[TheGearBox]

There is no mention of Pack 2 on Mahindra's website. Neither for the XEV 9e nor for the BE 6. It just shows Pack One and Pack Three. Why is that?

[kgt.v8]

Originally Posted by TheGearBox

There is no mention of Pack 2 on Mahindra's website. Neither for the XEV 9e nor for the BE 6. It just shows Pack One and Pack Three. Why is that?

This is because Mahindra has only disclosed price and full features for Pack1 and Pack3 only.

The pre-booking site to save preference shows Pack3 only and the deliveries will be for Pack3 only. It looks like Mahindra is testing waters to see how many people buy top end variant and then price Pack2 accordingly. If Mahindra is not disclosing Pack2 features, then my assumption is that the feature list has not been finalized.
I admired Mahindra launches since new Thar was launched in 2020 as all variant details and prices were revealed. This slow variant and price reveal can kill all the enthusiasm the initial launch generates.

One of the member has posted X.com post with reply from Mahindra support giving March end as Pack2 price reveal date (Mahindra BE 6 Review).

[mtnrajdeep]

Someone I know test drove XEV 9E and felt the ride to be very bouncy on bad roads. They said it was a bad as my XUV500 with non-working rear shock absorbers - i was driving around like this for almost a year, so they know the ride quality before and after.

Anyone felt this way? This was in Hyderabad.

[Contrapunto]

Originally Posted by mtnrajdeep

Someone I know test drove XEV 9E and felt the ride to be very bouncy on bad roads. They said it was a bad as my XUV500 with non-working rear shock absorbers - i was driving around like this for almost a year, so they know the ride quality before and after.

Anyone felt this way? This was in Hyderabad.

I have driven it over almost an hour in Bangalore - over a mix of narrow bad roads, moderately good roads and over speed bumps. I think the ride is pretty sorted- in both the front and rear seat. I think they have done a good job with the suspension. Its likely the test drive car had incorrect tyre pressure.

Please don't pre-judge. Do a test drive and then decide for yourself.

PS- in my opinion, even the XUV400 has pretty good suspension setup.

[raviemailid]

Went to see the Mahindra XEV 9e at Sireesh Mahindra Yelahanka and came back with mixed emotions. I really wanted to like this car and half of my heart was already sold on it, however, seeing it in person, I am having 2nd thoughts now.

I had spoken to PPS Hebbal and Sireesh Yelahanka on 12/13 Jan and I was assured that I'll get a call back whenever they get the car. I called on 14th again, only to hear that vehicles haven't come and I'll get a call back. The callbacks never came.

Anyway, I just went to Sireesh Yelahanka as it is closest to my house to look at the car. White XEV was parked outside the showroom charging using 15A socket. 2 BE 6 were out on Test Drive but they came soon enough. I just didn't like how disproportionate the BE6 looked. It is not on my shortlist, so let's leave it there.

There was no one attending or asking people for their interest. I just walked around and took some snaps, hoping for someone to attend, but no one came. I went inside to ask for a test drive, but I was told it was in charge. The whole showroom experience is nothing to write home about. It felt like being in a Tata showroom. I am not sure if such an experience will help Mahindra convert EV sale of car costing 30L+.

So how was my feel looking at the car?

I had expected it to look bigger - when parked on a slight incline, it didn't give me the impression of a 4.8M long car. The front looks are not imposing and side profile seemed confusing to me. It's a big car on paper, but it didn't feel like one in person. I was in luck as a XUV700 came and parked just next to it to help me compare. Even though 9e is bigger than XUV700, you don't get that feeling.

The gloss area problem is real. The white car with black skirting looked ok, not striking enough.

Here are some snaps that I took. I know there have been plenty of pic, hoping I add some more context for prospective buyers:

The general rear side profile look.


The car is being charged with a 15A socket. It'll take 24 hours for it to fully charge this way.



Saw this design at the bottom skirting. Does it serve any purpose or it is just one of those quirky things from Mahindra? Will make cleaning the cart just a tad bit difficult.


Brake calipers had a different design and metal feel I guess, not sure. But the design part highlighted is definitely not metal.


Pic with me and XUV700. I am 6ft for a reference.




SUMMARY: I am extremely confused. I really wanted to like this car, checks all the boxes for me. Really disappointed with the whole experience of not being able to TD or get a better overall showroom experience.

