Both Mahindra and Mahindra are gearing up to launch their first electric SUV – the XUV400 – in India in the coming weeks. The XUV400, launched earlier this year, is the first of at least five next-generation EVs the automaker will launch in the country over the next few years. Ahead of the launch, Mahindra and Mahindra have launched a virtual platform called the XUV400 verse for enhancing the buying experience of the electric SUV. It’s a metaverse platform that offers a virtual showroom where customers can choose to customize their XUV400 and even take it for a test drive.
While virtual showrooms are nothing new, the experience of driving from the comfort of home is unique for any Indian automaker. Users need to log in and enter the showroom for a test drive. From the perspective of the driver behind the wheel of the XUV400, it looks like a video game. Metaverse offers multiple modes and camera views for virtual test drives. However, this is far from a real-world experience.
Metaverse also gives potential customers the option to choose their favorite color for the XUV400. Through a guided or customized showroom tour, people can configure the XUV400 of their choice through a 3D simulation. Veejay Nakra, President, Mahindra and Mahindra Automotive, said: “The XUV400verse will enable us to create an exceptional customer experience. We invite our community of young SUV buyers and enthusiasts to experience this experience in the comfort of their homes with their friends and family. We are delivering an environment that will resonate with our next generation of tech-savvy customers, offering them innovative and immersive experiences.”
The Mahindra XUV400 will be the second India-made electric SUV after the Tata Nexon EV. The XUV400 is the highest range electric SUV made in India. The Mahindra electric SUV promises a range of 456 kilometers on a single charge. This puts the Mahindra XUV400 ahead of the Tata Nexon EV with a range of 437 km on a single charge.
Mahindra also claims that the XUV400 will be the fastest electric SUV made in India. Capable of a 0-100 kmph sprint in 8.3 seconds, the Mahindra XUV400 EV is quicker than the Tata Nexon EV, which takes around 9 seconds to hit the same mark from a standstill.
The Mahindra XUV400 EV draws power from a 39.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Mahindra claims that it can be fully charged in less than an hour using fast charging technology.
Apart from the Tata Nexon EV, the Mahindra XUV400 also aims to compete in the Indian market with rivals like the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV.
First published date: December 22, 2022 at 11:34 AM CST
https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/electric-vehicles/in-a-first-mahindra-offers-virtual-test-drive-of-xuv400-ev-ahead-of-launch-41671687722063.html