Mahindra BE 6 Real World Range, India Road Test Review

The BE 6 is simply the most outlandish car that we have seen on Indian roads and pretty much the wildest Mahindra yet. It was not something we were expecting since being shown the concept, we thought it would be watered down as usual but it looks life as if Mahindra removed the concept tag and put it in the showrooms. However, after spending some time with the car, we discovered more about the BE 6 and here lies our review of the same. Read on.

How does it look?

The BE 6 is much bigger than you think as the rakish lines hide its size well. At more than 4.3m it is larger than some of its rivals while the width plus the wheelbase is more than the XUV700! That's due to the born electric architecture which squeezes in more space. However, the best part of the BE 6 is of course the crazy design, It looks out of the world, a bit radical and over the top maybe but we like the extroverted design of the car. The front-end has sharp lines but the large hood scoop, mean headlamps and the BE logo all make it look like some concept.

At night, the DRLs add further presence while the side gets flush door handles while it is not a riot of cuts or creases here. The window line drops sharply for a coue SUV effect and the rear too has the same LED tail-lamps while the twin spoilers add more drama. It gets attention similar to supercars and that's a key part of its appeal. The wheels are aero inspired but are perfectly sized as well.

What about the interiors?

Even the key of the BE 6 is also radical and unlike anything else and we like the finish too. While the doors open 90 degrees, the low roofline, raised floor makes entry and exit slightly difficult for taller drivers. Once inside though and again it's futuristic and everything from the normal design rulebook has been ripped out. The cabin feels like a cockpit and with obvious aeronautical influences being placed everywhere. The key clings onto the magnetic key holder as you grip the two spoke steering wheel while looking over to find aircraft like switches upfront.

The cabin isn't having the usual materials but the green finish to the dash is nice while the gloss black elements are prone to scratches. There are two screens joined and the main central touchscreen works very well and despite being loaded with features, it is fairly easy to use. However, some design elements have been a bit too extreme like the console partition which could have been replaced by another cup holder or the race car strap door mechanism which makes opening the door a bit tricky.

Still, it feels futuristic and the car is also pretty practical with a large frunk/boot and big door pockets. The front seats are fine but more support would have been great while the rear seats are pretty comfortable but the low roof/black interior and the tight windowline makes this a bit cramped at the back for tall passengers. It is also a four seater due to the width and headroom is an issue for tall folks although the seat itself is pretty comfy.

What about features?

The BE 6 gets a lot of features but we will get to our favourite ones which start with the fabulous 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with various sound scapes and modes which is actually better than some luxury cars. Then the touchscreen while being complex is fairly easy to use and you get the hang of it. The 360 degree camera is also superb while basics are covered like dual-zone climate control, ventilated seats and more.

I like the pattern lighting on the sunroof and even used features like the remote parking to get out of a narrow parking spot. While features like the Groove me might be gimmicky but they are fun even if I used it only once. That said, getting to some functions is a bit complex and the drive mode selection should have been easier too. There is also a selfie camera which monitors you and there is more.

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What about the driving experience?

I was more keen on this and here we had the 79kwh battery pack with the full 286hp and 380Nm via a single motor. Visibility is good and refinement is excellent with no noise filtering through, The low speed ride is a bit firm but the 220mm ground clearance means all kinds of roads are of no issue. Acceleration is effortless and Range is the best mode to drive in the city since there is enough power and Race is only meant for occasional fun. With the boost function, the BE6 is even more rapid and very quick with the wild acceleration you want from an EV.

The acceleration was addictive and what is more surprising was the handling balance. The semi adaptive dampers alter the stiffness and they work very well with enough balance as well as lack of roll when pushed hard. The steering is light but is direct and it is the most fun Mahindra yet while being a bit more stiffer than the comfort oriented XEV. The other things I liked uncluded the toughness that it has and the relatively small turning circle plus the ease of use- it feels a lot smaller than it actually is. It also lays down the power and does not have wheelspin which is also showing how well tuned it is. In terms of range we got 460/470km while you can stretch to near 500km which is more than enough.

Is it worth the price?

The BE 6 certainly is the most aggressive looking and the most ambitious product from Mahindra but it succeeds in many ways.The range, driving experience, features and the overall appeal means it is worth the Rs 27 lakh price. However, it clearly lacks space at the back which is one drawback and hence, it is meant for those who want a fun, stylish and a fast EV while also being something that stands out.

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