Could the Mahindra BE 6 Be Formula E’s Next Safety Car?

Mahindra Electric SUVs recently shared an image and video promotion of its BE 6 electric SUV during the London E-Prix 2025, titled "Unlimit Performance". Though Mahindra did not officially utilise the BE 6 as the race's safety car, the feature‑packed performance and worldwide platform visibility of this vehicle have many wondering whether it is the next safety car.

Demonstration on Track: Stock SUV, Real Laps

Mahindra’s reserve driver, Jordan King, completed five fast laps of the London circuit on both race days, totalling ten laps during the event weekend. Bruno Correia, the official FIA safety car driver, conducted the standard FIA safety checks before the BE 6 hit the track. Importantly, the SUV used was a stock production model with no mechanical modifications, aside from promotional decals, offering an authentic glimpse of its capabilities under real-world, track-like conditions.

Safety Car Potential: Why BE 6 Fits the Bill

Historically, Formula E has employed electric or hybrid cars as safety cars, such as the BMW i8, MINI Electric, and Porsche Taycan. Given its high-speed stability, quick acceleration, and extensive real‑world range, the BE 6 could be theoretically used as a safety car. Mahindra's theme of "performance" and "visibility" during the event implies the brand may position the BE 6 as a future entrant.

Based on Mahindra's Electric Performance Architecture

The SUV is within the Electric Origins range, on which Mahindra's electric division developed the INGLO platform, and is now available together with the XEV 9e. Two batteries are offered: a 59 kWh unit with 228 bhp and a 79 kWh unit with 282 bhp, both mated to rear‑wheel drive setups. The 0‑100 kmph dash takes just 6.7 seconds, with real-world range up to 542 km from a single charge.

Safety Backing

Safety forms the very core of the BE 6's identity. Bharat‑NCAP gave it a 5-star rating with an excellent 31.97/32 in adult occupant protection and 45/49 for child protection. It also comes with a full-fledged Level‑2 ADAS pack consisting of Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind-Spot Monitoring and Automatic Emergency Braking, backed by up to seven airbags based on variant and multiple radars.

Will Formula E Shift To An SUV as a Safety Car?

Once dominated by agile coupes and sedans, the space of the race safety car is now being contested by SUVs. With BMW XM in MotoGP and the Aston Martin DBX 707 in Formula 1, the pattern is clear.

In Formula E, its place has been taken by the MINI Electric Pacesetter with its small, performance-packed electric package. But now that Mahindra has put the BE 6 on the track, might this mark the start of a new trend? As electric SUVs make inroads into racing, the BE 6, with its sporty stance and electric pedigree, could be the ideal candidate for the next safety car of Formula E.

Can a Made-in-India electric SUV dominate the grid? Are you hearing this, Anand Mahindra?