Mahindra Unveils Four Futuristic SUV Concepts on All-New NU_IQ Platform
While the world’s eyes were locked on Monterey Car Week with its dazzling supercars and multi-million-dollar restomods, a quieter yet arguably more important reveal unfolded thousands of miles away. In India, Mahindra & Mahindra staged a global event to showcase four striking new SUV concepts that will form the blueprint of its lineup starting in 2027.
At the center of the announcement were the Mahindra Vision.T off-roader and Vision.SXT pickup, futuristic machines that channel the rugged DNA of the Jeep Wrangler while adding modern sophistication. Alongside them, Mahindra revealed the sporty Vision.X and the compact, rugged Vision.S, offering buyers a wide spectrum of designs aimed at different lifestyles and markets.
NU_IQ Platform : Flexible, Global, Future-Ready
All four concepts ride on Mahindra’s brand-new NU_IQ architecture, a flexible and modular platform engineered to accommodate multiple powertrain options—gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and fully electric. It supports both front- and all-wheel-drive layouts, allowing Mahindra to cater to diverse global markets.
The NU_IQ platform is also designed for export readiness with both left- and right-hand drive configurations. It can underpin SUVs ranging from 3,990 to 4,320 mm in length with a 2,610 mm wheelbase, ensuring scalability across segments. According to Mahindra, the underpinnings enable a commanding seating position, class-leading boot space, flat floors (even in ICE variants), lightweight construction, and advanced safety systems.
Vision.T and Vision.SXT : Rugged and Production-Ready
The Vision.T and Vision.SXT evolve from the Mahindra Thar.e concept (2023), but appear far closer to production reality. They feature bold grilles with LED headlights, upright boxy proportions, and all-terrain bumpers. Generous ground clearance and rugged fender flares emphasize their off-road ambitions.
- Vision.T: A five-door SUV, designed for family adventure.
- Vision.SXT: A four-door pickup with an exposed cargo bed, equipped with two full-size spare wheels mounted behind a custom tailgate.
Inside, both share a five-seat cabin with a tall, portrait-style touchscreen dominating the center console, paired with a digital instrument cluster and overhead toggle switches, adding a utilitarian touch.
Vision.S : Compact Defender-Inspired SUV
The Mahindra Vision.S targets the compact SUV segment with styling reminiscent of a baby Land Rover Defender. Despite its smaller size, it features a roof rack, roof-mounted LEDs, side ladder, and rear spare wheel carrier—all pointing to its go-anywhere spirit.
The interior balances digital sophistication with tactile usability: two digital displays, separated by central vents, plus an array of physical controls, which is unusual in Indian design studies but welcomed by enthusiasts who value ergonomics.
Vision.X : Sporty and Futuristic
The final reveal, the Vision.X, stands as the sportiest of the bunch. Slim LED lights, sculpted bodywork, and glossy black accents contrast against matte paint for a bold visual identity. Inside, a curved digital cockpit and futuristic two-spoke steering wheel hint at design elements likely to trickle into Mahindra’s XUV and XEV families.
Global Ambitions : Launch by 2027
Mahindra confirmed that production models based on these concepts will start launching in 2027, first in India before reaching global markets. The automaker aims to position itself as a serious global SUV contender, leveraging its design studios in Mumbai and Banbury, UK, under the brand’s Heartcore styling philosophy.
This new lineup suggests that Mahindra is preparing to move beyond being seen as a domestic SUV specialist into becoming a world-class competitor against brands like Jeep, Toyota, and Land Rover.
