As reported earlier, from the Mahindra-Ford partnership, both the companies will benefit by sharing powertrains and jointly developing new products. Mahindra is also reported to be finalising on using the Ford Aspire platform for an upcoming electric vehicle and the alliance is going to develop a B-SUV together.
The Ford Aspire platform will be used by Mahindra and the electric version has already been spied testing. The new electric vehicle is speculated to succeed the Mahindra E-Verito. The powertrain on the Aspire based EV is expected to be a 380V system which will have a 60kW (81.5 HP) motor connected to a 25kWh lithium-ion battery pack which is expected to do a real-world range of 150km, which Mahindra targets to extend the range to 200km. The EV is expected to do a top speed of 110 kmph. This powertrain is expected to be developed by Mahindra Electric.
The B-SUV was expected to be a successor of the Ford’s ageing EcoSport which was expected to be made using the SsangYong Tivoli platform. But, things have taken a turn and it is being reported that Mahindra is likely to borrow the EcoSport’s B-Platform, which means that the next generation EcoSport will share the same platform which is currently in use. Mahindra will be using the American carmakers B-Platform on the future Mahindra products as well.
Ford and Mahindra have also agreed to share powertrains and the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine from Ford’s petrol engine line-up is expected to be replaced by the Mahindra’s new T-GDI engine when BSVI emission norms roll-out. The all-new 1.2-litre and the 1.5 Ti-VCT engines from Ford, is likely to be given an upgrade and are expected to be in service post BSVI enforcement.
The companies have also agreed to jointly develop a B-SUV and car is expected to be introduced around 2021. The jointly developed SUV is expected to rival the Hyundai Venue and Maruti Vitara Brezza. The B-SUV is also expected to use the new BSVI compliant 1.2-litre T-GDI three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine developed by Mahindra.