India’s automotive landscape is undergoing a seismic shift toward premium performance and electrification. The convergence of three distinct market forces—ultra-luxury performance hybridisation, mid-premium electric SUV accessibility, and indigenous EV manufacturing—is creating an unprecedented moment for luxury vehicle buyers. The Lamborghini Urus SE, VinFast VF7, and Mahindra BE.6 represent three different yet complementary approaches to capturing this expanding market, each targeting distinct buyer personas while signalling where India’s automotive future is heading.
Market Context: The Premiumization Wave
India’s luxury vehicle market reached 51,500 units in calendar year 2024, marking the first time the segment exceeded the 50,000-unit milestone. Within this landscape, SUVs have become the undisputed preference, accounting for approximately 65 per cent of total premium vehicle demand, fundamentally reshaping the hierarchy that once favoured flagship sedans. This shift reflects bigger structural changes: buyers now prioritise elevated seating positions for improved visibility on congested Indian roads, superior adaptability to diverse road conditions, and an enhanced sense of vehicular authority—benefits that traditional sedans cannot match.
The ultra-luxury tier (₹1.5 crore and above) represents just over one per cent of India’s total automobile market. Yet, experts project a 14.8 per cent compound annual growth through 2035, supported by rising disposable incomes and urbanisation. Meanwhile, the premium EV segment—ranging from ₹18 lakh to ₹50 lakh—is experiencing even more explosive momentum, projected to expand at 45 per cent compound growth through 2026 alone.
Three Distinct Market Positions
Premium SUVs & EVs in Indian Market: Lamborghini Urus SE vs VinFast VF7 vs Mahindra BE.6
Lamborghini Urus SE: The Ultra-Luxury PHEV Flagship
Launched in August 2024 at ₹4.57 crore (ex-showroom), the Urus SE represents Lamborghini’s answer to buyers seeking uncompromised performance within the SUV format. At this price point, the Urus SE occupies a category of its own—competing with vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Bentley Bentayga V8, and Audi RS Q8. The vehicle’s architecture centres on a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 620 bhp, paired with a 25.9-kWh battery pack housing an electric motor generating an additional 189 bhp. This hybrid configuration delivers a combined system output of approximately 800 bhp and an extraordinary 950 Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100 kmph acceleration of just 3.4 seconds, 0.1 seconds faster than the non-hybrid Urus S variant.
The PHEV powertrain grants owners a 60-kilometre pure-electric driving range at speeds up to 135 kmph, a feature that provides meaningful advantages for urban commuting while preserving the full performance envelope for highways and weekend drives. Beyond mechanical credentials, the Urus SE is customizable across over 100 exterior colours and 40 interior themes, allowing buyers to express individuality within the ultra-luxury space. The interior retains the hallmark Lamborghini technology suite—including 12.3-inch digital instruments, dual screens, Bang & Olufsen sound system, and powered seating—but gains additional logic through an expanded drive mode selector offering 11 distinct configurations, including six EV-specific modes. With a top speed of 312 kmph and fuel economy of 7.8 kmpl under normal driving, the Urus SE appeals to collectors and enthusiasts for whom the acquisition cost pales beside the ownership experience.
VinFast VF7: The Made-in-India Premium EV Disruptor
Launched in September 2025 at an entry price of ₹20.89 lakh, the VinFast VF7 occupies a radically different market niche: the premium compact electric SUV designed for technology-conscious Indian families seeking EV credentials without astronomical pricing. This positioning is strategically critical. At less than 4.5 per cent of the Urus SE’s cost, the VF7 targets buyers aspiring to premium ownership but constrained by realistic budgets—a substantially larger addressable market.
The VF7 is offered in five variants across two battery options. The base Earth model pairs a 59.6-kWh battery pack with front-wheel drive, delivering 174 bhp, 250 Nm of torque, and 438 kilometres of ARAI-rated range. The mid-tier Wind and Wind Infinity variants upgrade to a 70.8-kWh battery pack (205 bhp, 310 Nm, 532 km range), while the performance-focused Sky and Sky Infinity variants employ dual motors generating 349 bhp and 500 Nm, achieving 0-100 kmph in 5.8 seconds. DC fast charging is particularly impressive—the VF7 achieves a 10-to-70 per cent charge in just 24 minutes for the smaller battery and 28 minutes for the larger pack, directly addressing the range anxiety that historically plagued EV adoption in India.
