Mahindra has announced that its electric vehicle line-up will get Google’s Gemini AI assistant by January 2027. “From 1st January 2027, Google Gemini will go live on all other cars, including the original BE 6. That’s the advantage of MAIA architecture,” said R Velusamy, president, Automotive Business, Mahindra and Mahindra, in an interview with Autocar India. Additionally, other software-defined features that debuted on the BE 6 Sporteq will roll out to its existing portfolio in phases from January 2027.
Which software-defined features will the existing line-up get?
The recently introduced BE 6 Sporteq gets Google Gemini from day one, and all upcoming models will also have this feature. Meanwhile, Mahindra’s existing line-up – the XEV 9e, XEV 9S and the older BE 6 – will receive it via an over-the-air (OTA) update by January 2027. Essentially, these vehicles will now get the BE 6 Sporteq’s ‘TEQ’ suite of features, and below is a list of them.
1. TEQ_Talk (Google Gemini)
Mahindra’s in-car MAIA assistant is now powered by Google Gemini, enabling conversational AI features. The brand says it uses 17 specialised AI agents to facilitate natural interactions and supports over 100 core functions and 48 applications, including navigation, entertainment, vehicle controls, general knowledge and more.
2. TEQ_Secure
This suite brings Secure 360 Pro, which basically lets you keep an eye on your car through its 360-degree camera system and dashcam. With Mahindra’s Me4U app, users can check live footage and recordings, activate audio relay and track their vehicle. There’s also a digital car key ecosystem across smartphones, smartwatches and NFC key cards. Additionally, cars with a passenger display also come equipped with a parental lock feature.
3. TEQ_Me
TEQ_Me brings the user profile with an auto-detection feature that instantly adjusts your vehicle settings, including seat and mirror position, climate control and infotainment preferences, head-up display and drive modes, according to the selected user profile.
4. TEQ_Drive
The TEQ_Drive suite brings several driving features to Mahindra electric SUVs. A custom mode allows users to select and individually fine-tune the drive, suspension and steering modes. There’s also a drift mode that allows “controlled drifting in suitable conditions” by disabling the vehicle’s ESP completely, which wasn’t possible before.
Moreover, users can now get additional range at zero percent charge with the Revive mode to reach the nearest charger. It essentially adds up to 13km of range, with the Revive SOS mode further adding up to 11km of range during emergencies. The latter can be used only five times in the vehicle’s lifetime. Lastly, Tribe Drive lets you track the locations of your friends and family who also own Mahindra electric SUVs on road trips.
5. TEQ_Play
This mainly covers in-car entertainment features such as gaming, with support for up to four Bluetooth-enabled controllers along with a karaoke mode. Meanwhile, users can privately stream in-car audio with compatible Bluetooth devices via the private audio feature. Additionally, the ‘GrooveMe Party’ feature syncs the vehicle’s interior and exterior lights with the music playing, which is a cool party trick.