Mahindra Reveals NU_IQ SUV Platform Upcoming SUVs On Independence Day

Mahindra has finally taken wraps off its highly anticipated new SUV platform- the NU_IQ (pronounced as 'New IQ'). The grand reveal comes at the FREEDOM NU event organized in Mumbai. The first model to be based on this platform will roll out in 2027, and will belong to the C2 segment.
The new architecture has a wheelbase of 2665 mm, and an overall length of 4.3 meters. For perspective, that's the length of a Hyundai Creta- the strongest player in the C2 segment today. Mahindra says that the new NU_IQ-based SUV will have a strong focus on occupant comfort and luxury.
Unlike many C2 players today, Mahindra's NU SUV will come with the best-in-segment ground clearance (the architecture can support up to 227mm) and a commanding driving position. Again, the Creta has a ground clearance of just 190mm. This should give you an idea of how high the new Mahindra would stand.
Interestingly, Mahindra seems to have benchmarked it against luxury SUVs. The Indian carmaker has lately been doing this. It in fact, benchmarked certain traits of the BE6 and XEV 9e against German cars like Mercedes and BMW. We expect the NU_IQ-based SUV to be no different.
One of the benchmarks for it could be the BMW X3, as hinted by the presentation. A slide compares the ground clearance of the new Mahindra SUV and the luxury SUV it was benchmarked against. The luxury rival's ground clearance is mentioned to be 204mm, the same as that of the X3.
The company has also revealed that the new platform will have a five-link independent rear suspension setup and Davinci damper technology- an industry first! Interestingly, even the X3 comes with a four-link setup at the rear.
Mahindra claims that the new SUV will have the best suspension in its segment. It is hard to disbelieve this claim, considering how the engineering team at Mahindra has evolved and what they have delivered on vehicles with diverse personalities like the Thar ROXX and the BE6.
The new vehicle will also come with a variable-pitch steering wheel. This means that the system can give varying steering ratios, thereby improving handling and road manners. This technology can be found in other Mahindra models like the BE6.
The NU_IQ platform is claimed to be quite versatile and will support vehicles of various forms, sizes and accommodating multiple powertrains (both ICE and EV models possible). It can accommodate both Left Hand Drive (LHD) and Right Hand Drive (RHD) options and Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) configurations.
Interestingly, the presentation doesn't mention RWD-support. Mahindra is known for making capable RWD products, but with the latest platform, they have switched to a more conventional FWD configuration.
The carmaker has also claimed that the new platform and the vehicles that it underpins will come with considerable weight savings, thanks to the NU_IQ's low mass density. On the practicality front, the new platform will offer generous room for luggage. The boot capacity is claimed to be up to 644L (measured to the roof) and 450 L (measured till seatback)- quite capacious. The exact numbers can vary depending on the vehicle's body style and design.
Mahindra has clarified that the new platform has been designed with safety in mind and will perform well in the GNCAP, ANCAP, and Euro NCAP crash tests.
Time remains before we know the specifics of this. But, the NU_IQ is likely to be used on the new-generation Bolero, which's been spotted on test several times. Furthermore, it will form the base of the production forms of the Vision S, T, SXT and X concepts.