Upcoming 5 Coupé SUVs From Tata, Mahindra & Citroen: Specs, Features, Expected Price & Launch

Key Highlights:

• Affordable & mass market coupe SUVs will soon be available in India
• Tata, Mahindra & Citroen are all set to democratize the SUV coupe body style in India

Ever since Mahindra showcased the XUV Aero concept at Auto Expo 2016, the Indian public has been going crazy over the introduction of this new body type in the affordable mass market segment. Although, Mahindra never launched the XUV Aero coupe SUV in India, the automaker is set to reintroduce the coupe body style with its 2 new upcoming models i.e. XUV.E9 and BE.05.

Similarly, jumping into the bandwagon, Tata Motors too is set to bring Curvv/Azura coupe SUV in both ICE version and EV version.

Moreover, recently Citroen also unveiled its upcoming coupe SUV named Basalt Vision Concept.

Although Mahindra’s both coupe SUVs are still a few months away from launch, the Citroen Basalt Vision, Tata Curvv/Azura and Tata Curvv/Azura EV will most probably hit the Indian roads in the coming few months.

In this article let's take a comprehensive look at all the 5 coupe SUVs from the 3 brands.

Tata Curvv/Azura EV

Also Read: Citroen C3 Aircross Top Features That You Should Know

Soon after its first reveal in April 2022, Tata Curvv EV became the talk of the town for its unique looking design and coupe-like styling. Upon its launch, which is expected sometime in the mid 2024, the Curvv EV will become the first affordable mass market electric coupe SUV in India. Tata is likely to price it in the range of Rs 20 Lakh to Rs 25 Lakh (ex-showroom).

On the powertrain front, we expect Tata to offer around 45 to 55 kWh battery pack along with a front axle mounted PSM motor in the Curvv EV. Moreover, just like the recently launched Tata Punch EV, Tata Curvv/Azura EV will also be based on Tata’s new pure EV only platform - acti.ev (Advanced Connected Tech Intelligent Electric Vehicle), thus enabling a flat floor with no transmission tunnel in the rear. This will free up more leg room, knee & toe space for the rear passengers, especially the rear central passenger.

In addition to the above mentioned positives, the acti.ev architecture will also enable advanced & next gen tech like V2V and V2L in the Curvv EV. The V2V stands for vehicle to vehicle charging and the V2L stands for vehicle to load charging. With V2V one can charge another compatible electric vehicle and with V2L one can charge or run consumer appliances like electric stove, TV, AC, etc.

Additionally, the Curvv EV will likely offer 500+ km of driving range and at least 100 to 150 kW DC fast charging.

Tata Curvv/Azura ICE (Petrol Powered)

Similar to its EV counterpart, the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) powered Curvv/Azura will offer a sloping roofline in the rear and an upright bonet, giving it a coupe as well as an SUV like stance. To differentiate ICE Curvv with Curvv EV, we expect Tata to equip both the cars with different alloy designs, with the EV getting more aero efficient alloys.

Tata Curvv ICE is likely to be based on Tata’s old but trustworthy and proven X1 platform which also underpins the Nexon and Nexon EV. Also, after the recent showcase of Tata Curvv ICE at the 2024 Bharat Mobility Expo, it is almost confirmed that its interiors will be highly similar to that of the new facelifted Nexon.

On the powertrain front, Tata Curvv is likely to debut Tata’s new TGDi engines i.e. a 1.2 litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine with either a 6 speed manual or a 7 speed dual clutch automatic transmission. On the features front, we expect Curvv to come with all the features that the new Nexon gets with a few extras like rear disc brakes, dual zone climate control AC, electric adjustment for driver seat, panoramic sunroof and probably ADAS tech too.

Its launch is expected by the end of 2024 or in early 2025. Once launched, this new SUV coupe will give a tough competition to the mid size SUVs like Hyundai Creta, Honda Elevate, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq etc. Being a mid size SUV, we expect Tata to price it competitively between the range of Rs 13 lakh to Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom).

