Mahindra is gearing up for future buyers. Unveils limited edition ‘Bat' BE6, 4 new concepts
The event began with 'The Bat', the Mahindra electric BE6 SUV, which many of us thought was inspired by the Batmobile when we first saw it in December 2024. Now, the carmaker has tied up with Warner Bros to license the brand, with Batman logos and inspired touches all over the vehicle. A limited run of 300 cars ought to make this a collector's item. But that was just an appetiser before the real thing.
At its annual Independence Day event, Mahindra Automotive showcased four new concepts. Over the last few years, Mahindra and Mahindra has taken ownership of Independence Day, in a manner of speaking. Events to showcase their latest products and concepts are a heavy mix of nationalism, technology, and a hint of testosterone, especially when you consider last year's Thar Roxx.
Two other vehicles were showcased as well. The Vision.X, a sub-4m crossover-style vehicle, is likely designed to replace the current Mahindra 3XO compact SUV. And then there is the Vision.S, which was clearly inspired by the Land Rover Defender, albeit smaller. However, it also looks like something Mahindra could bring to eventually replace the trusty old Bolero SUV, a staple of rural and semi-urban India.
An 'all-in-one' platform
However, the NU_IQ platform is much more than just these four concepts—it hints at Mahindra's future direction. The automaker is a leader among SUV manufacturers in India, with a revenue market share of 27 per cent. With large vehicles like the Thar Roxx, Scorpio N, and XUV700, Mahindra has captured the machismo market. Even their current electric offerings, the BE6 and XEV9e, are large. And the company has put its money where its mouth is—the new platform and the vehicles based on it are part of a massive Rs 27,000 crore spend Mahindra has earmarked between FY25 to FY27.
While Mahindra Automotive does sell several sub-4m vehicles, such as the three-door Thar, Bolero Neo, and 3XO, the company clearly wants to invest more in this direction. NU_IQ is thus a core part of Mahindra's 'Vision 2030'. As Velusamy R, President, Automotive, Mahindra explained, this new platform will be capable of having vehicles ranging in length from 3990mm to 4320mm, where a bulk of vehicles in the Indian market are still sold.
The new platform is also capable of using multiple drivetrains from the get-go, both electric and internal combustion engine. It can also accommodate both front-wheel and all-wheel drive systems and has a flat cabin floor inside the vehicle, something Velusamy is particularly proud of. So, the new electric Thar could also be the second generation of the Thar Roxx.
This is the first time Mahindra is making an 'all-in-one' platform like global carmakers. However, the company will most likely skip hybrid vehicles. As Jejurikar has explained multiple times over the years, Mahindra does not believe in hybrid technology.
Also read: I've changed my mind on ethanol blending. It's a win India can't afford to slow down
Planning for future buyers
One thing to note is that none of the vehicles we saw at Mahindra's latest Independence Day bash are anywhere near the production-ready stage, except the limited-edition BE6. The NU_IQ vehicles, which will play a major role in the company's global expansion, will only start rolling off the Chakan plant in 2027. No timelines were offered for which vehicle would be launched first.
Mahindra has clearly been on the upswing, deposing both Hyundai and Tata Motors to occasionally take the second spot in the Indian market. Its vehicles, such as the XUV700 and Thar Roxx, have won the Indian Car of the Year award in 2022 and 2025. It has adopted the latest technology, including 'V2X', a 'vehicle to everything' system that only a few other carmakers like Tesla possess—although the system is not publicly available due to spectrum licensing issues.
Mahindra's brand image and share price are at an all-time high. Yet, some Mahindra executives privately admit that viral social media clips of unruly Thar and Scorpio drivers are hitting home. 'What do you think we should do about that?' one asked me. I had no answer.
While the company isn't responsible for the disorderly conduct of those who drive its vehicles, it could still affect the brand. Mahindra has become synonymous with machismo, something that could eventually come back to bite the carmaker.
Perhaps that is what the company means by 'New IQ'—it's catering to the needs of the next generation of buyers.
Kushan Mitra is an automotive journalist based in New Delhi. He tweets @kushanmitra. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)
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