Mahindra studying its first hybrid models
Mahindra is one of a handful of car manufacturers not to offer a hybrid model anywhere in the world, meaning its Australian arm does not have an 'off-the-shelf' hybrid it can easily add to its local lineup.
Two all-electric vehicles (EVs) – the XEV 9e and the Be 6 electric SUVs – were revealed in India last year as part of Mahindra's transition from a commercial vehicle -focused manufacturer to a fully fledged mainstream auto brand.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
While these are on the cards for eventual release Down Under, Mahindra Automotive Australia says it is aware of the growth in popularity of hybrids locally, where the hybrid-only Toyota RAV4 was Australia's best-selling SUV in 2024 and so far in 2025.
"Hybrids are definitely part of what I call 'the study' – I'm calling it the study phase – and I'm just leaving it at that right now for us," Mahindra's head of international operations, Sachin Arolkar, told CarExpert at the recent launch of the petrol-engined Mahindra XUV 3XO – the brand's most compact SUV yet and a challenger to the cut-price Chery Tiggo 4 small SUV.
"From a from a powertrain migration perspective, Mahindra has primarily been a diesel [powertrain producer]. From there we added petrol [engines] over the last few years.
"Now we have in our priority list moved to the EV phase… [while] not discounting anything else that could come."
Sales of new hybrid vehicles increased by 76 per cent in Australia in 2024, and by a further 14.9 per cent in the first half of 2025.
In the first six months of this year hybrids accounted for 15 per cent of all new vehicle sales in Australia, while EVs made up 7.6 per cent (down 0.4 per cent).
Hybrid sales have also increased in the world's two largest auto markets – China and the US – and many automakers including Volkswagen (which Mahindra partnered with for its EV tech) as well as Toyota, Honda, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have wound back their previously self-imposed deadlines by which to stop selling internal combustion-engined (ICE) vehicles and sell only EVs.
Others like Audi have also committed to new development of combustion engines, while many other premium brands are developing V8-based plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Mahindra has announced a bold plan to grow its local sales six-fold by 2030 and become a top-15 auto brand in Australia by volume, and to get there it says it will launch at least one new model here annually.
The new XUV 3XO – backed by introductory pricing that makes it temporarily Australia's cheapest SUV – sits below the XUV 700 medium SUV and the Scorpio large SUV in Mahindra's local range, and is expected to become the Indian brand's top-seller here.
MORE: Mahindra eyes electric cars for Australia
MORE: Why Indian giant Mahindra turned to VW to 'jumpstart' electric push
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The first hybrid vehicles from Mahindra could be on their way as the Indian automaker looks to capitalise on the increasing popularity of petrol-electric powertrain technology.
Mahindra is one of a handful of car manufacturers not to offer a hybrid model anywhere in the world, meaning its Australian arm does not have an 'off-the-shelf' hybrid it can easily add to its local lineup.
Two all-electric vehicles (EVs) – the XEV 9e and the Be 6 electric SUVs – were revealed in India last year as part of Mahindra's transition from a commercial vehicle -focused manufacturer to a fully fledged mainstream auto brand.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
While these are on the cards for eventual release Down Under, Mahindra Automotive Australia says it is aware of the growth in popularity of hybrids locally, where the hybrid-only Toyota RAV4 was Australia's best-selling SUV in 2024 and so far in 2025.
"Hybrids are definitely part of what I call 'the study' – I'm calling it the study phase – and I'm just leaving it at that right now for us," Mahindra's head of international operations, Sachin Arolkar, told CarExpert at the recent launch of the petrol-engined Mahindra XUV 3XO – the brand's most compact SUV yet and a challenger to the cut-price Chery Tiggo 4 small SUV.
"From a from a powertrain migration perspective, Mahindra has primarily been a diesel [powertrain producer]. From there we added petrol [engines] over the last few years.
"Now we have in our priority list moved to the EV phase… [while] not discounting anything else that could come."
Sales of new hybrid vehicles increased by 76 per cent in Australia in 2024, and by a further 14.9 per cent in the first half of 2025.
In the first six months of this year hybrids accounted for 15 per cent of all new vehicle sales in Australia, while EVs made up 7.6 per cent (down 0.4 per cent).
Hybrid sales have also increased in the world's two largest auto markets – China and the US – and many automakers including Volkswagen (which Mahindra partnered with for its EV tech) as well as Toyota, Honda, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have wound back their previously self-imposed deadlines by which to stop selling internal combustion-engined (ICE) vehicles and sell only EVs.
Others like Audi have also committed to new development of combustion engines, while many other premium brands are developing V8-based plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Mahindra has announced a bold plan to grow its local sales six-fold by 2030 and become a top-15 auto brand in Australia by volume, and to get there it says it will launch at least one new model here annually.
