Mahindra has launched the 6-seat option of the XEV 9S, and prices start at Rs 25.25 lakh (ex-showroom). According to the Indian automaker, the captain seats for the second row are expected to offer a superior experience. The XEV 9S with the 6-seat option is available with the Pack Two Above, Pack Three and Pack Three Above trim levels.
There’s no simpler way to compare one car’s performance to another than with a head-to-head quarter-mile race. Following the shootout between the newest crop of midsize SUVs, in this edition of Autocar India’s quarter-mile racing series, we’ve brought together three premium electric SUVs including the Tata Harrier EV, the Mahindra XEV 9e and the Vinfast VF7. Let’s find out which one here is the quickest down the drag strip.
| Model | Tata Harrier EV | Mahindra XEV 9e |
| Battery | 75kWh | 79kWh |
| Electric Motor setup | Dual Motor, AWD | Single Motor, RWD |
| Power | 313hp | 286hp |
| Torque | 504Nm | 380Nm |
| Weight | 2335kg | 2201kg |
Between these two homegrown EVs, the Harrier EV has an advantage for not only being more powerful, but it also has all-wheel drive as opposed to XEV 9e’s rear-wheel drive setup. Both SUVs are heavy-weights, but the Mahindra has an advantage for being 134kg lighter. On whose favour will the scales tip? Let’s find out.
The Harrier EV’s all-wheel drive system gives it a clear advantage in this race, giving it a comfortable win in Race 1 by a big margin of over seven tenths. Despite not being able to turn off traction control, the grip from the AWD system is enough for it to gap the Mahindra. Race 2 is a repeat, but the Mahindra does manage to close the gap, losing by half a second this time around.
Model | Tata Harrier EV | Mahindra XEV 9e |
Race 1 | 14.35 sec | 15.02 sec |
Race 2 | 14.26 sec | 14.92 sec |
| Model | Tata Harrier EV | Vinfast VF 7 |
| Battery | 75kWh | 70kWh |
| Electric Motor setup | Dual Motor, AWD | Dual Motor, AWD |
| Power | 313hp | 353hp |
| Torque | 504Nm | 500Nm |
| Weight | 2335kg | 2218kg |
After winning the home-grown battle, the Harrier EV is lined up against another similarly powered, similarly priced and AWD-equipped EV in the form of the Vietnamese Vinfast VF7. This time, however, the Harrier EV is on the back foot – it’s less powerful, weighs more and the advantage of all-wheel drive has been wiped away.
The Vinfast does allow you to turn traction control off, which results in a much better launch than the Harrier EV. In Race 1, both SUVs are neck-and-neck off the line, but the VF7 soon builds a lead and manages to maintain it all the way till the finish, crossing the line four tenths faster than the Tata. The Harrier EV does manage to narrow the gap in Race 2, but the advantage the VF7 gains at launch is hard for the Tata to overcome, and it loses out by 0.29sec.
Model | Tata Harrier EV | Vinfast VF7 |
Race 1 | 13.85 sec | 14.25 sec |
Race 2 | 13.94 sec | 14.23 sec |
Before we conduct our performance tests, we check and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendation and ensure the car has a full tank of fuel. The car is then tested in a controlled environment and the data is collected via highly accurate GPS-based timing equipment.
With inputs from Saptarshi Mondal
It took Skoda three and a half years to bring the first facelift of the Slavia to market. However, with this mid-cycle update, the Czech carmaker has introduced minor cosmetic tweaks and added a few new features to its midsize sedan. Furthermore, the Skoda Slavia facelift has hit showrooms ahead of the updated Volkswagen Virtus. The Slavia’s competition also includes the Honda City and Hyundai Verna. Without further ado, here are some of the differences and similarities between the old and new Skoda Slavia.
The front of the Skoda Slavia now gets a new bumper with a shiny piece of trim running its full width and small LED fog lamps. The design of the grille hasn’t changed but its chrome surround has been removed in favour of two different black bars. While the shape of the headlamp housing is the same as before, the internals have been revised – the daytime running signatures are different too.
Viewed from the side, the new Slavia carries forward the same silhouette and overall proportions as its predecessor. Details such as the beltline, chrome lining along the windowline, and the ‘Skoda’ plaque above the front fenders remain. However, what has changed is the design of the 16-inch alloy wheels, which now look more bold and sport a two-tone finish.
Similar to the front, the lights at the back of the new Slavia feature the same housing as the old model. However, Skoda has tweaked the internal LED elements of the tail-lamps. Compared to the old Slavia that had a prominent ‘SKODA’ lettering across its bootlid, the new model features a piece of plastic trim with the brand name spelled on it. The rear bumper hasn’t been revised in any significant way, though. However, the Slavia does come in two new colours: Arctic Silver and Cappuccino Beige.
