Mahindra may release their first electric SUV in India
It’s a known fact that SsangYong has struggled financially even after Mahindra rescued the SUV specialist back in 2010. They even filed for bankruptcy in Korea last year but there is some good news for India and the European markets as the automaker has a renewed focus on eco-friendly mobility. This is vital to its rehabilitation process as they look to launch its first electric car, the Korando e-Motion which entered production in June.
Korando e-Motion Electric SUV
The Korando e-Motion is largely based on the existing petrol and diesel Korando but with subtle bespoke styling details hinting that it’s an electric SUV. It has some of the trademark EV design elements such as a more aerodynamic grille, new front bumper, fog light arrangement, aerodynamic wheels and blue trim around the car’s exterior to highlight its electric underpinnings.
SsangYong previously confirmed that the Korando e-Motion would have a single electric motor producing 139 kW which is 19 kW more than the turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine fitted to the current flagship model. While they haven’t revealed more specifications, they did mention a battery pack with a 61.5kWh capacity. According to SsangYong, that should be enough as it would result in a range of more than 260 miles on the outdated NEDC testing cycle.
European deliveries of the Korando e-Motion are due to start this month with deliveries to the UK later this year due to the ongoing global semiconductor shortage.
What Will The Korando e-Motion Cost?
The Korando e-Motion, with the project name E100, could be India’s first electric SUV. The SsangYong Korando e-Motion could possibly be the rebadged Mahindra eXUV300 for the Indian market. They’ve also announced its next electric medium-sized SUV to replace the long-defunct Musso under the project name J100 with plans to launch sometime in 2022.
No prices have been set but it will likely follow the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro while directly rivalling the similarly budget-friendly MG ZS EV. The assumption is that it could have a price tag of under £30,000 (R614,000*) which is not bad considering what other EVs are going for.
As stated by SsangYong receiver, Yong-won Chung: “We’re establishing a strong foothold for corporate rehabilitation through a successful merger and acquisition and putting our very best efforts into new car development by addressing the rapidly changing automotive trends.
“We’re expanding the line-up of eco-cars, discovering future growth opportunities, such as new business models, and preparing for renewed competitiveness.”
Whether any of these cars will ever make their way to South Africa remains to be seen. Either way, it’s fascinating as more and more carmakers are going electric and the results are pretty impressive across the board.
To follow this interesting story and other motoring news from around the world, keep reading our blog and sign up for our newsletter for special offers and announcements. If you’re looking for a new or quality pre-owned Mahindra vehicle, visit our online showroom where you can also book a test drive.
* Price based on similar vehicles and the exchange rate as of August 2021.