What distinguishes the VF7 beyond raw specifications is its comprehensive warranty and incentive package. Buyers receive a 10-year or 2-lakh-kilometre battery warranty (whichever comes first), three years of complimentary maintenance, and free charging access at VGreens charging stations through July 2028. The vehicle is manufactured at VinFast’s Thoothukudi facility in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant step in India’s EV localisation strategy. Interior appointments include vegan leather upholstery, a 12.9-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, panoramic glass roofs (on higher trims), ventilated and reclinable seating, and a head-up display that replaces traditional instrument clusters. Safety is comprehensive: all variants feature seven airbags as standard, with Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities (adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring) available on upper trims.
Mahindra BE.6: The Indigenous EV with Maximum Range
Launched in December 2024, starting at ₹18.90 lakh, the Mahindra BE.6 represents India’s indigenous approach to premium electric SUV design, leveraging Mahindra’s INGLO (Indian Global) proprietary platform. Unlike the imported Urus or the Vietnamese-made VF7, the BE.6 is entirely developed, manufactured, and supported within India, a positioning that appeals to both nationalist sentiment and total-cost-of-ownership considerations.
The BE.6 is available in two battery-motor configurations. The 59-kWh variant produces 231 bhp and 380 Nm of torque with a driving range of 535 kilometres. The larger 79-kWh variant increases power to 282 bhp while maintaining the same torque figure, delivering an impressive 683-kilometre range—the longest in this comparison set. Acceleration to 100 kmph requires 6.7 seconds, positioning it between the VF7’s sportiness and the Urus SE’s hypercar-level performance. DC fast charging is strong: the BE.6 can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in approximately 20 minutes using a 140-kW charger.
The interior and technology suite emphasise connectivity and user experience. The BE.6 features a large digital cockpit, wireless charging pads, 360-degree camera surveillance with parking monitoring, panoramic sunroofs (on higher variants), dual-zone climate control, ventilated seats, and an infotainment system connected to five distinct drive modes (Range, Everyday, Race, Snow, and Custom). Safety is robust: the vehicle targets a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating, equipped with seven airbags, ABS/EBD, electronic stability control, and an ADAS suite on higher variants. Ground clearance of 207 millimetres provides modest off-road capability, while the 455-litre boot space accommodates typical family needs.
Competitive Dynamics and Market Gaps
The three-model comparison reveals a striking market segmentation. The Urus SE exists in an exclusive tier where competitors are countable on one hand—vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Bentley Bentayga V8, and Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S. At ₹4.57 crore, the purchase decision transcends rational specification comparison; it reflects identity, heritage, and the psychological gratification of ownership. This market is constrained primarily by wealth distribution rather than product availability.
The VF7 and BE.6, conversely, operate within intensely competitive spaces. The VF7’s ₹20-25 lakh positioning directly opposes the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and emerging Tesla Model 3 Highland variants, while the BE.6’s ₹18-26 lakh range overlaps with the MG ZS EV and upcoming Kia EV3. What differentiates these platforms is not raw power—neither vehicle rivals combustion-powered performance luxury—but rather real-world practicality: charging speed, warranty comprehensiveness, after-sales support robustness, and total cost of ownership calculations.
An intriguing gap exists in the ₹30-50 lakh segment. Mahindra’s forthcoming BE.07 (expected mid-2026) and Mahindra XUV e8 (six-seater, 500+ km range, ₹25-28 lakh projected) will likely fill this void, but currently, no vehicle directly competes with established luxury sedans in the premium EV space at this price point. This gap presents an opportunity for imported offerings or new entrants willing to invest in localisation.
Technology and Capability Convergence
Across all three vehicles, a remarkable convergence in core technologies is apparent. All offer Level 2 autonomous driving features (adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assistance, collision mitigation). All incorporate large touchscreen interfaces (12.3 to 12.9 inches) with wireless smartphone integration. All include comprehensive airbag suites and modern safety systems. Thermal management systems, regenerative braking, and OTA (over-the-air) update capabilities are becoming standard across segments rather than premium differentiators.
The meaningful differences lie in execution and integration rather than raw capability. The Urus SE’s 11 drive modes versus the BE.6’s five, or the VF7’s proprietary vegan leather versus the Urus SE’s customizable interior leatherwork, represent nuances that matter intensely to individual buyers but do not fundamentally alter the competitive calculus.
