THE NU CHAPTER

Mahindra previews their next-generation SUVs with four new futuristic concepts.

- KARAN MATHUR

In the Indian automotive industry, only a handful of events qualify as seismic shifts. Some of them – the launch of the original Scorpio, market disruption of the XUV500, and technological masterclass of the XUV700 – have been brought about by Mahindra, a company that has not just repeatedly redefined the SUV segment but also reshaped the very expectations of Indian car buyers.

Now, it seems that the company plans to shake things up once again. Its Freedom NU event made that clear, offering a glimpse into the brand's future. During the event, Mahindra unveiled its Global Vision 2027, which focuses on what the brand calls 'Core SUVs' – authentic true-blue SUVs and not MPVs or hatchback-derived crossovers – and includes four futuristic concepts. This segment currently accounts for 30% of the market, leaving a massive growth opportunity that Mahindra plans to capture.

At the heart of this vision lies the new NU_IQ platform – an architecture that, according to the company, is 'too versatile for a single box'. Engineered for the global C2 segment, this modular, multi-powertrain, and multi-configuration platform promises to resolve the paradoxes of modern SUVs. It's designed to deliver everything – a commanding seating position, lightweight construction with top-tier safety, and a first-of-its-kind flat floor for ICE vehicles. And all of this will be brought together through the brand's new, expressive 'HEARTCORE' design language.

So, let's dive into what each of the four new concepts built on this platform signifies.

VISION T: THE GLOBAL ICON