Mahindra BE.05

Although the Mahindra XUV Aero never made it to production, Mahindra is set to revive the unique coupe SUV body style with the upcoming BE.05 electric SUV coupe. Expected to launch in the second half of 2025, the BE.05 will be the first product from M&M under its new pure EV sub brand - BE.

The auto major has already revealed the new skateboard platform on which its upcoming electric cars like BE.05 will be based on. Named INGLO, this new platform will likely also get some components from VW’s MEB platform.

In recent times, a number of test mules of the BE.05 have been spotted on Indian roads during their testing. Therefore, based on several spy images and videos, we can expect a lot of first in segment features in the Mahindra BE.05. Some of these include level 2+ or level 3 ADAS tech (with camera + multiple radar configuration), self parking (semi-autonomous) using ultrasonic sensors, V2V & V2L charging, 150+ kW DC fast charging, panoramic glass roof, etc.

Moreover, on the battery and motor front, it is likely to come with a 55 to 65 kWh battery pack and a rear axle mounted electric motor. Likely to be priced in the range of Rs 25 to Rs 30 Lakh (ex-showroom), the Mahindra BE.05 will offer a full charge driving range of around 450 to 550 km and will rival the likes of MG ZS EV, Tata Curvv EV, etc.

Mahindra XUV.E9

Apart from the BE.05, Mahindra is also working on another coupe SUV. Named XUV.E9, this second coupe SUV will come under Mahindra’s XUV range and not the BE range. It too is likely to be underpinned by the INGLO platform of Mahindra, which will also include components from VW Groups MEB platform.

Expected to come with a battery pack of around 60 to 80 kWh, the Mahindra XUV.E9 will likely offer more range than the BE.05, most likely over 500 km on a single full charge. Moreover, according to several media sources, Mahindra might also offer 2 battery pack options in the XUV.E9.

Although the XUV.E9 is confirmed to come with a rear wheel drive setup, we expect that Mahindra will at least offer the AWD (All Wheel Drive) setup as an option if not as standard.

Once launched, the XUV.E9 will become the most expensive vehicle from M&M. That’s coz, Mahindra is expected to price it upwards of Rs 35 Lakh (ex-showroom). With that kind of pricing, it will have to compete with EVs like BYD Atto 3, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Tata Harrier EV, etc.

Citroen Basalt Vision

With the recent global unveiling of the Basalt Vision, Citroen too has entered the coupe SUV game. Expected to first arrive in India sometime this year, the Citroen Basalt Vision will probably become the most affordable coupe SUV in India.

In the recent teaser video released by the brand, a few features of the Basalt Vision could be seen. Some of those include rear disc brakes (confirming all wheel disc setup), 18 or 19 inch alloys, and 200+ mm of ground clearance.

Moreover, the vehicle shown in the teaser video & images can be seen having two minute humps (probably hinges) on both sides of the shark fin antenna, indicating towards a full hatch opening (including the rear windshield) rather than a conventional sedan like boot lid. If it's true, this will definitely be unique & extremely practical for the customers of Citroen Basalt Vision!

Citroen will most likely place it in the mid size SUV segment, making it rival the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and the upcoming Tata Curvv.

With a sloping roofline in the rear, a high upfront bonet, C3 Aircross like front end design, and an all around cladding, the new Basalt Vision will truly shine as one of the most good looking mass market SUVs in India.

As of now, only the ICE version of Basalt Vision is confirmed to launch in India. However, we also expect an EV based on it at a later stage.

Additionally, upon launch it is expected to come with the same 1.2 litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that powers the C3 Aircross. On the transmission front too, we expect it to come with the 6 speed manual gearbox or a 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

On the pricing front, it is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 10 Lakh to Rs 15 Lakh (ex-showroom).

CarBike360 Says

With all the 5 above mentioned coupe SUVs set to hit the Indian roads max by 2025 end, this unique body type which was exclusive to the premium and luxury segment, will now be accessible to the mass market and to the general customers. This truly is the democratization of SUV coupe body type.