Market Growth Drivers and Headwinds
India’s luxury vehicle market confronts conflicting signals as 2026 begins. Luxury car sales (above ₹50 lakh) grew only 1.6 per cent in 2025, compared to the broader passenger vehicle market’s 10.5 per cent expansion, a slowdown attributed to geopolitical tensions, volatile stock markets, and rupee depreciation pressuring import costs. However, industry executives from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi anticipate recovery in 2026, driven by GST reform implementation and improved macroeconomic visibility. BMW Group India reported over 2,000 pending orders following the October 2025 tax announcements, signalling strong latent demand.
The premium EV segment specifically benefits from tailwinds unique to electrification. India crossed the 10 per cent EV market share threshold in 2025, and policy support through FAME III—featuring ₹12,000 crore in promotion outlay and GST reductions to two per cent on EV components—continues to strengthen. Battery costs have declined below $100/kWh globally, reducing manufacturing economics pressure. Public charging infrastructure has expanded to over 12,000 stations nationally, with Indian Oil, Tata Power, and BP Pulse adding capacity.
Strategic Implications for Buyers and the Market
For individual consumers, the choice among these three vehicles should be guided by fundamental financial and lifestyle parameters rather than specification chasing. The Lamborghini Urus SE appeals to ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) for whom ₹4.57 crore represents 5-10 per cent of investable assets and for whom the vehicle functions asan experiential asset and identity marker. The target demographic includes successful entrepreneurs, business founders, and inherited-wealth holders concentrated in metropolitan areas (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad).
The VinFast VF7 and Mahindra BE.6 target high-net-worth (HNW) segments—professionals, business owners, and salaried executives with household incomes exceeding ₹1-2 crore annually. For this cohort, the vehicle must balance multiple criteria: charging infrastructure accessibility, servicing network convenience, warranty protection, resale value confidence, and family space requirements. The VF7’s made-in-India manufacturing and comprehensive warranty provide psychological reassurance regarding long-term support, while the BE.6’s maximum range (683 km) and indigenous platform appeal to buyers prioritising self-sufficiency and domestic economic contribution.
From a market structure perspective, the three vehicles signal a healthy ecosystem where ultra-luxury retains exclusivity while premium segments democratize electrification. This architecture encourages brand-ladder climbing: a BE.6 buyer might aspire to a Porsche Taycan (₹1+ crore) in their next cycle, while a VF7 owner might graduate to a Lamborghini Urus S. The absence of direct competition preserves margin integrity for each manufacturer while expanding the addressable premium market.
Conclusion
The convergence of the Lamborghini Urus SE, VinFast VF7, and Mahindra BE.6 in India’s 2025-2026 timeline represents more than product launches—it signals an automotive inflexion point. India’s luxury buyers are no longer constrained to European imports or homogenised global platforms; instead, they face expanding choices across price tiers and powertrain philosophies. The Urus SE proves that hybrid technology can coexist with hyperperformance in luxury segments. The VF7 demonstrates that Vietnamese manufacturing can deliver technology parity with European EVs at a fraction of the cost. The BE.6 establishes that indigenous platforms can achieve 680+ kilometre ranges while maintaining affordable entry points.
As 2026 progresses and GST reforms cascade through pricing, as charging networks expand into Tier-2 cities, and as manufacturing capacity scales, these three vehicles will define the competitive terrain upon which subsequent launches will battle. For content creators and digital entrepreneurs tracking automotive trends, understanding these dynamics—market segmentation, technology convergence, policy impact, and consumer psychology—provides analytical depth that elevates reporting from specification enumeration to strategic insight.
Must Read: Mahindra XUV 7XO Launch Report: A Premium SUV Milestone for India’s Evolving Automotive Market
Reference Links:
- https://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/vinfast-vf7-india-price-starts-at-rs-2089-lakh-437069
- https://www.cardekho.com/mahindra/be-6/specs
- https://auto.hindustantimes.com/new-cars/lamborghini/urus
- https://www.motozite.com/blog/best-luxury-suvs-in-india-2026/
- https://www.autocarindia.com/industry/over-45000-luxury-cars-suvs-sold-in-fy2024-up-205-percent-431507