Mahindra XEV 9S

Exactly a year on since the debut of its first ‘Electric Origin’ SUVs, Mahindra has launched its newest electric vehicle (EV) the Mahindra XEV 9S, at a starting price of Rs 19.95 lakh for the Pack One Above variant. Sitting at the top of the carmaker's electric SUV portfolio, the XEV 9S is the biggest battery-powered model from Mahindra yet, and the third based on its bespoke EV architecture. Mahindra has revealed the Pack Two Above will cost Rs 24.45 lakh (70 kWh) and Rs 25.45 lakh (79 kWh), Pack Three will cost Rs Rs 27.35 lakh and Pack Three Above is priced at Rs 29.45 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom).

In appearance, the XEV 9S may look similar to the combustion-engined XUV700, because it adopts the same silhouette. The styling touches, though, link it closely to the XEV 9E. In terms of size, the XEV 9S is quite similar to the XUV700, being almost the same height (1,745 mm) but with a marginally longer 2,762 mm wheelbase.

Powering the XEV 9S are the same motors found in the other Electric Origin SUVs, offering power outputs of 228 bhp and 282 bhp, while torque is the same for all variants, at 380 Nm. This, according to Mahindra, helps make the XEV 9S the fastest seven-seat SUV under Rs 70 lakh, with a top speed of 202 kmph. The 0 to 100 kmph acceleration times are 7.9 seconds for the 228 bhp model, and 7 seconds for the 282 bhp version.