The new XUV 3XO – backed by introductory pricing that makes it temporarily Australia's cheapest SUV – sits below the XUV 700 medium SUV and the Scorpio large SUV in Mahindra's local range, and is expected to become the Indian brand's top-seller here.
MORE: Mahindra eyes electric cars for Australia
MORE: Why Indian giant Mahindra turned to VW to 'jumpstart' electric push
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The first hybrid vehicles from Mahindra could be on their way as the Indian automaker looks to capitalise on the increasing popularity of petrol-electric powertrain technology.
Mahindra is one of a handful of car manufacturers not to offer a hybrid model anywhere in the world, meaning its Australian arm does not have an 'off-the-shelf' hybrid it can easily add to its local lineup.
Two all-electric vehicles (EVs) – the XEV 9e and the Be 6 electric SUVs – were revealed in India last year as part of Mahindra's transition from a commercial vehicle -focused manufacturer to a fully fledged mainstream auto brand.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
While these are on the cards for eventual release Down Under, Mahindra Automotive Australia says it is aware of the growth in popularity of hybrids locally, where the hybrid-only Toyota RAV4 was Australia's best-selling SUV in 2024 and so far in 2025.
"Hybrids are definitely part of what I call 'the study' – I'm calling it the study phase – and I'm just leaving it at that right now for us," Mahindra's head of international operations, Sachin Arolkar, told CarExpert at the recent launch of the petrol-engined Mahindra XUV 3XO – the brand's most compact SUV yet and a challenger to the cut-price Chery Tiggo 4 small SUV.
"From a from a powertrain migration perspective, Mahindra has primarily been a diesel [powertrain producer]. From there we added petrol [engines] over the last few years.
"Now we have in our priority list moved to the EV phase… [while] not discounting anything else that could come."
Sales of new hybrid vehicles increased by 76 per cent in Australia in 2024, and by a further 14.9 per cent in the first half of 2025.
In the first six months of this year hybrids accounted for 15 per cent of all new vehicle sales in Australia, while EVs made up 7.6 per cent (down 0.4 per cent).
Hybrid sales have also increased in the world's two largest auto markets – China and the US – and many automakers including Volkswagen (which Mahindra partnered with for its EV tech) as well as Toyota, Honda, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have wound back their previously self-imposed deadlines by which to stop selling internal combustion-engined (ICE) vehicles and sell only EVs.
Others like Audi have also committed to new development of combustion engines, while many other premium brands are developing V8-based plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Mahindra has announced a bold plan to grow its local sales six-fold by 2030 and become a top-15 auto brand in Australia by volume, and to get there it says it will launch at least one new model here annually.
The new XUV 3XO – backed by introductory pricing that makes it temporarily Australia's cheapest SUV – sits below the XUV 700 medium SUV and the Scorpio large SUV in Mahindra's local range, and is expected to become the Indian brand's top-seller here.
MORE: Mahindra eyes electric cars for Australia
MORE: Why Indian giant Mahindra turned to VW to 'jumpstart' electric push
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The first hybrid vehicles from Mahindra could be on their way as the Indian automaker looks to capitalise on the increasing popularity of petrol-electric powertrain technology.
Mahindra is one of a handful of car manufacturers not to offer a hybrid model anywhere in the world, meaning its Australian arm does not have an 'off-the-shelf' hybrid it can easily add to its local lineup.
Two all-electric vehicles (EVs) – the XEV 9e and the Be 6 electric SUVs – were revealed in India last year as part of Mahindra's transition from a commercial vehicle -focused manufacturer to a fully fledged mainstream auto brand.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
While these are on the cards for eventual release Down Under, Mahindra Automotive Australia says it is aware of the growth in popularity of hybrids locally, where the hybrid-only Toyota RAV4 was Australia's best-selling SUV in 2024 and so far in 2025.
"Hybrids are definitely part of what I call 'the study' – I'm calling it the study phase – and I'm just leaving it at that right now for us," Mahindra's head of international operations, Sachin Arolkar, told CarExpert at the recent launch of the petrol-engined Mahindra XUV 3XO – the brand's most compact SUV yet and a challenger to the cut-price Chery Tiggo 4 small SUV.
"From a from a powertrain migration perspective, Mahindra has primarily been a diesel [powertrain producer]. From there we added petrol [engines] over the last few years.
"Now we have in our priority list moved to the EV phase… [while] not discounting anything else that could come."
Sales of new hybrid vehicles increased by 76 per cent in Australia in 2024, and by a further 14.9 per cent in the first half of 2025.
In the first six months of this year hybrids accounted for 15 per cent of all new vehicle sales in Australia, while EVs made up 7.6 per cent (down 0.4 per cent).
