It’s already known that Mahindra is working on an electric derivative of the XUV700 SUV – the same was previewed in concept form as the XUV.e8 in August last year. Now, a leaked design patent has previewed the styling of the production-spec XUV.e8, which suggests it is not going to stray far away from the concept. Let’s take a closer look.
Mahindra XUV.e8: what does the design patent reveal?
The leaked patent image reveals that almost all body panels on the production-spec XUV.e8 will be identical to that of the concept and, thereby, quite similar to the current XUV700 as well. The only thing that’s missing from the concept is the intricate paint job.
What’ll be unique to this EV is an all-new fascia with a full-width LED light bar headlining the nose and also dropping down vertically into the bumper. As is typical with EVs, it will have a completely sealed-off grille, with new triangular headlamps positioned in the bumper itself. In profile, it’s quite similar to the XUV700 with flush door handles, similar character lines and an identical glasshouse, though it will get new aero-optimised wheels. And while the rear is not visible here, the XUV.e8 concept carried over the design of the regular XUV700, and so can be expected of the production-spec model as well.
What’s also evident in this image is a copper highlight underlining the glasshouse, the headlamp surrounds, on the bumper inserts and, of course, the twin peak Mahindra logo. The copper highlight is going to be a signature element on Mahindra’s upcoming EVs, as is the case with the already-on-sale XUV400.
This patent image also suggests that the remainder of the carmaker’s upcoming EVs – the XUV.e9 and the BE range – will also not be too far off from their respective concepts. In fact, that’s something we also noted on the BE.05 when it was spied testing for the first time on our roads recently.
Mahindra XUV.e8: what else do we know?
Although the XUV.e8 is conceptually quite similar to the XUV700 with a similar profile and three rows of seats, it will be based on Mahindra’s born-electric INGLO skateboard platform. The XUV.e8 will measure 4,740mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,760mm in height, and will have a wheelbase of 2,762mm. That means it will be 45mm longer, 10mm wider and 5mm taller than the XUV700, while the wheelbase will be longer by just 7mm.
Mahindra has previously confirmed that the XUV.e8 will come with an all-wheel drive system and the battery pack will range up to 80kWh. Power outputs will range between 230hp to upwards of 350hp. The XUV.e8 will be the first of upcoming Mahindra EVs to make it to production, and it will be hitting the market by December 2024.