Where the top-spec of the old model offered a beige & black dual-tone leatherette seats, the new Slavia gets fully beige seats. The design of these seats don’t appear to have changed with this facelift, but they do get a new pattern now.
Shifting focus to the dashboard, the new Skoda Slavia is available with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster – the old model’s unit maxed out at 8 inches. The infotainment screen has also grown larger by the slightest of margins – from 10 inches to 10.1 inches. The new infotainment system also offers a built-in AI assistant powered by Google Cloud, while the feed from the Slavia’s new 360-degree camera is also displayed on this screen. Finally, the outer seats at the back are now available with a massaging function.
Features such as a cooled glovebox, powered & ventilated front seats, an electric sunroof, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, automatic climate control, LED ambient lighting, 6 airbags, electronic stability control, hill-hold control and a tyre-pressure monitoring system are offered with both models.
The new Skoda Slavia gets the same engine options as its predecessor. The 1.0-litre direct injection three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine makes 115hp and 178Nm, whilst the 1.5-litre direct injection four-cylinder turbo-petrol mill outputs 150hp and 250Nm. While the smaller motor gets a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, it can now be had with an 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox. Like before, the larger engine is only available with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The old Skoda Slavia has been available in Classic, Signature, Sportline, Prestige and Monte Carlo trims. However, there’s now a new Classic+ option as well – slotted between Classic and Signature trims.
Also read
6 updates Mahindra BE 6 Sporteq gets over its predecessor
All you need to know about the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler
The Skoda Slavia facelift comes with a few design tweaks, a new trim level and a couple of new convenience features. Skoda’s midsize sedan continues to compete against the VW Virtus, Honda City and Hyundai Verna. The Slavia facelift continues to be offered with the same 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI direct injection turbo-petrol engines, with the former available with a 6-speed manual or a new 8-speed automatic transmission. On the other hand, the larger four-cylinder engine is only offered with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Also see
Kia India dealer partner Incheon Kia has set a new national record for the most electric cars of a single model delivered in a single day. 150 units of the recently launched Syros EV were handed over to customers by Incheon Kia in Kochi on August 17.
Coinciding with Malayalam New Year, Incheon Kia’s mega-delivery feat was certified by the India Book of Records. This is an entirely new record, as India Book of Records does not have any prior records for maximum single-model EVs delivered in a single day. The 150 cars formed the first batch of Kia Syros EVs delivered to customers in Kochi.
Following the deliveries, the Syros EVs were flagged off individually by senior Kia India executives, including MD and CEO Gwanggu Lee (pictured). Incheon Kia said it has received more than 650 bookings for the Syros EV, with 150 of those cars now delivered. The dealer is also closing on 50,000 sales since its inception seven years ago, with 10,000 sales projected for this year alone.
Launched on July 23, the Syros EV is Kia’s second mass-market electric model for the Indian market. The compact SUV is offered with 42kWh and 51.4kWh battery options, both of which are wired up to a 255Nm front-mounted motor producing 135hp and 171hp, respectively. In terms of MIDC-claimed range, the 42kWh battery manages 443km, while the 51.4kWh pack is rated at 526km. Pricing for the Syros EV starts at Rs 13.5 lakh and top off at Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom), and it rivals the Tata Nexon EV and Mahindra XUV 3XO.
MG India is gearing up to unveil its upcoming SUV, the Hector Tomahawk, on August 26, 2026. It will be the first MG model in the country to be based on the new ADAPT architecture, which supports both electric and hybrid powertrains. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming MG Hector Tomahawk ahead of its debut.
MG will debut the Hector Tomahawk in its all-electric avatar on August 26, followed by a PHEV version in the coming months.
Like other MG models, the Hector Tomahawk is expected to be sold at a competitive price. The EV version could be priced between Rs 18-25 lakh, serving as an alternative to the Kia Carens Clavis EV and Mahindra XEV 9S, while the PHEV version is expected to be priced between Rs 20-30 lakh, as a rival to the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari.
Although the upcoming MG Hector Tomahawk carries the ‘Hector’ name, it is not related to the existing MG Hector. The Hector Tomahawk EV is based on the Wuling Starlight 560 SUV and uses the company’s new ADAPT platform, which supports EVs as well as hybrid powertrains, including range-extender EVs, plug-in hybrids, and strong hybrids. In contrast, the existing MG Hector is based on the Baojun 530 SUV, which is also sold as the Chevrolet Captiva in international markets.
