Mahindra has introduced a new drive mode on the XEV 9S electric SUV in response to media feedback regarding suspension settings. We at Autocar India had highlighted the softness of the Pack Three trim’s adaptive suspension in our first drive review, observing “on gently undulating tarmac, a constant vertical movement becomes quite apparent and can get disconcerting as speeds rise. The firmer damping in Race mode reduces this and better controls this vertical body movement”.
- Mahindra XEV 9S gets new ‘Custom’ drive mode
- New mode allows for individual settings for powertrain, steering, suspension
Mahindra has made amends with a new ‘Custom’ drive mode that allows individual settings for the powertrain, steering, suspension and climate system. In effect, drivers have the option to mix-and-match settings for the different parameters. For instance, it is now possible to keep the powertrain and steering in relaxed Comfort mode with the suspension in firmer Race mode.
The new Custom mode is in addition to the Default, Everyday, Range and Race modes that were part of the package on the pre-production test cars that we reviewed. Do note that this update is only on the XEV 9S Pack Three trim versions that use adaptive dampers and not on the Pack One and Pack Two that use passive damping.
The new drive mode is a factory inclusion on the production model, customer deliveries for which commenced on January 26. We will drive the production-spec XEV 9S in the coming days and update the review with our findings.
