BE 6e and Curvv EV are both electric coupe-SUVs, but are very different under the skin.
27 Nov 2024 | 11197 Views | By Saptarshi Mondal, Autocar India
The new Mahindra BE 6e and the XEV 9e have really stirred up the mass-market EV segment with their shock pricing, especially for the features, technology and performance they have to offer. The smaller of these two vehicles, the BE 6e, is a direct rival to the Tata Curvv EV ...
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The new Mahindra BE 6e and the XEV 9e have really stirred up the mass-market EV segment with their shock pricing, especially for the features, technology and performance they have to offer. The smaller of these two vehicles, the BE 6e, is a direct rival to the Tata Curvv EV that was launched a few months ago. Both are electric coupe-SUVs that are priced nearly at par with each other, but they couldn’t be more different under their skin. So, lets dive right to see how the new Mahindra BE 6e compares against the Tata Curvv EV on paper in terms of dimensions, battery and range, specs and price.
As you can see in the table above, the BE 6e is the slightly larger car, measuring 61mm longer and 97mm wider than the Curvv EV; however, the latter is 10mm taller. The BE 6e also has a much longer wheelbase, thanks to its born electric origins.
The Mahindra also edges ahead in terms of ground clearance which is a 21mm more than the Curvv EV. In terms of boot space, however, the Curvv EV offers 45-liters of additional space, but the BE 6e makes up for it with a larger frunk at 45-litres as opposed to the Curvv EV’s minuscule 11.5-litre frunk which is only good enough for its own charging cables. The BE 6e also has a much shorter turning circle, thanks to its electric steering with variable gear ratios.
As for wheel sizes, Tata Motors offers 17-inch rims on lower variants of the Curvv EV and 18-inch rims on the higher-spec ones. Meanwhile, the base-spec BE 6e gets 18-inch rims while higher trims get 19-inch rims. One can even get optional 20-inch wheels on the BE 6e. In terms of size, therefore, the BE 6e is ahead of the Curvv EV in most comparable aspects.
Mahindra BE 6e vs Tata Curvv EV underpinnings
Before we get into the powertrain details, it is important to address that the BE 6e and the Curvv EV use completely different underpinnings. The former is a born-EV based on a skateboard architecture where the vehicle is built around the battery. Meanwhile, the Curvv EV is a heavily modified version of an existing ICE platform which has been adapted for batteries and electric motors. This brings about a fundamental difference in their drive layout – the BE 6e is rear wheel drive while the Curvv EV is front wheel drive.
Converted EVs are usually restricted to a front-wheel drive layout because that is the default configuration for most ICE vehicles. In trying to fit an EV powertrain into the overall structure, engineers have to work around the vehicle's original design with its designated spaces for exhaust systems, fuel tanks, and other ICE-specific components, which creates natural limitations. Meanwhile, in a born-EV, engineers can optimise every millimeter of space for maximum battery capacity, directly translating to better range and performance. It also allows for flexibility between RWD or AWD configurations which not only results in better dynamics, but also helps put down the power on the road better.
Mahindra BE 6e vs Tata Curvv EV battery, range, charging
And that brings us to their battery specifications. Both get two battery pack options: the Curvv EV gets 45kWh and 55kWh units which have an ARAI-certified range of 430km and 502km, respectively. Meanwhile, the BE 6e uses much larger 59kWh and 79kWh battery packs which have an ARAI-claimed range of 535km and 682km, respectively. Even with its smaller battery pack, the BE 6e returns 33km more range than the Curvv EV’s bigger battery.
As for charging, a 7.2kW AC charger is common to both, while the BE 6e comes with an additional 11.2kW AC charger. Comparing the charging times using the 7.2kWh unit, owing to its larger battery, the BE 6e understandably takes more time to charge at this input. It is, however, important to note that one has to buy the charger separately with the BE 6e, while it comes as standard with the Curvv EV.
When it comes to DC charging, the BE 6e can take inputs of up to 175kW, topping up the batteries from 20-80 percent in just 20 mins. Meanwhile, the Curvv EV can take inputs of only up to 70kW, topping up the batteries from 10-80 percent in 40 mins.
Another notable point of distinction is that Mahindra is offering lifetime warranty on the battery pack for the first registered owner. However, if the ownership is transferred, the warranty will be limited to 10-years/2,00,000 km. Meanwhile, Tata Motors only offers only up 8-years/1,60,000km warranty on the battery pack.
Lastly, coming to their power and torque outputs, the BE 6e has a huge advantage over the Curvv EV, with the higher-spec 79kWh variant having almost double the power of the lower-spec Curvv EV. This also makes the BE 6e, along with the XEV 9e, the most powerful made-in-India vehicles. The fundamental difference in FWD and RWD configurations also makes for a very different drive experience with both coupe-SUVs.
In terms of outright performance, the 79kWh variant of the BE 6e is 1.9 seconds faster to 100kph than the 55kWh variant o the Curvv EV.
Mahindra BE 6e vs Tata Curvv EV performance and specs
Lastly, coming to their power and torque outputs, the BE 6e has a huge advantage over the Curvv EV, with the higher-spec 79kWh variant having almost double the power of the lower-spec Curvv EV. This also makes the BE 6e, along with the XEV 9e, the most powerful made-in-India vehicles. The fundamental difference in FWD and RWD configurations also makes for a very different drive experience with both coupe-SUVs.
In terms of outright performance, the 79kWh variant of the BE 6e is 1.9 seconds faster to 100kph than the 55kWh variant o the Curvv EV.
Mahindra BE 6e vs Tata Curvv EV price
However, despite its premium, the Mahindra BE 6e comes across as the better package on paper, offering a lot more on the equipment front as well. We’ll be doing a detailed comparison of the features on offer on both coupe-SUVs, so stay tuned for that. Meanwhile, which electric coupe-SUV appeals to you more? Let us know in the comments below.