India's 3-Wheeler Design Is Evolving - UDO And Montra Auto Are Proof
Mahindra launched its latest electric three-wheeler last week- the UDO. This electric autorickshaw got a lot of attention for its design. It packs more charm and looks more sophisticated than any of its rivals. Mahindra’s design team managed to pump character and visual appeal into a product that belongs to a segment that’s generally considered mundane. Was Mahindra the first to attempt this? No! Montra Electric’s Super Auto range was also a departure from conventional designs. Mahindra seems to have taken things to a whole new level and added more layers to it. These are two classic examples of India’s evolving three-wheeler design landscape.
Autorickshaws play an important role in our lives. Most of us have grown up riding them. We have become so accustomed to their design and the overall experience that if we say ‘Ape’, you’ll automatically think of the jerky ride and the noisy engine!
On the design front, autorickshaws have remained almost unchanged for decades. They have all had the familiar silhouette and recognisable shape, despite badge and branding diversities. Even when electric autorickshaws became a thing, design remained (mostly) boring and old-school. Mahindra has changed this with the UDO.
The UDO looks interesting. Mahindra says that its design has been inspired by airplanes and even goes to the extent of calling it ‘autoplane’. People’s obsession with airplanes and fighter jets when talking about design, remains inexplicable.
That said, the UDO has clean panels and neatly drawn lines. It looks good and seems to have a decent focus on aerodynamics. As Mahindra design chief Pratap Bose himself said in a recent interaction, ensuring aerodynamic efficiency is key in modern automotive designs. In the case of EVs, aerodynamics has a direct impact on the vehicle’s real-world range.
The UDO has bold headlamps connected together by a stylish applique, good-looking, thick mirrors, a large windscreen with a rake that ensures maximum aero efficiency, chunky rear bumper, and stylish tail lamps connected by a red applique. The rear windscreen is larger than what we see on other Mahindra e-autos. The passenger cabin gets uniquely styled doors and body graphics. All in all, there is a sense of refinement to this design. Bose’s signature can be seen in the overall design- particularly in those lines and surfacing.
The UDO is based on Mahindra’s new ‘IntelliCore' design philosophy, which places intelligence at the core of the design. Arriving at the final form wasn’t easy. Mahindra’s design team explored 1000-1500 sketches before finalising the shape. The process reportedly took over two years to complete. It was carried out at Mahindra’s design studio in Mumbai- the Mahindra India Design Studio (MIDS).
Bose believes that ensuring comfort and maximising practicality for users (driver and passengers) is also part of a good design. The team put a strong focus on ensuring ample room for all occupants and incorporating things like charging ports, and small storage spaces into the larger design.
The door of the passenger cabin, for example, comes with integrated bottle holders! There’s even a small boot. The UDO feels closer to a small car than most electric three-wheelers we’ve experienced. This is an evolution that we would all welcome, as passengers.
Even the driver’s cabin is well-designed. The seat is wide and there is enough leg and knee room for the driver. The vehicle comes with a digital instrument cluster, 12V charging socket, reverse parking camera (on higher trims), bottle holder, reading lamps and more.
This electric autorickshaw has a full monocoque construction that offers more structural integrity. It is thus safe and comfortable. Even the overall stance feels more solid on the Mahindra. It comes with an independent rear suspension and dual forks at the front. It has a ground clearance of 215mm.
Now, let’s take a look at the Montra Super Auto that first launched in India in September 2022. It had an interesting design. It looked different from every other autorickshaw that was on sale back then. The design itself led to a lot of adoption, especially in southern India.
In October 2025, the company launched the ‘new’ Super Auto that fine-tuned the design further, reportedly leading to a stronger sales momentum. The new model looks even more interesting with its LED headlamps, tail lamps and an improved version of the iconic body design. Even this autorickshaw offers features like mobile phone chargers and a glove box. It may not match the UDO with its visual appeal though. Again, that is subjective!
Both the Montra and Mahindra UDO are departures from usual autorickshaw designs. Some may now ask ‘ Do operators really value aesthetics?’. The better question is- why wouldn’t they? If a vehicle looks good and feels comfortable and doesn’t command excessive price premiums for the same, it becomes very appealing to the buyer. And good looks and more comfort only make life better for passengers.
Bottom line, design is no longer a luxury. It’s part of value. It is good to see brands realising this and innovating the space with a customer-centric mindset.