmetic add-on saying “Hey!!! We are Electric!!! ”.
Powertrain: Prowess of the “Dhakad” promise
True to its billing, “dhakad”, the newer BE 6 boasts of an advanced twin motor configuration that promises performance numbers which have never been seen or heard before in this segment.
The AWD drivetrain delivers a combined output of more than a healthy 300 bhp, sufficient to propel the considerable SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 6 sec—a fact that puts some sports cars to shame.
At its core is Mahindra’s new high-density battery pack providing around 80 kWh of usable energy.
This generous power storage is responsible for a certified range of more than an impressive 450 kilometres under the standard test procedure.
Even more impressively, in real life testing, the vehicle isn’t stressing in the face of driving aggressively – 380-400km may not see range anxiety even amidst more spirited use.
Plug-in capability has also been given the spotlight, with the BE 6 capable of up to 150 kW DC fast-charging that allows the battery level to be topped up from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes.
At home, the supplied 11 kW AC wallbox can be used to charge the car overnight, providing a convenient and practical solution for a wide range of owners.
Automatic Drive System: Cutting-Edge Technology The Bell & Ross BR-X2 Tourbillon Micro-Rotor’s “e” in BR-X2 stands for “experiment,” but far from just a series of smartly configured test components, everything about the “e” epitomizes a high-end, crazy-ass, boundary-pushing experiment conducted with thousands of miles of stainless steel and miles of superglue rather than miles of Casio… if you know what we mean.
The BE 6’s most revolutionary feature, however, may be its full- fledged ADAS (andc we use the term with due diligence) suite, for which the makers claim could well be the fullest set of driver aids currently allowed within the parameters of the Indian law book.
The system combines an advanced set of sensors such as multiple cameras, radar units, and ultrasonic detectors which help the vehicle build an accurate picture of its surroundings.
An automatic drive system provides a plurality of modes to match various driving circumstances. Highway Assist holds the chosen position in the lane and adjusts speed accordingly to match traffic flow, thereby minimising driver fatigue during long-range driving while further freeing up the driver to focus more on the lateral side of driving.
The Urban Traffic Assistant functions up to the very point of stop-start traffic boredom in congested urban areas, intervening with the driver as little as only its algorithms allow.
The Advanced Parking System is capable of recognizing an appropriate parking space and of performing a parking action with an accuracy based on its own control actions without the driver’s intervention.
Not quite self-driving, but the system in the BE 6 is Level 2+ autonomy – at present, as advanced as it gets on Indian roads.
Perhaps just as important, however, Mahindra has designed the hardware to be able to do more as regulations change and as technology evolves, kind of future-proofing the vehicle against a fast-moving technology environment.
Inside: Luxury and Greenery Collide
“There’s lots of room in the back,” he said, adding that interiors are such that most premium European automakers should be embarrassed. The dashboard is spartan in its design, with a huge panoramic display that houses the driver information and central infotainment functions.
All of this vast digital terrain is driven by Mahindra’s advanced user interface design that assists with intuitive operation via touch, voice or an array of physical controls.
Injecting a high standard of material quality with a wide use of sustainable choices that do not have to sacrifice a premium feel.
Using recycled upholstery, responsibly sourced wood accents, and advanced synthetic fabrics, we made a premium and sustainable interior as beautiful as it is intuitive.
The bespoke electric vehicle platform provides a totally flat floor and more efficient packaging inside, which means genuinely usable space for all occupants.
Leg space across both rows is greater than most traditional SUVs of the same outsides dimensions, and the cargo volume is every bit as generous despite the large battery pack that’s under the floor.
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The BE 6 acts as a hub in Mahindra’s growing connected universe. The new infotainment system also offers natural language voice control, smartphone connectivity and an extensive range of apps designed specifically for the Indian market.
The car works with digital key technology, enabling owners to provide access to pals on their smartphones.
Uninterrupted connection via 5G enables real-time traffic updates, over-the-air (OTA) software updates and predictive maintenance alerts.
And with yet another world-first, in that there is a dedicated app available to allow remote charging status, remote climate control (pre-conditioning the A/C), and where the vehicle is located, it’s integrated into owner’s digital lives.
Mahindra BE 6 Market Position and Prospects
Mahindra BE 6 To be positioned as a premium offering in the electric space, the BE 6 is Mahindra’s second official electric model and shows the company’s commitment to the premium electric space.
Though not officially released, the exact pricing is estimated to be priced very competitively compared to electric SUVs of the world, considering its features and performance.
It will be followed by the production at the company’s electric vehicle plant in Maharashtra and deliveries starting from the next quarter.
The company has gone a LONG way towards addressing another key part the stable of living with a dedicated electric car infrastructure for AC and DC charging on major highways.
Mahindra to offer a unique customer value proposition, straddling the entire automobile value chain and, in the process, take a leapfrog approach to foster sustainable shared mobility and promote national progress.
The “dhakad” BE º isn’t just a new model—it’s a loud, unequivocal statement from Mahindra about what it sees as the future of sustainable premium mobility in the world’s auto industry juggernaut.