Hybrid sales have also increased in the world's two largest auto markets – China and the US – and many automakers including Volkswagen (which Mahindra partnered with for its EV tech) as well as Toyota, Honda, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have wound back their previously self-imposed deadlines by which to stop selling internal combustion-engined (ICE) vehicles and sell only EVs.
Others like Audi have also committed to new development of combustion engines, while many other premium brands are developing V8-based plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Mahindra has announced a bold plan to grow its local sales six-fold by 2030 and become a top-15 auto brand in Australia by volume, and to get there it says it will launch at least one new model here annually.
The new XUV 3XO – backed by introductory pricing that makes it temporarily Australia's cheapest SUV – sits below the XUV 700 medium SUV and the Scorpio large SUV in Mahindra's local range, and is expected to become the Indian brand's top-seller here.
MORE: Mahindra eyes electric cars for Australia
MORE: Why Indian giant Mahindra turned to VW to 'jumpstart' electric push
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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Piastri 'deserved' Belgian Grand Prix victory: Norris
Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies
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Perth Now
an hour ago
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Is Lexus sending off its sexiest car in style?
The Lexus LC has received a special Pinnacle edition in Japan, which could signal the end of its flagship grand tourer after eight years in production. The name, after all, means the highest, most successful point, or the culmination. Just 100 examples each of the LC500 Pinnacle and LC500 Convertible Pinnacle will be offered in Japan, and there's no word yet on any Australian availability. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Lexus LC. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The special-edition coupe is tuned to be sportier than the more comfort-focused convertible, and features a hollow rear aluminium suspension member that Lexus says improves grip and rigidity. Both body styles get one-piece moulded front bumper canards and unique 21-inch forged aluminium wheels. They also wear a fixed rear wing made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, while Lexus also says it has fitted a retuned limited-slip differential. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The coupe is finished in matte Oboro Silver, while the convertible has Neutrino Grey paint and a Brown Silver roof. Inside, the two special-edition variants differ in colour again. The coupe has a black and white interior, while the convertible has a saddle tan and white cabin 'inspired by the scene of melting snow as sunlight hits the remaining snow and reveals the earth'. Both the coupe and convertible get exclusive embroidery on the passenger side of the dash, plus special scuff plates and Limited Edition centre console plaques. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Both the coupe and convertible are priced in Japan at ¥17,800,000 (~A$183,000), whereas the standard LC500 coupe costs ¥14,100,000 (~A$145,000) and the convertible ¥15,550,000 (~A$160,000). No changes appear to have been made to the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine powering the Pinnacle specials. This engine produces 351kW of power and 540Nm of torque, and is mated exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The LC is the grandest of grand tourers in Lexus' 36-year history. It was first previewed by the LF-LC concept in 2012, and Lexus developed a new rear-wheel drive platform for it. The coupe entered production in 2017, with a convertible following in 2020, and continues to be offered with a choice of 5.0-litre V8 or 3.5-litre V6 hybrid powertrains (though the convertible is V8-only). In June, Japanese outlet Creative Trend reported the entire LC line would end production after the last IS500 sports sedan – the only other Lexus road car to share the 5.0-litre V8 engine – rolls off the line in November 2025. Supplied Credit: CarExpert While the current LC could be on its way out, reports out of Japan suggest Lexus isn't withdrawing from the coupe segment. A Best Car Web report from June pointed to the LC being replaced along with the RC (which was axed here in 2021 but lives on overseas) by a vehicle derived from the next-generation Toyota Supra. There's been much speculation about the future of Lexus' flagship coupe. In 2021, Lexus appeared to tease a convertible resembling a next-generation LC (below, far left), while also revealing the Electrified Sport Concept (above, centre) that pointed to an electric successor. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Subsequently, reports have pointed to an entirely different flagship for the Lexus lineup: a supercar called the LFR, powered by a twin-turbo V8, based on Toyota's GT3 GR concept car and serving as a spiritual successor to the iconic LFA. This vehicle has been spied testing and, while Lexus Australia hasn't confirmed whether the car will wear the 'L' badge, it has said it's excited to see the product. To the end of June, Lexus has delivered 33 LCs in Australia this year – more than the LS sedan (6) and almost as many as the RZ electric SUV (34). Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert While a low-volume proposition, the LC still outsells the rival BMW 8 Series (13) and Mercedes-AMG SL (14). Lexus has changed strategies with its flagship grand tourer before. Its first was the SC300/SC400 – a rebadged Toyota Soarer never sold here – which was more affordable than the LS and shared components with the Toyota Supra. Produced from 1991 to 2000, it was replaced by the SC430 which was an even more comfort-focused model that was offered exclusively as a folding hardtop convertible. This exited production in 2010, leaving a gap of seven years before the LC entered production. Click an image to view the full gallery. MORE: Explore the Lexus LC showroom