Maybe I'll let the current hoopla dial down and get some sanity back. Go for a test drive with family and decide if it works for me or not. 80kwh battery is my bare minimum expectation, AWD is good to have. Sealion 7 is looking like a probable candidate, but I am just not convinced to spend 50L or more on a BYD brand yet. iX1 has 66kwh, small for me.

[wooka]

Originally Posted by TheGearBox

There is no mention of Pack 2 on Mahindra's website. Neither for the XEV 9e nor for the BE 6. It just shows Pack One and Pack Three. Why is that?

I met someone at the expo today who said categorically that the 'pack 2' may not even make it to the market today if the pack 3 bookings hit their manufacturing limits.

First reaction: big leap of faith putting down 30 large on pack 3 perforce.
And withing moments, given how fast this industry is moving: at the utter disbelief that by the time pack 2 comes out, if this is indeed true, that it may be behind the curve. Lets not forget that vinfast and BYD aren't sitting around. Tata will be here with an AWD very soon.

And still, no info on V2V and V2L :( the cars weren't open to visitors due to the rush. I'll TD them tomorrow and perhaps poke around for more info.

One last tidbit was that 80 KWH is the ceiling, currently. Nothing larger in the works.
No point holding out and waiting for the RTO subsidies in UP lapse - might as well proceed with the booking. I'm still waiting to see how jarring the suspension is on the 6E before I go ahead - the space is strickly OK.

[amit_2025]

Here are some pictures that I was able to click before a brief test drive yesterday. Should help compare size to the Harrier/Safari

[sachinayak]

Originally Posted by wooka

I met someone at the expo today who said categorically that the 'pack 2' may not even make it to the market today if the pack 3 bookings hit their manufacturing limits.

While as a customer, this is not ideal, I think it makes complete business sense.

Truth be told, at the launch prices of Pack 1, Mahindra is not making money. It is being sold at cost price or perhaps even at a loss (the 50KWh BYD battery on the Atto 3 itself costs 18L, based on another thread on this forum). The base variant price is only to create a sensational headline. The Pack 3 version is where the company is making money and wants to focus on. Given their production constraints, it makes complete business sense to prioritize on Pack 3. Similar to what Toyota did with their Innova Crysta launch, offering the automatic transmission only in the G and Z variant while skipping the V variant. Keep nudging the client to the top end of the price spectrum.

This not only helps the profit margin but also gives them a second opportunity to take corrective action based on market response. Rather than launch a new product and offer discounts a couple of months later (not uncommon with EVs specifically), they may decide to make Pack 2 extremely VFM if the response for Pack 3 is poor, or delay Pack 2 itself, if the response to Pack 3 is great.

With nothing compelling being launched at the Auto expo, they are in no rush to respond.

[newenergy]

I test drove the BE 6 and XEV 9e back-to-back today. This was my second time test driving both. On weekends, there was such a rush that I could only test drive the XEV 9e for 10 minutes. This time, I was able to test them both for a bit longer since there was less of a rush during the weekday. The highlight for me was the auto-park feature and the forward and backward movement using the key fob. TLDR: If you value space, then the 9e is much better.

BE 6:

1. The drive is amazing, and it is quite nimble due to its size. The driving position is not SUV-like, where you can see the bonnet, but you can slightly see the edges.
2. The suspension is very good, though I did not test it on a bad road.
3. It felt a bit awkward to hold the steering wheel due to the flat bottom and top. One can get used to it, but I prefer a circular steering wheel.
4. The interior has fewer soft-touch materials compared to the 9e. Though, due to the dark interior, it is easier to keep clean.
5. I didn’t like the center divider (halo loop).
6. There is too much piano black on the center console, and the test drive car already had scratches.
7. Backseat space is limited. Headroom was okay, but three adults will not be comfortable in the back.
8. The rear window size is very small, and with the all-black interior, the space seems even smaller.

