Mahindra has begun the second chapter of its transition to electric vehicles, with the debut of its XUV400 electric SUV. Unveiled late on Thursday, the new electric car will be Mahindra’s first all-electric SUV to enter production for the Indian market. The company has promised to put it on sale in 16 Indian cities by January 2023, while its test drives will begin from December this year. What is clear for now is that anticipation is high for the new XUV400 among Indian EV enthusiasts, especially as more and more automakers come up with their battery-powered vehicles in the country.
For now, we know some of the specifics of the new XUV400. Part of this information was revealed during the debut of the EV, while much of it was known already, thanks to its concept form that was showcased at the Auto Expo 2020. For a simple reference, know that the XUV400 is based on the XUV300 compact SUV that Mahindra currently sells in India. This is also why many may find the EV familiar at the first glance.
There are, of course, several other specifics that come with the electrification of the car. Here are the top five things you should know about the XUV400, which is due to be launched in India soon.
1. Mahindra XUV400 is slightly bigger than the XUV300
First things first, the new XUV400 is slightly bigger in size than the XUV300 SUV that runs on petrol. Both cars are based on the SsangYong Tivoli, which uses the X100 platform. However, the XUV300 had its length shortened in order to benefit from the subsidies offered to sub-4m vehicles. Since electric vehicles have no such positives of a compact form factor so far, Mahindra has kept the XUV400 electric SUV a bit longer than the XUV300, with a total length of 4.2 meters.
Other dimensions include a width of 1821 mm and a wheelbase of 2600 mm. The electric SUV comes with a boot space of 378 litres or 418 litres up to the roof. Other than this, there is practically no difference in the silhouette of the two cars. We see the same raised stance with a roof line slanting inwards as it goes back from a rather wide and imposing front. There are some design changes on top of this shell to mark the difference between the two.
2. Mahindra XUV400 promises the best in class range
At the EV’s debut, Mahindra promised that the XUV400 can cover a distance of about 456 kilometres on a single charge of its 39.4kW lithium-ion battery pack. The number is a drastic improvement over the other range claimed by other EVs in its expected price segment. The Tata Nexon EV Prime, for instance, covers up to 312 kilometres on a single charge. Its step-up version, the Tata Nexon EV Max, can cover up to 437 kilometres in a full charge, still falling short of what Mahindra claims for the XUV400.
The XUV400 also comes with fast charging capability, taking just about 50 minutes for 80 per cent of charging through a 50kW DC fast charger. A full charge through a 7.2 kW charger, can take up to 6 hours and 30 minutes, while a standard 3.3 kW domestic charger takes 13 hours for the same.
3. Mahindra XUV400 features a dual-tone roofline
While Mahindra displayed the XUV400 in only two colours during its unveil, the electric SUV will be available in five colour options upon its launch. These are Arctic Blue, Everest White, Galaxy Grey, Napoli Black and Infinity Blue. The interesting part is that all these colours will feature a dual-tone roof that will sport a Satin Copper finish at the top.
4. Mahindra XUV400 is loaded with features
Being an electric SUV that is likely to have a price in the range of the Tata Nexon EV Prime, the Mahindra XUV400 is loaded with new-age features. These include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, and connectivity options through BlueSense Plus, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, a smartwatch, as well as type-C outlets. Some other features include an electric sunroof, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and support for Over The Air updates.
The EV features three driving modes – Fun, Fast and Fearless, as well as a single pedal drive mode termed ‘Lively mode’ by Mahindra.
5. Mahindra XUV400 goes big on safety
We have seen Mahindra vehicles offer the best in class safety for several years now. The Indian automaker will likely continue the streak with the XUV400, as the all-electric SUV has several safety features on offer. These include six airbags, disc brakes on all four wheels, ABS with EBD, and a rear parking camera with sensors.
The XUV400 is also equipped with microcontrollers for critical parts. This means that components like the smart vehicle control unit and the battery management system will adhere to the highest level of safety as per global standards.