The MG Hector Tomahawk’s specifications have not been revealed yet, but it is expected to share its mechanical components with the Wuling Starlight 560 SUV, on which it is based. Hence, the Hector Tomahawk EV is expected to have a 69.2kWh battery paired with a 201hp electric motor mounted on the front axle. The setup is claimed to deliver a 530km range under the CLTC testing cycle, which could translate to a real-world range of around 450-500km.
The Hector Tomahawk PHEV is expected to use a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a 20.5kWh battery. This setup produces a combined output of 195hp and 230Nm on the Wuling Starlight 560, with an electric-only CLTC range of 125km. With the petrol engine included, the total range exceeds 1,000km.
Numerous spy shots and teaser videos have given us a glimpse of the MG Hector Tomahawk’s design, which will closely resemble the Wuling Starlight 560. At the front, it will feature rectangular projector LED headlights with LED DRL strips above and below them, connected by a gloss-black panel with illuminated elements. The EV will get a blanked-off grille, while the PHEV could feature air inlets. The SUV will also get black wheel-arch cladding and 18-inch wheels. At the rear, wraparound LED taillights will mirror the design of the front DRLs. The India-spec model will, however, get new alloy wheels, some decals on the C-pillar and new logos.
Inside, the Tomahawk is expected to have a minimalist dashboard with a free-standing 8.8-inch digital driver’s display, a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 2-spoke steering wheel. It is unlikely to get physical controls for the air-conditioning. The SUV will offer seven seats with leatherette upholstery. Expected features include a panoramic sunroof, powered and ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger, six airbags as standard, an electronic parking brake, a rear parking camera with sensors and ADAS.
Mahindra launched the 2026 BE 6 recently, adding the ‘Sporteq’ moniker and pricing it from Rs 19.45 lakh to Rs 26.95 lakh (ex-showroom). Along with a new name, Mahindra has also introduced some updates to the midsize electric SUV to keep it modern in the segment. Here’s a detailed list of these updates:
The 2026 Mahindra BE 6 Sporteq gets a new 70kWh battery pack in addition to the previously available 59kWh and 79kWh batteries. This new 70kWh battery offers an ARAI-claimed range of 651km and a rear-axle-mounted (RWD) electric motor that produces 241hp and 360Nm. It supports a 7.2kW AC, a 11.2kW AC and a 160kW DC charger. The DC fast charger recharges the battery pack from 20-80 percent in a claimed 20 minutes.
Mahindra is offering the 70kWh battery with the Three and Three+ trims, priced at Rs 22.95 lakh and Rs 23.95 lakh, respectively (ex-showroom).
Along with a new battery, Mahindra is also offering the BE 6 with a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) scheme, which is also a first for the brand. However, the BaaS scheme is offered only with the 59kWh battery pack available in the One and Two trims. The battery rental scheme essentially lowers the BE 6’s initial price by Rs 8 lakh, but requires a monthly subscription fee for the battery. Here are the details:
Notes: BaaS scheme requires a minimum monthly payment of Rs 6,750, calculated assuming usage of 60km per day and an 8-year battery loan, as per Mahindra’s terms and conditions. The price difference calculated above is on the initial price and does not include the BaaS scheme’s battery subscription charges.
The 2026 update also brought a major redesign to the BE 6’s dashboard, now offered with an additional 12.30-inch screen for the front passenger, in addition to the similarly sized digital driver’s display and touchscreen infotainment system. The new front passenger display also removed the halo-like design element connecting the dashboard to the centre console, allowing the addition of two cupholders on the centre console, something that was sorely missing on the older model.
Mahindra is offering a triple-screen setup on all trims of the BE 6 Sporteq except the base-spec One and the sportier Formula E editions.
With the 2026 update, Mahindra has also rejigged the exterior design of the Formula E edition. Unlike the previous model, which had a different fascia from the standard model with circular-shaped LED headlights and a revised bumper, the 2026 Formula E Freedom edition gets the same design as the standard BE 6 Sporteq, with some Formula E badges and FIA decals. Moreover, the Formula E edition is only offered with the older model’s dual-screen dashboard and a halo design element for a sporty appeal.
Mahindra is offering the 2026 Formula E edition at the Three and Four trim levels, priced at Rs 24.45 lakh and Rs 26.95 lakh, respectively (ex-showroom).
The 2026 Mahindra BE 6 Sporteq is being offered with fresh exterior and interior colour options. It is available in a new ‘Ruby Red’ exterior theme and new Racing Tan and Black interior hues for the Two, Three, Three+ and Four trims. The base-spec One is offered with the same Sage Green and Grey theme as before. A Sporteq Launch Edition, based on the fully loaded Four trim, is also available, which offers a new Graphite Storm exterior paint and Racing Tan interior theme.