XEV 9e:

1. This is the second time I have tried it, and, as usual, the drive is amazing.
2. You need to keep its huge size in mind. Interior space is much better than BE 6.
3. I liked the driving stance. You sit high, and the bonnet is also visible.
4. Once again, I tried the Atmos sound, and it is amazing.
5. This time, I tried the HUD and blind spot detection. It worked, and the steering wheel vibrates a little to let the driver know. The haptic feedback was a nice touch.
6. I tried the auto-park feature. This is amazing. You need to find a spot that is visible from the 360° view, find a slot, drag the marker, and then start parking, and it parks on its own. This does not need markings on the parking spot. If some object comes in between, or someone stands there, it applies the brakes. Overall, judging by the initial trial, it all worked like a charm. I was anticipating hiccups, but I am amazed.
7. I also tried the auto forward and backward movement using the key fob, and it also worked. Just keep pressing the forward or back button, and the car moves forward or backward. In case someone comes in front, it brakes, so there is no chance of collision. You can initiate this without setting anything in the infotainment screen. This will come in handy to take the car out of a tight spot (mall, office and apartment parking etc).
8. Apple CarPlay was not enabled yet, so I couldn’t try that.
9. The third screen is visible from the driver's seat, so it's better not to use that screen to avoid distraction.
10. The frunk is massive and can easily take three backpacks or a small luggage bag. This is also insulated with a rubber seal, so dust or water will not enter.
11. The white interior is, as usual, a challenge to keep clean. The same goes for the piano black plastics.

Dealer experience:

This is still typical Mahindra, do not expect fancy treatment. For me the experience was okay.

[07CR]

Originally Posted by amit_2025

Here are some pictures that I was able to click before a brief test drive yesterday. Should help compare size to the Harrier/Safari

XEV9E seems to command a substantial road presence. IMO even better than Safari. Would be interesting to see XEV9E near a Thar Roxx or a Scorpio N.

[wooka]

The only competition I saw today was the vinfast 8 and 9 that is coming soon. BYD has models that are far beyond scope to us Indians. I need Mahindra's COW recognition on my highway runs more than anything else. Don't want an unceremonious lynching to be the price I didn't pay when I could have avoided it.

Other competition?
Potentially, maybe the harrier EV AWD pulls some numbers.
Just remember, Tata doesn't need to have a perfect product, just bite into the massive void that is an AWD EV (which is practically a 4x4 due to the massive torque and electric motor) and also catch some previously burnt Mahindra customers. That'll do it.

Lastly, about the colors and the packs (sorry, some BE 6 info here)

1. The matte colors were absolutely flat. Perhaps, since I'd seen them in gloss, the matte just didn't pull it for me. Perhaps white is fine.. My friend who is a bike enthusiast specifically said so about the paint job which I wrote off to PPF. Little did I know.

2. They're making long term money on pack 1 come what may. They're technically in a loss for the first 3-4 years after such big capex on this project. Don't forget that the E7/8 (700 EV) is ready for launch but staggered due to manufacturing concerns/ limits (confirmed today at the auto fair). What it gives them is *more * cars on the road with telemetrics / customer feedback and definitely, better word of mouth. Nothing is a proving ground (puns galore) more than the retail market, and they know that. So it's money in the bank, to summarize, profit or not.

3. The base models have a lot going for them but I strickly need ADAS. I'm feeling a little burned cause the BE 6 with a tin roof would be roomier and better VFM for me in pack 2 with a 79 KWH option, any day. But going by how the taxes will go up and the dollar too, perhaps today's value on pack 3 is ideal. I cannot mentally stomach the price (and size) of the 9 so it's probably the 6 for me. My wife will have the final word. When I picked up a pretty hefty brochure today from the venue comparing pack 1 to 3, she said all the fun stuff is in the 3. We speculated that 2 could have a sunroof, alloys, and some soft touch materials. The generic Z6 scorpio N type compromise that makes pack 2 'look' good. Time will tell.

4. I asked about the Rall-e. They were very tight lipped. I suppose a few days of you tubers grilling you will do that to their reflexes. They indicated that the Rall-e and the xuv 700 EV variant (I know, New car, but old shell, let me call it that) were prod ready. I suppose it's a supply constraint. They'll also be switching over from BYD cells soon, so maybe best if I bite now before they go to VW.

[akash_v12]

Finally got a long glimpse of the XEV9E. Again, a very good-looking car till you reach the 3/4 angle. The overhang seems a bit too long but otherwise looks very older X6-like.

P.S: Eagle-Eyed observers will notice the gold BE6 tucked right behind.

[niv26]

Can we see ZOOM meeting video/presentation on third screen? It will be very useful if I sit in passenger seat.

[beemer5499]

Originally Posted by niv26

Can we see ZOOM meeting video/presentation on third screen? It will be very useful if I sit in passenger seat.

Yes we can as far as I know.

[SLK]

Originally Posted by niv26

Can we see ZOOM meeting video/presentation on third screen? It will be very useful if I sit in passenger seat.

But the camera will show your driver too, as far as I understand.