Mahindra's Vision S Slips Out: Pratap Bose's Deleted Story Hints at Production SUV
Mahindra's Chief Design Officer Pratap Bose briefly posted an Instagram story showing a blue scale model SUV alongside a seating buck, then deleted it. Enthusiast Kumar Dushyant grabbed a screenshot before it vanished. The image is widely believed to preview the production version of the Vision S, the first NU_IQ-platform SUV headed to showrooms.
What was announced
Mahindra is developing a new generation of ICE and electric SUVs on its NU_IQ modular platform, which supports multiple body styles and powertrain configurations. The architecture was previewed last year through four concepts: Vision S, Vision T, Vision SXT and Vision X. Of these, the Vision S is expected to be the first to reach production, with test mules already spotted multiple times on Indian roads.
A tall, premium sub-4m Mahindra with seven-seat ambitions is uncharted territory, and the brand's own history at this size is not encouraging.
The Vision S is positioned as an advanced sub-4m SUV that sits above traditional compact SUVs like the Brezza, Nexon and Venue. On 31 May 2026, Mahindra's Chief Design Officer Pratap Bose posted an Instagram story showing a blue scale model of an SUV alongside what appears to be an interior seating buck. The story was deleted shortly after publication. Before it disappeared, automotive enthusiast Kumar Dushyant captured the image and shared it on social media, where it spread rapidly through Indian car forums.
The leaked image is being read as the closest look yet at the production evolution of the Vision S concept. The interior buck visible alongside the exterior model has fuelled speculation that the production car will offer a seven-seat layout, despite its sub-4m footprint. Mahindra has not officially commented on the image or confirmed a launch timeline for the Vision S. Pricing, powertrain options and reveal date all remain unconfirmed at this stage.
The Car Jury verdict
This is a controlled leak, not a slip. Design chiefs do not casually post and pull pre-production models; the brief visibility window is enough to get the internet talking without committing Mahindra to anything. The smarter question is what the Vision S actually has to clear. Team-BHP rightly reminds buyers that "Mahindra tried body-on-frame sub-4m utility vehicles as well, but the Quanto UV300 and the Novo Sport did not become mainstream successes." That history matters: a tall, premium sub-4m SUV with seven-seat ambitions is uncharted territory at this price point.
Mahindra's recent form gives it a fighting chance. Our BE6 verdict is a clear BUY and the Scorpio N remains the segment benchmark. If the production Vision S inherits even half that design discipline, the Brezza and Nexon should worry. Hold your booking amount until we see the real car.
