Mahindra XUV.e8: new exterior and interior details revealed in spy shots

Earlier this week, we brought you multiple spy shots of the Mahindra XUV.e8 EV SUV being tested with XUV700 body panels. Today, a new set of spy shots has surfaced online giving us a much better look at what to expect from Mahindra’s upcoming Harrier EV rival.

1. XUV.e8 will take on Harrier EV, Safari EV
2. Gets EV-specific exterior styling tweaks
3. Three dashboard-mounted screens will be offered

Mahindra XUV.e8 fresh exterior details

While the price announcement is more than a year away, the XUV.e8 test mule seen in these spy shots seems to have body panels and an interior design that look close to production, if not production-ready. While the entire bodyshell and glasshouse look similar to the XUV700, major styling changes can be seen upfront.

In the spy shots, the bodyshell, including the alloy wheel design, is fully covered but one can still make out that the production-spec XUV.e8 would have largely similar styling cues to the concept shown last year by Mahindra at its annual Independence Day event in the UK. The XUV.e8 gets a unique front fascia with a full-width LED light bar that extends vertically into the bumper at both corners.

The front grille will be all-new and completely sealed and will be flanked by an all-new headlamps. It continues to have flush door handles, but gets a new alloy wheel design. At the back, the design changes seem to be minimal, and the only addition over the standard XUV700’s looks would be a connected LED light bar and new rear bumper design. The XUV.e8 will also get unique copper-themed design highlights that made its debut in the XUV400 EV.

Mahindra XUV.e8 interior gets three dashboard-mounted screens

The big reveal in these spy shots is the interior, which has not been seen before. Like the exterior, the XUV.e8’s interior too seems almost production-ready. The flat-bottom steering wheel is all new, with a two-spoke design, similar to the recently launched Nexon facelift. While the steering boss looks gloss back, it may have an illuminated logo, like on the updated Nexon.

The dashboard design looks new, especially the top half which houses not one but three horizontally oriented screens, with the one behind the steering wheel serving as the digital driver's display, the one in the centre serving infotainment duties, and the third one for the passenger providing multiple details about the vehicle and more.

The AC vent design and positioning seem to be the same, but the panel below for controlling HVAC and other bits seems to be gloss back with touch-sensitive buttons. The centre console remains the same as the XUV700, and it also gets the traditional automatic gear knob, but for drive selector duties. There is another round knob behind it, which could control drive modes and other functions.

Mahindra XUV.e8 dimensions and expected power output

The XUV.e8 will measure 4,740mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,760mm in height, and will have a wheelbase of 2,762mm. That means it will be 45mm longer, 10mm wider and 5mm taller than the XUV700, while the wheelbase will be longer by just 7mm. Mahindra had previously confirmed that the XUV.e8 will come with an 80kWh battery and all-wheel drive tech, with two power outputs – 230hp and 350hp.

Mahindra XUV.e8 launch timeline

Mahindra has confirmed that the XUV.e8 (XUV700 EV) will go on sale by late 2024. This means it will launch more or less around the same time as its direct rivals from Tata Motors' stable – the Harrier EV and Safari EV. The SUV coupe version – XUV.e9 – will follow soon after.

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