Radical UK-designed sports SUVs lead EV push for Mahindra

The firm remains committed to SUVs, even in light of the flexibility of the MEB architecture, and says that Volkswagen's phasing out of MEB in favour of the new SSP platform from 2025 won't have any bearing on its product roll-out.

Rajesh Jejurikar, who heads up Mahindra's automotive and farming divisions, said localisation of production and component supply will be critical to Mahindra progressing with its own plans as Volkswagen changes direction.  

Even more significant is the use of Volkswagen Group components in the cars' make-up. The so-called Inglo platform, which has been developed in India while the cars were designed at Mahindra Advanced Design Europe in Banbury, Oxfordshire, will underpin all of Mahinda's EVs from now on. 

Mahindra's European design centre is based on the same site as its successful Formula E racing team, which the firm says promotes collaboration on the subjects of EV efficiency, aerodynamics and other technological aspects of electrification. 

The Inglo platform has been conceived with an equal focus on advanced battery hardware, computing power and human-machine interaction - with capacity for 'exhilarating' performance and "excellent range and efficiency", while simultaneously introducing a new virtual reality interface and 5G functionality to allow over-the-air software updates.

Details remain unclear on exactly how similar Inglo and MEB (as used by the Volkswagen ID 3, Audi Q4 E-tron and Cupra Born) are related, but certainly Mahindra's vision hinges similarly around the modularity of the new architecture, which will allow it to explore new segments and usher in a raft of new models, while minimising development costs and streamlining its aftersales operations.  

Mahindra claims the skateboard architecture is one of the world's lightest. It houses common-format LFP batteries with a cell-to-pack design, ranging in capacity from 60kWh to 80kWh and capable of charging at rates of up to 175kW. That's quicker than any MEB-based EV currently on sale, but Autocar understands that Volkswagen Group cars will be upgraded with the larger cells in due course. 

Meanwhile, a new battery-management system has been integrated to ensure that intense charge-discharge cycles don't have a severe impact on battery longevity, reducing waste and costs.

The Inglo-based cars will come with a semi-active suspension system aimed at enhancing rolling refinement and cornering response; Mahindra promises "an immersive sporty drive experience".

Also, a dual-pinion steering system will boost control while remaining "feather-light" to use and the integration of brake-by-wire technology means drivers can select how they want their brakes to perform depending on driving situation. 

The battery will charge drivetrains of either single-motor, rear-wheel-drive or dual-motor, four-wheel-drive formats. Mahindra remains tight-lipped on detailed performance figures but has said its EVs will offer "class-leading" range and "best-in-class" recuperation from their regenerative brakes. 

Power will range from 228bhp to 282bhp in the single-motor cars and from 335bhp to 389bhp in the 4WD options, and while final specifications are some way off, Mahindra has already promised a best 0-62mph time of between five and six seconds. 

The possibility of the Volkswagen Group using Inglo itself to launch affordable EVs in India – likely under the Skoda marque – hasn't yet been ruled out. Mahindra would be in favour of such a move, said Jejurikar,  because "that's how you get scale".