While the 2026 BE 6 Formula E edition is offered with a new Rosso Impulso exterior hue, the all-black interior with orange elements for contrast is the same as the outgoing model.
Another addition to the BE 6 Sporteq is the new ‘TEQ’ suite, which Mahindra says is designed to make the vehicle more intuitive, engaging, secure and responsive to individual customer needs. At its core is a Gemini-based AI conversation assistant that allows natural voice interactions for functions such as vehicle controls, navigation and music. The suite also introduces a Karaoke mode, along with support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Audio.
The TEQ suite also adds several performance and convenience features, including Custom Drive Mode, Drift Mode and an acceleration boost mode for the Formula E Freedom Edition, which enables a claimed 0-100 kph time of 6.44 seconds. It also includes Revive and Revive SOS, which can provide additional range even after the battery has run out. Another new feature is ‘TEQ_xting’, which lets owners display personalised messages on the vehicle’s tailgate.
The Mahindra BE 6 Sporteq is priced from Rs 19.45 lakh to Rs 26.95 lakh (ex-showroom), and it rivals the Hyundai Creta Electric, Tata Sierra EV, Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, Maruti Suzuki e Vitara and Toyota Ebella.
Prices are ex-showroom, India, and do not include a wall charger or its installation cost.
Mahindra wrapped up the 2025-26 Formula E season on a high note, securing a double podium finish at the London E-Prix finale with Nyck de Vries P2 and Edoardo Mortara P3. This helped the Indian team clinch third place in the teams’ championship, matching its strongest Formula E result.
Pascal Wehrlein, meanwhile, secured his second Formula E title despite not scoring any points in the finale.
Heading into the London E-Prix double-header, Wehrlein stood third overall behind Andretti’s Jake Dennis and Jaguar’s Mitch Evans. Victory in Race 1 handed him the overall lead, though, five points ahead of Dennis.
Wehrlein remained in the top five for the majority of the finale race, but both Dennis and Evans made impressive recoveries to keep the title battle alive in the closing laps. Evans used his Attack Mode to pass Antonio Felix da Costa and Wehrlein, moving up to fourth place. Da Costa then squeezed Wehrlein on Lap 27, dropping the latter down to P12.
Dennis, meanwhile, battled his way through the field after starting P16 on the grid. Towards the end of the race, Dennis and Wehrlein were running P9 and P10, respectively. The pair ran side-by-side on Lap 32, but Wehrlein tagged the back of Joel Eriksson, who spun and collected both Wehrlein and Dennis. The incident forced Eriksson to retire, while Dennis had to pit for a tyre change and finished down in P18.
Wehrlein was handed a three-place grid penalty for the incident, which he will serve at the Jeddah E-Prix at the start of next season. He nursed his car to P14 but was still able to clinch his second Formula E title, defeating Dennis by five points. “Today was intense. A lot of games being played, far beyond the line, but it is what it is,” Wehrlein said after the race.
“[We] still kept our head cool and brought it home. So, yeah, a special thanks to my team, to everyone involved in that project. We are the most successful manufacturer in this Gen3 era, and I couldn’t be happier and more proud of the team.”
Evans lost out on the title, but his P4 result helped Jaguar win the teams’ championship, 17 points ahead of Porsche.
Mahindra Racing locked out the front row for the finale, with de Vries taking pole position ahead of Mortara. Both drivers made a clean getaway at the start and held their positions. The pair remained in control at the front for most of the race, swapping positions among themselves through the various Attack Mode activations.
But with just two laps to go, Taylor Barnard’s late Attack Mode activation saw him muscle past both Mortara and de Vries to take a surprise win. The DS Penske driver becomes the youngest-ever Formula E race winner at 22 years and 76 days old.
De Vries and Mortara had to settle for P2 and P3, but a strong 42-point haul from London was enough for Mahindra to finish third in the teams’ championship, defeating the likes of Andretti, Citroen and Nissan.
Over the course of the season, the Indian team scored a total of 252 points, two wins, five further podiums and five pole positions. “To finish the season with our first front-row lockout, both cars on the podium and third in the Teams’ World Championship says a great deal about the level this team has reached,” said Mahindra Racing team principal and CEO Frederic Bertrand.
“Last season, we finished fourth with 186 points. This season, we finished third with 252, alongside two wins, five pole positions and seven podiums. The numbers show the progress, but they come from the standards, ownership and consistency across the whole organisation, from the team at the circuit to everyone in Banbury, our colleagues in India and our partners. Mahindra took the first pole of the Gen3 era and the last. We can be proud of the way we have closed this chapter, and now our responsibility is to carry this level of work into Gen4.”
