8.5 Lakh Difference Between Top And Base Mahindra BE6: Differences Explained

The Mahindra BE 6 is all set to hit the Indian market. This electric SUV has a radical design and has been designed ground up. The vehicle will be available in three variants- Pack 1, Pack 2, and Pack 3 ( Mahindra and its way with names!). The Indian carmaker has revealed the prices of the entry-spec and top-spec variants- Pack 1 and Pack 3. The base variant has an ex-showroom price of 18.9 lakh, while a full-blown Pack 3 variant with a larger battery will cost 26.9 lakh, ex-showroom. This marks a difference of around 8.9 lakh between the two. Let’s dive into the differences between these, and discuss what you’d lose if you were to go with Pack 1.

Mahindra BE 6 Pack ONE vs Pack THREE: Powertrain And Mechanical Differences

Mahindra offers the BE 6 with two battery packs- 59 kWh and 79 kWh. To start with, the base variant (Pack 1) comes just with the 59 kWh battery pack. Mahindra offers the 79 kWh battery only on the Pack 2 and Pack 3 variants. The smaller battery pack is claimed to offer an MIDC range of 557 km per charge while the 79 kWh unit could deliver 683 km. The real-world numbers could, however, be lower.

The larger battery also takes more time to charge via AC. However, on DC, both the packs have the same charging time for 20-100% refilling- 20 minutes.

The suspension too is different between these variants. Both variants get the same hardware- a McPherson Strut i-link independent suspension with a stabilizer bar at the front and a multi-link (5-link) setup at the rear. The Pack THREE, however, comes with an intelligent adaptive suspension setup.

This ensures a better balance between road manners and ride quality. The base spec, however, comes with a more basic setup consisting of Frequency-Dependent Damping (FDD) and Multi Tuned Valve-Concentric Land Technology (MTV-CL)

The Pack ONE comes with 18-inch steel wheels shod with 245/60 rubber. The Pack THREE, on the other hand, comes with 19-inch wheels with optional 20-inch alloys. The 19-inch units come with 245/55 tyres while the 20-inch wheels get 245/50 rubber.

Mahindra has stuffed the BE 6 with features and technology. These, however, come on the Pack THREE. The top-spec is the one to go for if you want to experience the BE 6 in its full glory. Let’s now handpick a few key equipment differences between these variants. Pack THREE gets CapTouch switches on the Steering wheel, floor console & roof lamp switches. On the exterior, the Pack THREE gets C-shaped LED DRLs and tail lamps. It also gets sequential turn indicators.

The tail lamps on the top-spec come with animations. These light up and can dance to the rhythms of the playing soundtrack. Pack THREE also gets electrically deployed front door handles, which go missing on Pack ONE. The Infinity roof – a fixed glass panoramic sunroof is not present on the base variant. Pack THREE also comes with ambient lighting and carpet lamps.

The audio system is one of the biggest highlights of the BE 6. The Pack ONE gets a standard audio with 6 speakers & sound staging. The top-spec comes with a 16-speaker Harman Kardon immersive audio and comes with Dolby Atmos.

The base spec comes with normal Cruise control while the top spec gets Adaptive Cruise control and ADAS. The dashboard & door trims are wrapped in soft trims. The steering wheel on the Pack THREE gets leatherette wrap, whereas the base-spec doesn’t. Below are more features that the Pack THREE gets and the ONE doesn’t.

• BYOD – device mounting provision on seats
• EyeDentity
• Full auto parking
• VenueScapes live
• Video calling with in-car camera
• Vision X (augmented reality HUD)
• 2 Wireless chargers
• Auto booster lamps
• Auto-dimming IRVM
• Driver seat with memory and welcome retract
• ORVM auto dip on reverse
• Passive keyless entry (PKE)
• Phone as key (NFC)
• Power fold ORVM
• Power tailgate with gesture control
• Ventilated front seats
• 360-degree camera
• Air purifier with PM 2.5 filter & AQI indicator
• Blind view monitor
• Front fog lamps
• Front park sensors
• Level 2+ ADAS: 1 radar +1 vision cam + 4 corner radars
• Secure 360 – live view & recording
• Windshield auto defogging

Worth The Compromise?

Well, the price premium of 8.9 lakh essentially means more technology, equipment and a larger battery pack. We have driven the SUV and can confidently tell you that it is worth buying the top-spec. If you can stretch your budget, go for the top-spec. If you aren’t too tech-savvy and are ok with missing out on key features, take home the Pack ONE. The comfortable mid-ground will obviously be the Pack TWO.