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The Mahindra B6 has been doing really well in India. At its Independence Day event, the carmaker has launched the SPORTEQ version of this electric SUV, at a starting price of Rs 11.45 lakh, ex-showroom. That’s under the Battery As A Subscription (BaaS) program and for the 59kWh variant. The range-topping SPORTEQ variant costs Rs 26.95, ex-showroom. It has become the new flagship in the BE6 lineup. Deliveries will begin on August 26. Additionally, a new Freedom edition of the BE6 Formula E has also been unveiled.

The SPORTEQ launch edition brings major changes to the e-SUV’s cabin. It now gets a triple-screen dashboard, new connected features and a new black-and-tan colour scheme. It retains the exterior styling of the standard BE6. The sharp body lines, clean panels, LED lighting, flush-fitting door handles and 20-inch alloy wheels continue unchanged. The ‘SPORTEQ’ badge is probably the only noticeable exterior update.

The actual changes have come inside the cabin. The SPORTEQ has a more practical (read ‘conventional’) cabin design. It gets three large screens inside, while the regular EV comes with just two (the infotainment unit and the instrument cluster). In the SPORTEQ, the third display functions as the front passenger entertainment screen. All three screens are 12.3-inch units. This is similar to the setup used in the XEV 9e and XEV 9S.

The dashboard itself has also been redesigned. The standard BE6 has a halo-like element separating the driver and front passenger areas. The SPORTEQ ditches this in favour of a cleaner, horizontal design. This makes access to the wireless charging pad and USB Type-C ports easier. There are additional storage spaces as well.

And finally, the cabin now has a black-and-tan colour theme. The car also gets a revised upholstery and dashboard trims.

Another important highlight of the SPORTEQ edition is that the carmaker has added several software and connected features to it. Six broad technology suites have been added. These focus on personalisation, connectivity and vehicle functions.

One of them is TEQ_Me. It can automatically recognise the driver and load their personalised profile.

TEQ_Talk brings Google Gemini integration to the SUV, while TEQ_xting allows owners to display personalized messages on the rear tailgate LED cluster.

Another function, TEQ_Drive, introduces features such as a custom drive mode, Tribe Drive, Drift Mode and Acceleration Boost. It also brings the new Revive SOS function.

According to Mahindra, Revive SOS can provide enough energy to drive up to 13km to reach the nearest charging station after the battery has reached zero percent. The function can be used up to five times during the battery’s lifetime.

The SPORTEQ also continues with equipment already available on the BE 6, including a panoramic glass roof, 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected-car technology, a 360-degree camera, ADAS and multiple drive modes.

The SPORTEQ sees the addition of a third battery pack- 70kWh. It is thus available with three battery options- 59kWh, 70kWh and 79 kWh. The 70kWh version is priced at Rs 22.95 lakh, ex-showroom.

Both versions use a rear-mounted electric motor, with the motor producing up to 286hp and 380Nm on the larger battery version. The 79kWh unit offers a claimed MIDC range of up to 682km. Charging specifications and performance figures remain unchanged, as well.

The standard BE 6 is currently priced between Rs 18.90 lakh and Rs 26.90 lakh, ex-showroom. The SPORTEQ is likely to command a premium.

Mahindra has also revealed the new BE 6 Formula E Freedom Edition. This version arrives less than a year after the previous BE6 Formula E edition was introduced.

Unlike the earlier Formula E version, the Freedom Edition does not use the more aggressive styling package with circular lights and race stripes. Instead, the exterior design stays close to the standard BE 6, but with special Formula E-inspired details.

The short front and rear DRLs, circular LED headlamps and chunkier bumpers of the previous Formula E edition have been replaced by the standard BE 6’s C-shaped DRLs and sleeker bumpers.

However, the new edition continues to feature ‘Formula E’ badging on the front fenders. It also gets a new Rosso Impulso colour option and tri-colour decals across the bodywork.

The basic cabin layout remains unchanged on the Formula E Freedom Edition. This means it retains the halo-like element separating the driver and co-driver. It comes with two 12.3-inch screens serving infotainment and driver display duties. The interior is finished in a Firestorm Orange colour and has leatherette and Suede upholstery. A ‘Formula E Freedom Edition’ plaque and Formula E decals can also be seen in various places.

The equipment list includes a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging and ambient lighting. Additionally, the e-SUV gains a 540-degree camera system.

There are no changes in powertrain specifications. It continues with the same platform and battery packs as the regular BE6.