At its annual Independence Day extravaganza, Mahindra Auto today debuted its all-new platform called NU_IQ. This new monocoque platform is completely modular and will underpin a host of SUVs in the mid-segment, both above and below the 4-metre mark.
- 4 Vision SUV concepts, underpinned by NU_IQ, revealed today
- First production-spec model to launch in 2027
- Mahindra is aiming for 5-star crash safety rating with these SUVs
NU_IQ is a modular, monocoque platform built to underpin global models
While ladder frame platforms have been at the core of the Mahindra brand, monocoque-based vehicles are central to the future of passenger mobility, given their weight-saving potential and, thus, lower emissions. To that effect, Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Mahindra Automotive division, speaking at the unveiling, said that the new platform is a step towards the future as well as global markets, for which the plan is to disrupt the mainstream SUV segment with premium features.
Multiple top hats possible, but Mahindra will only focus on SUVs
While the new platform can spawn multiple top hats, they will all be SUVs, says Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director, Mahindra Group, as the brand does not want to stray from its core offerings and image. The platform has been designed with multi-fuel capabilities in mind and will have petrol, diesel, as well as electric powertrains. Details have not been released, but Mahindra has stated that the battery packs from the BE and XEV lineup would find their way to the electric versions of the NU_IQ-based SUVs.
NU_IQ will offer AWD tech with both ICE and EV powertrains
Another key trait for Mahindra is the presence of all-wheel drive, and though providing the same for both ICE and EV powertrains with the same platform requires effort, Velusamy R, Mahindra Group President, Automotive Technology and Product Development, told Autocar India that “they already have solutions in place to offer AWD on both ICE and EV powertrains”. Notably, the brand also says that both ICE and EV SUVs will have a full flat floor, leading to better passenger comfort.
The new platform will also bring in a lot of new tech and features like a 5-link rear suspension with active dampers, a variable ratio steering rack and also a new domain architecture dubbed NU_UX, the UI design of which is clean, minimalist and with harmonised colours, evident in a video briefly shared.
Will achieve a 5-star NCAP crash rating globally
As with all its new offerings, Mahindra is confident that its new SUVs will achieve a high safety rating, and it says the NU_IQ-based SUVs will achieve a 5-star BNCAP, ANCAP, as well as a EURO NCAP rating too.
NU_IQ-based SUVs likely to expand each of Mahindra’s model brands
The four concepts unveiled today will all make it to production, and Pratap Bose, Chief Design Officer, Mahindra, said, “All the concepts are at least 80 percent close to what the production models will look like.” And while the company did not divulge the final names of each concept, Vision X, Vision S, Vision T, Vision SXT, the alphabet is a clue as to the final moniker.
New Mahindra Vision concepts: T (left), SXT (back), X (front) and S (right).
Mahindra had earlier stated that rather than adding more nameplates, it intends to expand each model into its own sub-brand, akin to JLR’s House of Brands concept. It intends to expand the portfolio around its five brands: Thar, Bolero, Scorpio, XUV and BE. Thus, Vision S is likely to sit in the Scorpio family, Vision X would be an XUV member, while the Vision T would be a Thar. Each of these concepts stylistically fits into the respective nameplates and also carries small traits like the pillar-mounted handle on the rear doors of the Vision T, identical to the Thar Roxx.
Development of the models is all underway, and the first model, expected to be the Vision S, will arrive in 2027, as per Mahindra.
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