For the recently unveiled four concept vehicles – Vision.S, Vision.T, Vision.SXT and Vision.X – based on multi-energy NU_IQ platform, Mahindra & Mahindra has developed a unique technology to accommodate multiple powertrains including electric.
Seeking clarification on how the company developed the unique platform, R Velusamy, President – Automotive Business (Designate), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Managing Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd, said, designing the NU_IQ platform to support both ICE and electric powertrains brought its own set of challenges.
Elaborating the challenges, he said, when the engineers began shaping the NU_IN platform, they quickly realised that one size doesn’t fit all. Larger SUVs—above 4.7 metres and weighing nearly two tonne—demand rear-wheel drive layouts, with the motor, wiring, and cooling neatly packaged at the back. But in the compact SUV space—around 4.3 metres and 1.5 tonne—the rules are different. Here, “front-wheel drive works naturally, delivering improved performance without the need for bulky rear-mounted motors. The compact SUV space, however, offered a clever opportunity,” Velusamy said.
This insight led to a breakthrough; while big SUVs require separate ICE and EV platforms, compact SUVs could support a common multi-energy design. In models around 4.3 metres, with shorter rear overhangs, the front compartment could house either an ICE or an electric motor. To make it work, the engineers stretched the wheelbase to 2,665 mm, enabling a flat floor and a battery pack large enough for practical range.
By carefully designing the bonnet, ground clearance, and passenger space, the company created a flexible structure that could accommodate both, while still ensuring comfort and performance. The raised ground clearance created a roomy second row with 940 mm legroom, solving the cramped feel many compact SUVs suffer from.
The BIW
According to Velusamy, the core of the new NU_IQ platform is a bold vision: to create a family of world-class compact SUVs that don’t just follow the market but reshape it. The idea was simple yet ambitious—deliver disruptive products built on the solid foundations of performance, safety, and design, while capturing untapped white spaces in the SUV segment.
The design process began with a clear priority: comfort should feel premium, never compromised. Engineers wanted passengers to experience the SUV like a “business-class cabin” rather than economy. This thinking translated into a commanding seating position, inspired by Velusamy’s childhood memory of looking at the world from a “bird’s eye view,” resting on his grandfather’s shoulders. Set at 1,563 mm, it, according to him, “perfectly matches the average Indian height, offering confidence from behind the wheel. The second row, often overlooked in compact SUVs, was given special attention, with 937 mm of legroom—unmatched in its class. The enhanced wheelbase balanced generous cabin space, crash safety, and a larger luggage area, while a flat floor removed the transmission tunnel, opening up even more room for passengers,” he said.
Of course, this came with its own set of challenges, he said. A longer wheelbase, raised floor, and heavy battery could push the centre of gravity higher, risking ride comfort. As comfort alone wasn’t enough for him, he focused on ride and handling that also needed to meet global benchmarks. The answer lay in engineering - an advanced suspension paired with specially developed dampers to keep the vehicle planted and comfortable, no matter the terrain. Mahindra engineers broke new ground by introducing the world’s first five-link suspension in a compact SUV, a feature usually reserved for premium cars. Co-developed over three years with suppliers, this system works hand-in-hand with advanced ‘Da Vinci’ damper technology – for better body control and better ride plushness, to deliver stability, cornering control, and next-level ride comfort—even on the toughest Indian roads. This adaptability laid the foundation for what became the company’s Born Electric compact platform, Velusamy explained.
Over 110 patents have been filed to protect innovations like asymmetrical ribs for crash strength, a new ‘veneering’ concept to stiffen side structures, and an EV-ready architecture that shields the battery while maintaining structural integrity, he said.
Agility was another focus. With a 28° approach and ramp-over angle, the SUVs can clear speed breakers and rough patches with ease. Despite the longer wheelbase, a turning circle of just 10.5 metres beats most competitors, while lightweight engineering delivers the lowest weight-to-volume ratio in its class, ensuring spirited performance without sacrificing efficiency, he mentioned.
Safety
Believing safety cannot be compromised, Velusamy and his team engineered the NU_IQ platform from scratch to meet 5-star standards across GNCAP, Euro NCAP, and ASEAN NCAP.
Practicality was woven into every decision. The luggage compartment is 15% larger than global rivals in the same class, while still balancing cabin space and safety. And behind it all is a forward-looking software-defined architecture, connecting hardware, cloud, and AI-driven systems to deliver intuitive features, real-time updates, and seamless connectivity.
The NU_IQ platform shows how Mahindra turned tough design challenges into fresh opportunities. By creating a powertrain-agnostic base that balances space, comfort, and performance, it has set a new standard for what a compact SUV can be—practical, premium, and ready for the future.
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