A
few
weeks
back,
after
delays
caused
by
the
godforsaken
pandemic
and
supply
shortages,
Mahindra
finally
revealed
its
electric
lineup
for
the
future
in
the
form
of
the
all-new
electrified
twin
peaks
XUV
and
the
Born
Electric
brands.
However,
one
EV
that
was
missing
on
the
15th
of
August
in
England
was
the
production
version
of
the
eXUV300
concept.
However,
that
has
now
changed
with
the
arrival
of
the
all-new
Mahindra
XUV400.
So
does
the
all-new
XUV400
herald
the
dawn
of
Mahindra’s
return
to
the
top
of
the
Indian
electric
market,
or
should
we
wait
for
the
upcoming
InGlo
platform-based
electric
lineup
from
either
the
electric
twin
peaks
XUV
or
Born
Electric?
We
drove
a
pre-production
version
of
the
upcoming
Mahindra
XUV400
near
the
manufacturer’s
facilities
in
Chennai
to
find
out…
Mahindra
XUV400
Exterior
Design
–
Retweaked
XUV300
With
A
Few
Extra
Copper
Details
The
new
electric
Mahindra
XUV400
is
a
retweaked
version
of
the
internal
combustion
engine-powered
XUV300
with
a
few
obvious
eXUV300-inspired
tweaks
and
of
course,
the
new
copper-coloured
highlights.
At
the
front
of
the
electric
XUV400,
Mahindra
has
quite
sensibly
closed
off
the
front
grille
section
and
front
bumper
thanks
to
the
lower
cooling
requirements
of
the
EV.
The
closed-off
front
grille
sports
the
new
twin
peaks
logo
as
well
as
arrowhead-shaped
inserts,
all
of
which
are
finished
in
copper.
Other
copper
highlights
can
be
seen
under
the
wraparound
headlights
and
on
the
front
bumper,
along
with
the
sides
sills
of
the
SUV
and
on
the
twin
peaks
logo
at
the
back.
The
other
major
copper
highlight
comes
in
the
form
of
the
roof
that
has
been
finished
in
a
glossy
copper
shade.
The
overall
profile
of
the
new
XUV400
remains
identical
to
the
XUV300
despite
its
increased
length
and
the
electric
SUV
rides
on
the
same
set
of
16-inch
alloy
wheels
that
we
see
on
its
ICE
sibling.
The
taillights,
though
the
same
shape,
feature
new
arrowhead-shaped
inserts.
The
new
Mahindra
XUV400
is
offered
in
five
colour
options:
Arctic
Blue,
Everest
White,
Galaxy
Grey,
Napoli
Black
and
Infinity
Blue
all
of
which
feature
a
dual-tone
roof
option
in
a
Satin
Copper
finish.
Mahindra
XUV400
Interior
&
Features
–
More
Of
The
Same
Step
inside
the
new
XUV400
and
the
changes
once
again
are
minimal
when
compared
to
its
ICE-powered
XUV300
sibling.
While
the
overall
layout
remains
the
same,
the
interior
is
now
finished
in
black
and
there
are
copper
inserts
for
the
surrounds
of
the
air
vents,
sound
and
A/C
controls
and
the
twin
peaks
badge
on
the
steering
wheel.
The
biggest
visible
change
comes
in
the
form
of
the
new
gear
selector
that
also
features
a
satin
copper
surround.
The
seats
are
comfortable
and
feature
ample
bolstering
to
keep
you
in
them.
The
XUV400’s
seats
sport
blue
stitching
which
looks
quite
nice.
Where
the
new
XUV400
doesn’t
feel
nice
is
when
you
move
your
fingers
around
the
car.
There
is
hard
plastic
almost
everywhere
and
the
piano
black
surrounds
for
the
central
console
are
an
absolute
finger
magnet
and
will
start
to
look
splodgy
after
only
a
few
hours
of
touching
buttons
and
moving
dials.
Speaking
about
the
centre
console,
the
7-inch
supports
both
Android
Auto
and
Apple
CarPlay
like
the
one
seen
on
the
XUV300.
However,
unlike
its
ICE
sibling,
the
new
XUV400’s
infotainment
unit
runs
Mahindra’s
new
AdrenoX
software
and
sports
the
automaker’s
Blue
Sense+
suite
of
connected
car
apps.
This
allows
for
features
like
OTA
updates
and
detailed
route
planning.
However,
we
were
unable
to
test
out
these
features
on
the
XUV400
we
drove
as
it
was
a
pre-production
unit
with
a
few
kinks
to
sort
out.
The
new
XUV400
comes
packed
with
features
including
dual-zone
climate
control,
a
single-pane
sunroof
and
cruise
control
among
others.
The
new
XUV400
also
packs
in
all
the
safety
tech
possible
with
6
airbags,
all-wheel
disc
brakes,
ISOFIX
anchors
for
child
seats
and
IP67
dust
and
water
resistance
rating
for
both
the
motor
and
battery
pack.
Mahindra
XUV400
Powertrain
&
Dimensions
The
Mahindra
XUV400
is
the
first
of
a
lineup
of
multiple
electric
SUVs
that
the
carmaker
plans
to
bombard
the
Indian
market
with.
The
XUV400
sports
a
single
electric
motor
that
power
the
front
axle
of
the
new
SUV.
The
Mahindra
XUV400’s
permanent
magnet
synchronous
motor
produces
147.5bhp
and
310Nm
of
peak
torque
which
is
sent
to
the
front
wheels
by
a
single-speed
gearbox.
The
Mahindra
XUV400
features
three
major
driving
modes
which
affect
the
power
delivery,
regen
and
steering
feel.
