Mahindra Vision T prototype spied testing for the first time

A Mahindra Vision T prototype was spied testing on our roads for the first time. Though the pre-production prototype was heavily camouflaged, the spy shots suggest that the final version could carry over several design cues from the Vision T concept. The Vision T itself is an evolution of the Mahindra Thar.e concept, which was showcased in August 2023.

Mahindra Vision T prototype spy shot details

Exterior

Up front, the prototype has a split grille with horizontal slats similar to the one in the Vision T. Additionally, it has a flat bonnet, an upright windscreen, pronounced wheel arches and an off-road spec front bumper. As for the rectangular outer rearview mirrors, they appear similar to those of the Mahindra Thar Roxx. The halogen headlights, as well as the tail-lights, are likely to be temporary units; LED units are expected in the final version.

One can notice that the vehicle sits high off the ground and has side steps. The wheels now appear more traditional without the polygonal design that characterised the Vision T’s units. Like the Vision T, the pre-production prototype opts for vertically positioned rear door handles rather than horizontal ones.

The rear quarter glass area is hidden completely, and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel is missing; the production version is likely to get one, just like the Thar Roxx. A high-mounted stop lamp and an upright rear glass are among the other design highlights.

Interior

The interior spy shot reveals A-pillar-mounted grab handles and a digital driver’s display. While the other cabin details are largely hidden, the production-spec SUV could be equipped with features such as wireless charging, steering-mounted audio controls, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control and more.  

It remains to be seen whether the carmaker carries over the panoramic sunroof, portrait-style touchscreen and the new three-spoke steering wheel from the Vision T.

Mahindra Vision T concept technical details

The Vision T concept is underpinned by Mahindra’s all-new NU_IQ architecture. It is a modular, monocoque platform that has been designed for SUVs measuring between 3,990mm and 4,320mm in length. While exact details about the off-road hardware are still unknown, models based on the NU_IQ platform will have an approach angle of up to 28 degrees, a departure angle of up to 34.9 degrees and a breakover angle of up to 28.2 degrees.

The 2023 Thar.e was showcased as an electric SUV, and the Vision T’s production version could carry on being electric-only. Both the Thar and Thar Roxx are already available with petrol and diesel engine options, and an electric version would further expand the powertrain choices for customers.

As per Mahindra, the NU_IQ base is capable of supporting both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive layouts, and there is a hybrid powertrain also on the cards. At the unveiling of the Vision T concept last year, the company said it will aim for a 5-star crash-safety rating from global testing agencies such as the Global NCAP and Euro NCAP.

It remains to be seen which powertrain Mahindra will choose for the production-spec Vision T, what its feature list will include and how it will be priced. A launch date is also unclear at this stage.