Mahindra BE 6 Formula E Edition | Photo Credit: Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala

Mahindra isn’t playing it safe with the BE 6 Formula E Edition, and frankly, it shouldn’t. This is an electric SUV built specifically for the motorsport fan, someone who wants their daily driver to scream Formula E heritage. At first glance, the racing DNA is aggressive and unmistakable, but this isn’t some fragile concept car meant for a pedestal. It’s a grounded road-ready machine that wears its track-bred identity on its sleeve, both on the skin and inside the cockpit.

The lineup is split into two trims, FE2 and FE3, priced at ₹23.69 lakh and ₹24.49 lakh, respectively. Under the floor, they are identical twins sharing the same battery and motor. The extra cash for the FE3 buys you toys such as adaptive suspension and ambient carpet lighting. Essentially, your choice isn’t about how fast you go, but how much ‘theatre’ you want during your morning commute.

Visually, this thing makes the standard BE 6 look anonymous. The palette of black, red, orange and white colours provides a high-contrast canvas for some clever detailing. The face is the real hero here; those round LED headlamps and the redesigned bumper give it a scowling, purposeful look. My favourite Easter egg? The 12 stripes on the bumper, a subtle nod to Mahindra’s 12 seasons on the Formula E grid that only true nerds will catch.

The rest of the exterior avoids being tacky by a hair’s breadth. White headlamp outlines add a sharp edge, while the 20-inch alloys give it a massive, planted stance. You get splashes of Firestorm Orange and matching brake callipers that peek through the rims, along with the mandatory FIA and Formula E badging. It’s loud, yes, but it’s finished with enough finesse to avoid looking like an aftermarket job.

high energy

Inside, the cabin keeps that adrenaline high without feeling claustrophobic. Orange accents pop against the dark materials on the steering wheel, the starter button and the seat stitching. Having ‘Formula E’ embossed on the headrests is one thing, but extending the branding to the seatbelts is a bold touch that really cements the theme. It feels like a cockpit, not just another cabin.

Tech-wise, the dashboard is dominated by dual super screens and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system that sounds brilliant thanks to Dolby Atmos. A Snapdragon 8155 chip keeps the interface snappy, supporting wireless smartphone mirroring for daily ease. Between the terrain-style console and the aluminium pedals, the vibes are pure performance. Yet, the materials feel premium enough to justify the price tag.

Safety stays front and centre. With six airbags, a 360-degree camera and a blind-spot monitor, it handles the chaos of city traffic with a sense of security. The chassis feels remarkably stiff and the brake-by-wire system provides the kind of consistent, biting stops you need when you’re exploiting the motor. With 5G connectivity baked in, the tech feels future-proofed for the next few years.

On paper, the value is hard to ignore. We’re talking over 200 horsepower sent to the rear wheels for roughly ₹25 lakh on-road, a performance-to-price ratio that was unthinkable five years ago. Refreshingly, Mahindra isn’t obsessed with boring range stats here. This car is about the shove, making electric speed feel like a treat rather than a utility.

But what about the range anxiety that plagues most EV discussions? Both Formula E trims come exclusively with the larger 79-kWh battery pack, which carries an official ARAI-claimed range of 683 km. In the real world, you can comfortably expect between 450 km and 500 km, depending on how heavy your right foot is. It’s worth noting that the stylish 20-inch wheels on the FE3 reduce range by about 30 km compared to the smaller rims. Still, for a car this focused on performance, endurance remains surprisingly practical for long weekend hauls.

The 0–100-kph sprint takes 6.7 seconds, but the sensation is what matters. It doesn’t give you that nauseating EV kick; instead, even in Boost mode, the power is a smooth, relentless wave. It feels sophisticated rather than frantic. That composure makes it a great daily driver. Overtakes are a simple point-and-squirt affair, and regen braking is tuned to be natural, not jerky. Even on those big 20-inch wheels, the adaptive suspension manages to soak up the sharp edges of broken tarmac surprisingly well. The rear-wheel-drive setup is the cherry on top, giving the BE 6 a balance and flickability that front-wheel-drive competitors just can’t replicate.

The BE 6 Formula E Edition feels like Mahindra finding its swagger. It’s a confident mix of bold styling, punchy performance and a deep feature list. If I’m nitpicking, the orange-heavy cabin might be a bit much for some and the dashboard layout is a little busy.

However, Mahindra deserves credit for building an EV that speaks to the heart, not just the spreadsheet. It doesn’t lecture you on being green, it invites enthusiasts to see that electric driving can be soulful, quick and genuinely fun. For the buyer who wants a sporty SUV with a legitimate racing connection, this is a refreshingly loud statement in a segment known for its silence.

© Motoring World

Published on January 16, 2026