The
three
modes
are
dubbed
fun,
fast
and
fearless.
Also
seen
is
a
new
single
pedal
driving
mode
named ‘Lively’.
The
electric
motor
is
fed
by
a
39.4kWh
high-density
battery
pack
that
delivers
a
claimed
range
of
456
kilometres
in
modified
Indian
Driving
Conditions
(MIDC).
The
battery
pack
offers
three
different
charging
speeds
thanks
to
a
CCS2
type
charging
connection.
When
plugged
into
a
domestic
16A
domestic
socket
(around
3.3kW
AC)
the
0-100
per
cent
charging
time
is
a
massive
13
hours.
That
charging
time
can
be
halved
if
you
plug
the
XUV400
into
a
7.2kWh
plug
point.
The
fastest
charging
speed
on
offer
is
50kW
DC
charging
and
if
you
can
find
one
of
these
chargers
then
topping
the
battery
pack
from
0
to
80
per
cent
takes
just
50
minutes.
The
Mahindra
XUV400
is
a
well-proportioned
SUV
measuring
4,200mm
long,
1,821mm
wide
and
1,634mm
tall.
The
wheelbase
of
the
Mahindra
XUV400
electric
SUV
is
2,600mm
long
and
features
a
378-litre
boot.
Mahindra
XUV400
Driving
Impressions
–
Surprisingly
Spirited
The
Mahindra
XUV400’s
electric
powertrain
gives
the
all-new
electric
SUV
a
rather
spirited
driving
mode
thanks
to
the
instant
availability
of
torque
from
the
motor.
Mahindra
claims
that
the
XUV400
will
sprint
from
0-100km/h
in
just
8.3
seconds
and
onwards
to
a
limited
top
speed
of
150km/h.
The
three
different
driving
modes
–
Fun,
Fast
and
Fearless
–
change
the
steering
feel,
regen
and
performance
from
the
go
faster
pedal.
In ‘Fun’ mode,
the
top
speed
is
limited
to
95km/h
and
the
steering
feels
very
light
and
the
throttle
response
is
rather
lackadaisical.
The ‘Fast’
mode
uses
around
90
per
cent
of
the
power
from
the
motor,
which
allows
the
XUV400
to
sprint
to
a
top
speed
of
135km/h
thanks
to
a
quicker-responding
throttle
pedal
while
the
steering
feels
heavier
compared
to
Fun
mode.
In
the ‘Fearless’
driving
mode,
the
steering
feels
slightly
heavier
and
you
get
the
full
output
of
the
motor
when
you
put
your
right
foot
down
hard.
While
Mahindra
claims
the
production-spec
XUV400
will
be
limited
to
150km/h,
we
were
able
to
push
the
pre-production
unit
even
further
to
160km/h
at
Mahindra’s
test
track.
The
three
modes
also
feature
different
regenerative
braking
modes
with
regen
levels
getting
lower
as
you
switch
from
fun
to
fast
and
then
to
freedom.
Mahindra
has
also
added
a
new
single
pedal
driving
mode
called ‘Lively’
which
allows
one
to
drive
around
using
just
the
throttle
pedal.
While
brilliant
for
those
pissed
off
at
traffic
jams,
this
mode
is
also
one
for
those
bereft
of
deriving
any
pleasure
from
driving
a
car.
The
Mahindra
XUV400’s
suspension
is
a
bit
on
the
stiffer
side.
The
steering
feels
quite
light
at
slower
speeds
and
it
weighs
up
quite
nicely
which
inspires
confidence
at
triple-digit
speeds.
This
along
with
the
low
centre
of
gravity
means
that
the
XUV400
is
quite
happy
to
be
pushed
into
a
corner
with
body
roll
being
negligible.
We
were
only
able
to
drive
the
new
Mahindra
XUV400
on
the
smooth
tarmac
at
the
carmaker’s
test
facility
in
Chennai.
So
actually
talking
about
how
the
new
EV
takes
on
India’s
rough
roads
is
something
that
will
have
to
wait
for
a
proper
test
drive.
The
Mahindra
XUV400
sports
disc
brakes
all
around.
The
brakes
offer
good
bite
and
are
quite
progressive
and
the
pedal
is
also
easy
to
operate
offering
minimal
travel.
The
regen
braking
system
on
the
Mahindra
XUV400
is
quite
nice
and
helps
bring
the
electric
SUV
to
a
quick
stop.
We
weren’t
able
to
test
Mahindra’s
range
claims
as
our
pre-production
unit
didn’t
offer
any
outputs
regarding
the
same.
We’ll
have
to
wait
for
a
full
test
to
report
back
on
a
real-world
figure
for
the
range.
However,
NVH
levels
of
the
XUV400
were
very
good,
though
tyre
noise
does
tend
to
creep
into
the
cabin
at
higher
speeds.
Thoughts
On
The
Mahindra
XUV400
–
A
Rather
Nice
Starting
Point
The
Mahindra
XUV400
sees
the
Mumbai-based
carmaker
return
to
try
and
wrest
back
control
of
the
Indian
electric
car
market
from
Tata
Motors.
The
all-new
XUV400
is
larger
and
more
powerful
than
its
Tata
rival
and
offers
a
higher
claimed
range.
These
features
along
with
the
fact
that
the
new
XUV400
will
be
a
new ‘Mahindra
SUV’
should
ensure
that
more
people
flock
to
EVs
when
it
arrives
in
January
2023.
As
for
us,
we
hope
to
drive
the
new
Mahindra
XUV400
in
the
real
world
soon
to
get
an
even
more
detailed
view
of
what
this
new
dawn
for
Mahindra
Electric
has
to
offer
to
the
world.