Pos | Driver | Team |
1 | Taylor Barnard | DS Penske |
2 | Nyck de Vries | Mahindra Racing |
3 | Edoardo Mortara | Mahindra Racing |
4 | Mitch Evans | Jaguar Racing |
5 | Sebastien Buemi | Envision Racing |
6 | Nick Cassidy | Citroen Racing |
7 | Jean-Eric Vergne | Citroen Racing |
8 | Josep Maria Marti | Cupra Kiro |
9 | Oliver Rowland | Nissan |
10 | Norman Nato | Nissan |
11 | Max Guenther | DS Penske |
12 | Nico Mueller | Porsche |
13 | Felipe Drugovich | Andretti |
14 | Pascal Wehrlein | Porsche |
15 | Antonio Felix da Costa | Jaguar |
16 | Dan Ticktum | Cupra Kiro |
17 | Zane Maloney | Lola Yamaha ABT |
18 | Jake Dennis | Andretti |
NC | Joel Eriksson | Envision Racing |
NC | Lucas di Grassi | Lola Yamaha ABT |
The Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler will join the pickup truck segment upon its launch sometime before April 2027. Based on the Scorpio N SUV’s ladder-frame platform, Mahindra’s new pickup truck will simply carry the ‘Lifestyler’ moniker in markets abroad. While the automaker is yet fully disclose most of this car’s details, it has confirmed a starting price of under Rs 19.79 lakh (ex-showroom). So, if you’re awaiting the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler, here are some important points to keep in mind.
An upright and boxy silhouette, a squared-off front fascia, rugged-looking body cladding, deep wheel wells and of course, a sizeable bed – the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler has all basic ‘pickup truck’ design aspects covered. Backing its ‘lifestyler’ suffix visually are three avatars as shown during the model’s reveal. There’s the Valley Edition that’s finished in Artemis Grey, Reef Edition with an Aquareef colour, and a Trail Edition that sports the so-called Sahara Beige colour scheme. Each of these get their own unique exterior decals and badging.
While there are some visual cues that this is the Scorpio N’s platform sibling (such as the ‘Scorpio’ badging at the top of the front grille), the Lifestyler pickup has several design cues that are unique to it. One of these is the prominent Double Cab body and a short bed at the back, which appears to be shorter than the one found on the Hilux. The headlamps are sleeker and more intricately styled units with a different LED DRL pattern. Depending on the avatar chosen, the chunky front bumper of the Scorpio Lifestyler can be had with an integrated bullbar, whilst vertically aligned fog lamps are available too.
The top portion of the boxy-looking grille is finished in black and gets orange reflector elements, which match the orange tow hooks placed either side of a bash plate. The lower portion of the grille features large squares arranged in a mesh pattern. This design is mirrored on the rear bumper, which also features static reflectors on the sides and an integrated footstep that’s lit for better visibility in the dark. There are large C-shaped DRLs, LED tail-lamps, plus ‘Mahindra’ and ‘Lifestyler’ branding on the tailgate. The Scorpio Lifestyler also gets roof rails and side steps, and a kinked rear windowline.
The squircle steering of the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler looks busy with its assortment of physical buttons and scroll wheels. Placed behind this on the dashboard is a fully digital instrument cluster with a multi-information section in the centre. In the middle of the dash is a large portrait-oriented touchscreen, flanked by vertically arranged central air-con vents. Placed below this screen are some physical switchgear, with the centre pedestal home to a few more important controls and cupholders.
The upright design of the dashboard with its flat top, along with the large door handles and pillar-integrated grab handles, add to the rugged appeal of this interior. The Reef Edition gets a blue & black dual-tone interior with white stitching, while the Valley Edition features a brown & black theme with brown and white stitching. As for the Trail Edition, its cabin sports contrasting yellow stitching. The interior of the Scorpio Lifestyler also includes leatherette and satin silver trim, plus some chrome detailing.
Some of the kit that the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler is expected to offer include dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, powered front seats, a powered sunroof, push-button start, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, drive/terrain modes, a premium audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. On the safety front, there will be multiple airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, surround-view cameras and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.
Powering the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler are likely to be a choice of two engine options: a mHawk 2.2-litre diesel and an mStallion 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine, which are the same units found under the bonnet of the Scorpio N SUV. The exact output of these powerplants will be revealed closer to the launch of this pickup. Meanwhile, transmission choices could include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. With a starting price of under Rs 19.79 lakh (ex-showroom), the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler will find itself positioned closer to the Isuzu D-Max rather the more expensive Toyota Hilux.
Also read
What to expect from Skoda Slavia facelift ahead of launch tomorrow?
