At the launch of the XEV 9S seven-seater electric SUV in Bengaluru this week, Mahindra had a surprise for journalists – a strategically positioned 70-kWh battery pack as the SUV’s mid-range offering.
The variant
The 70-kWh battery, priced Rs 24.45 lakh, ex-showroom, for the Pack Two Above variant, is designed to be the sweet spot in the XEV 9S line-up. It sits neatly between the entry-level 59-kWh model, which targets budget-conscious buyers, and the flagship 79-kWh variant, aimed at luxury buyers and those who want a long range of 500-600 km.
This battery pack also directly targets rivals such as Tata Harrier EV (65 kWh and 75 kWh).
Although we haven’t tested it, it’s expected that the 70-kWh pack will have a real-world driving range of about 450 km, providing a crucial step up from the 59-kWh model’s 400 km. It also delivers 245 PS, offering a noticeable bump in acceleration compared to the base model’s 231 PS.
By placing the 70-kWh model at a strategic price point, Mahindra offers longer range and features without requiring buyers to spend lakhs and lakhs more for the top-end 79 kWh model, which is reserved for the most premium buyers.
Powering the INGLO-Based Lineup
Beyond the XEV 9S, industry analysts expect this battery pack to also power the XEV 9e and BE 6, because all these SUVs share the INGLO (Indian Global) born-EV skateboard platform, which was designed to easily accommodate multiple battery sizes. “While the XEV 9e and BE 6 currently have two options of 59 kWh and 79 kWh, it’s likely that the new 70-kWh battery will be rolled out as a new mid-range variant for both these SUVs,” an analyst said. “This strategy ensures Mahindra can match the power and price of its electric SUVs to diverse customer needs.”
