Mahindra unveils four SUV concepts

Indian auto giant Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled four all-new production-bound compact SUV concepts based on a next-generation modular monocoque architecture dubbed ‘NU_IQ’.

Revealed in Mumbai on Friday, all four models are intended as soft-roaders as opposed to hard-core 4x4s like the Scorpio SUV and the original Pik-UP – which is no longer offered here.

The architecture is not only adjustable in size, but also capable of accepting internal combustion, hybrid and battery-electric powertrains, as well as front- and all-wheel drive configurations.

Keen to make as bigger impression as possible, Mahindra has hinted IQ_NU was benchmarked against premium platforms from BMW and Audi.

This new wave of SUVs, along with the next-gen Pik-Up ute, will underpin a concerted Mahindra expansion into both right- and left-hand drive export markets, with Australia primed to be among them given our preference for utes and SUVs.

While Mahindra execs spoke about penetrating market “white spaces” with the new concepts, they are all clearly linked with existing Mahindra model lines, specifically the hard-core 4x4 Thar, five-door Thar Roxx (T, SXT), XUV3XO (X) and Scorpio (S).

Indian media reports the production-spec T and/or SXT will slot between the existing XUV3XO and XUV700 SUVs and could be called the Thar Sport.

The Vision.S is meantime being presented as a smaller, urban-friendly spin-off of the Scorpio, or as a potential replacement for an SUV called the Bolero that’s not sold in Australia.

The Vision.X could, in turn, be a direct replacement for the XUV3XO; while it may have only just launched in Australia, the XUV3XO is a facelift of a model that’s been around in India since 2019 known as the XUV300.

“The four concepts we are showcasing here offer a bold preview of what’s to come,” Mahindra & Mahindra automotive boss Nalinikanth Gollagunta said.

“They usher in a new no-compromise era of mobility and give freedom a new meaning.”

NU_IQ caters for overall lengths of 3990mm to 4320mm, and Mahindra claims it offers class-leading cabin space.

The wheelbase is quoted at a constant 2665mm to ensure battery packs fit in the electric versions, meaning the differing lengths will come down to the front (745-850mm) and rear (580-805mm) overhangs.

Other features of NU_IQ highlighted by Mahindra include the highest seating position in-class, a flat floor for ICE as well as EV models, a new-generation operation system dubbed NU_UX, five-link independent rear suspension, ‘Davinci’ adaptive shock absorbers and variable ratio steering.

Inside, Mahindra has promised to bring back more buttons for basic operations, alongside the now requisite digital screens. Luggage capacity was quoted at up to 644 litres behind the rear seats to the roof or 450 litres to the top of the pew.

While the production models are yet to be explicitly confirmed for Australia, there’s no doubt they’ve been pencilled in for us since computer renderings of the concepts ripping around the streets of the world, including Sydney, featured as part of their debut.

Mahindra also guaranteed the NU_IQ Models would meet five-star ANCAP, as well as G-NCAP and E-NCAP safety criteria.

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