Hey everyone, if you're an EV lover or just someone who dreams of pushing a car to its limits on a real Formula 1 circuit, buckle up—because I'm about to spill all the details on my unforgettable experience at Mahindra's Unlimit Weekend event. Held on September 20, 2025, at the iconic Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, this was no ordinary test drive. It was a chance to get behind the wheel of Mahindra's premium eSUVs, the XEV 9e and BE 6 and feel the thrill of an F1 track firsthand. As a huge fan of electric vehicles and F1 racing, this event was basically a dream come true. Let me take you through my day, from the buzz of arrival to the adrenaline-pumping laps.
I've always been passionate about EVs—they're the future of driving, right? Cleaner, quicker and just plain fun. But throw in my love for Formula 1 and Mahindra's Unlimit Weekend became a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I couldn't pass up. Driving premium eSUVs like the XEV 9e and BE 6 on an actual F1 track? Sign me up! Plus, it was a golden chance to connect with the EV community—people I've only known by name through online forums and social media. Meeting fellow enthusiasts in person added that extra layer of excitement. If you're into Mahindra EVs, F1 tracks or just high-octane adventures, events like this are where the magic happens.
The event had three time slots: 9 AM, 11 AM and 1 PM. I snagged the 11 AM spot and let me tell you, the drive there was already building the hype. As I approached Greater Noida, I spotted a convoy of Mahindra BEVs zipping along—owners heading to the same place, grins plastered on their faces. The vibe at the Buddh International Circuit was electric (pun intended). It wasn't overwhelmingly crowded, but the energy was palpable.
Mahindra nailed the organization. There was a comfy lounge area for all guests, complete with tasty food to keep everyone fueled up. The highlight? Gul Panag was the chief guest—she's a total EV advocate and brought such positive energy to the opening talks. She shared her passion for sustainable driving, which really set the tone for the day.
But the real gems were the interactions. I finally met some amazing EV community members like Ankush Gugnani, Asheesh Arora, Rakesh Kaswan and Anuj Purohit. We geeked out over different OEMs, their visions for the future and all things EV industry. It was like a mini think tank—debating features, sharing tips and even swapping stories about our daily drives. We also chatted with the founders of Hopcharge, Arjun Singh and Arun Rana, diving into their experiences and brainstorming ideas. And the Mahindra staff? Super approachable. We discussed their vision and upcoming plans (though I can't spill the beans due to confidentiality—sorry, folks!). No rigid demos, just genuine conversations that made the event feel personal and community-driven.
There was even a play area for kids, which was a nice touch for families. And of course, plenty of photo ops with the cars, the track and new friends. Mingling was effortless—everyone was there for the same reason: to celebrate EVs and have a blast.
Now, the main event: driving the Mahindra XEV 9e on the Buddh International Circuit. We were handed the EVs, grouped into batches (mine was about 6 cars) and led by three expert instructors. The track is a beast—5 km of twists, turns and straightaways. We did four laps total: the first to learn the layout, where the instructor guided us on nailing those high-speed curves. Laps two and three? Full throttle mode. The fourth was a cooldown.
Holy cow, the acceleration on the XEV 9e was insane—smooth, instant torque that pinned me back in the seat. We hit a max speed of 172 kmph, even with less than 20% state of charge! Handling corners felt effortless; no scary body roll, just planted stability that inspired confidence. Braking was sharp and responsive, letting me attack the turns without drama. I was second in line behind the instructor and keeping up felt like a personal victory—especially since this was my first time on an F1 track. Some slower drivers meant occasional waits at lap ends, but that just built the anticipation.