Mahindra is not a household name in the U.S., but it's one of the largest automakers in India and a global player in the electric vehicle space. The company has been making EVs since 2010 and has a range of models for different segments and markets. But its latest concept, the Mahindra BE Rall-e, is something else entirely: a rally-inspired electric SUV that could shake up the market with its performance, design, and features.
The Mahindra BE Rall-e concept was unveiled at the 2023 Auto Expo in New Delhi, India, where it drew a lot of attention from the media and the public. The concept is based on the Mahindra XUV700, a midsize SUV that competes with the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento. But unlike the XUV700, which is powered by a conventional gasoline or diesel engine, the BE Rall-e concept is fully electric, with a dual-motor setup that delivers 400 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
The concept also features a rally-inspired design with a rugged body kit, large wheels, off-road tires, a roof rack, skid plates, and LED lights. The exterior is painted in a striking orange color, with black accents and decals. The interior is equally sporty, with bucket seats, a digital dashboard, a large touchscreen infotainment system, and a steering wheel with paddle shifters.
The Mahindra BE Rall-e concept is not just a show car, though. According to Mahindra, it's also a test bed for its future electric vehicles, which will use a modular platform called MESMA (Mahindra Electric Scalable Modular Architecture). This platform will allow Mahindra to offer different battery sizes, power outputs, and driving ranges for its EVs, depending on the customer's needs and preferences.
Mahindra claims that the BE Rall-e concept can achieve a range of over 300 miles on a single charge, thanks to its 100 kWh battery pack. It can also accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and reach a top speed of over 150 mph. The concept also supports fast charging, which can replenish 80% of the battery in just 30 minutes.