Mahindra has launched the XEV 9e and BE 6e electric SUVs in India at disruptive prices. The BE 6E has a radical design that makes it look like a concept car. It is polarizing, with the public expressing a wide range of opinions about it. The 9e has a more mature look. A Pakistani YouTuber recently posted a video showing the public’s reaction to the designs of the XEV 9e and BE 6e.
He has posted two videos, each showing public reaction to the design of the BE 6e and XEV 9e respectively. Let’s start with the 9e. The host shows the vehicle to two random people and asks them to identify the manufacturer, guess the price and give feedback about its design.
The guys end up saying it could be a Korean product. They further say that if sold in Pakistan, the car could cost 7-9 crores. This is, however, due to the country’s poor economic structure. He further says that if he’s to talk in dollars, it could be around $70,000 (roughly 60 lakh INR). The host then shows them the price- 21.9 lakh. Both of them are shocked by the price- finds it astounding for it to be so affordable.
Another guy, who shows up later in the video, says the car could be made by some American or British company, going by how it looks. Another guy says his favourite car is the Mahindra Thar. All of them agree unanimously that India has had a major leap ahead, compared to Pakistan in making great cars and pricing them right. The guys are shocked by the pricing. They refuse to believe the price tag of the vehicle and say that it would be much more expensive.
The video also talks (rather complains) about how Pakistan’s economy and automotive market remain rudimentary and aren’t fair enough.
In the second video, the host shows the people the BE 6E- the more radical e-SUV of the two. People shown in the video are seen getting awestruck by the design and praising it. The BE 6e has a starting price of 18.9 lakh, ex-showroom. This is seen giving people tremendous shocks.
People seem to be aware of the fact that Pakistan is underdeveloped compared to India and faces a severe financial crisis due to weak leadership and policymaking. Businesses struggle to sustain and come up with fair pricing for their products.
Mahindra BE 6e and XEV 9e: Quick Look At Them
Both these electric SUVs are based on Mahindra’s in-house developed INGLO platform, and come with 59 and 79 kWh battery packs. The BE 6e gets a rear-mounted electric motor (thus RWD) that can produce 282 hp and 380 Nm along with radical styling. The XEV 9e gets a more mature design, comfort-oriented cabin design, and a massive triple digital display.
The EVs get a semi-active suspension setup, variable ratio gears for the electric power steering, and many other technologies. Both vehicles are claimed to offer a range of over 500 km. The 9e is more or less an electric coupe based on the popular XUV 700. The BE 6e on the other hand, has been designed ground up, to be a sporty electric vehicle that would appeal to the spirited youth. It looks as exciting as a design study or auto expo show car. The production-spec gets a sporty cabin design with ample comfort and a lot of features.
One of the most important features of the BE 6E and XEV 9e is the audio system. These get a 15 speaker, 1400 Watts Harman Kardon sound system, with Dolby Atmos. These become the first Indian car to get Dolby Atmos.