Mahindra BE.05 launch expected in January 2025

The Mahindra BE.05 is ready for production and will spearhead the company’s first serious stab at the fast-evolving EV market in India.

Published On Oct 07, 2024 01:46:00 PM

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Exclusive spy shots of Mahindra’s BE.05 reveal that the company is close to production-ready with its new range of EVs and will start manufacturing them at its Chakan plant later this year, in time for an early 2025 launch. According to sources, the plan is to launch the BE.05 in January.

Mahindra BE.05 will look similar to the radically designed concept
Interior highlights include a floating wraparound element on the dash
To get 60kWh and 79kWh battery options; RWD and AWD expected

Mahindra BE.05: design, dimensions

Measuring 4,370mm in length, 1,900mm in width, 1,635mm in height and with a wheelbase of 2,775mm, the BE.05’s dimensions are similar to the EVX’s. Mahindra is banking on the radically styled BE.05 to pull in customers who want an electric SUV with a distinct road presence and packed with tech. Designer Pratap Bose has penned a radical-looking SUV to stand out from the crowd, and there’s no doubt the BE.05 will turn heads. It has lots of striking design elements, such as C-shaped lights, sharp angles, scoops and ducts that complement the high stance, and large wheels for an unmissable road presence and a wow factor to pull in customers.

With the BE.05, Mahindra is following a new trend of using piano black finishes on exterior elements to create a sense of sophistication and premium appeal. Mahindra has liberally applied a glossy, deep black finish to the grille, headlight cluster surrounds, mirror caps and side panels. While there is no doubt that piano black accents lift the aesthetic appeal, they could also show wear and tear more easily.

Mahindra BE.05: interior, features

The interior of the production version BE.05 is again similar to the concept, and like the exterior, it has a radical design theme. A flat dashboard, which sits under a low windscreen line, hints at superb forward visibility. But looking at the small and sharply raked rear glass, rearward visibility is unlikely to be as good. A twin-screen setup takes pride of place and is likely to be packed with even more tech and features than the ICE cars. A unique design feature is the ‘halo’ or a floating wraparound element that extends from the dashboard to the centre console, creating a cockpit-like environment to underscore the driver-centric focus of the BE.05.

Mahindra BE.05: battery, range, performance

In fact, the sporty and sharply angled silhouette suggests that BE.05 is targeted more at enthusiasts than families, and sources say that Mahindra is confident of delivering ‘best-in-class’ ride and handling. The BE.05 has been developed with both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations with multiple powertrain options. Mahindra has been in talks with Volkswagen to use the German automaker’s powerful APP 550 motor, which develops 286hp and 535Nm of torque, but it is unclear if this motor will be available at launch or come at a later stage.

What we can confirm is that at launch, the BE.05 will have a Valeo motor driving the rear wheels only. The motor is rated at 170kW (231hp) and 380Nm, as revealed by the company in August 2023.

Unlike the XUV400, which was plagued with front wheelspin due to its front-wheel-drive layout, switching to rear-wheel-drive for the BE.05 promises to improve traction and balance, allowing for more controlled and engaging handling.

The BE.05 will come with two battery options, a 79kWh and a smaller 60kWh pack. The larger battery pack is expected to give a range of around 450km under the WLTP cycle. The big news, though, is the ultra-fast charging the BE.05’s INGLO platform supports. The 79kWh pack can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in just 20 minutes, provided you use a fast DC charger with an output of at least 175kW.

However, frequent charging to 100 percent can negatively impact long-term battery life. To mitigate this, the BE.05’s battery management system allows users to set a “charging limit,” automatically stopping the charge when the State of Charge (SOC) reaches the preset level. We can also confirm that the BE.05 will be offered with five levels of regen, with the highest regen offered by One Pedal Drive.

Spy shots courtesy Karan Raj

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