Mahindra recently launched the Earth Edition of the Thar as we compare it to the regular model. As the name indicates, this model takes inspiration from the prominent Thar desert. Since the Earth Edition is a special avatar of the regular Thar, it is based on the LX hard top models. The buyers will get the option of choosing between petrol and diesel, AND manual and automatic transmissions. Note that the LX trim comes with a 4×4 configuration. Hence, the Earth Edition will be exclusively available with just the 4×4 drivetrain. There is a premium of Rs 40,000 over the corresponding trims of the regular Thar. Let us dive into the differences on this special version of the Thar in comparison to its donor SUV.
You may also like: Mahindra Thar 5-Door Launch Date Revealed – Will Have Luxury Car-Like Features
Mahindra Thar Earth Edition vs Regular Thar – Specs Comparison
The regular comes with three powertrain options – a 2.0-litre mStallion turbo petrol, a 2.2-litre mHawk turbo diesel and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel (exclusively for the RWD trim) engine. The Earth Edition will be limited to just the first two engine options. The turbo petrol is the more powerful of the two at 150 hp and 300 Nm, while the diesel mill churns out a decent 130 hp and 300 Nm of peak power and torque. The transmission duties are carried by either a 6-speed manual or an automatic gearbox. As mentioned previously, it only comes in a 4×4 guise with a hard top. For reference, the standard Thar also comes with all these engine-gearbox combinations. But the only addition is the 115 hp / 300 Nm 1.5-litre turbo diesel mill. It comes in RWD configuration only. It makes the Thar accessible to a wider range of audiences.
| Specs | Thar Earth Edition | Thar Earth Edition | Regular Thar (in addition to the two powertrains on Earth Edition) |
| Engine | 2.0L Turbo-petrol | 2.2L Turbo Diesel | 1.5L Turbo Diesel |
| Power | 150 hp | 130 hp | 115 hp |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 300 Nm | 300 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed MT, 6-speed AT | 6-speed MT, 6-speed AT | 6-speed MT |
| Drivetrain | 4×4 | 4×4 | 4×2 |
You may also like: Mahindra Thar Owner Shares Why She Chose DC to Modify Her SUV
Mahindra Thar Earth Edition vs Regular Thar – Price Comparison
As mentioned previously, there is a premium of Rs 40,000 for the Earth Edition in comparison to the regular donor Thar. Interestingly, each trim with the specific engine and gearbox option commands a constant premium.
| Variant | Standard Variant | Earth Edition | Difference |
| LX Hard Top Petrol MT | Rs 15 lakh | Rs 15.40 lakh | +Rs 40,000 |
| LX Hard Top Petrol AT | Rs 16.60 lakh | Rs 17 lakh | +Rs 40,000 |
| LX Hard Top Diesel MT | Rs 15.75 lakh | Rs 16.15 lakh | +Rs 40,000 |
| LX Hard Top Diesel AT | Rs 17.20 lakh | Rs 17.60 lakh | +Rs 40,000 |
You may also like: Maruti Jimny Imagined in Thar-Like Convertible Format
Exterior Comparison
There is no fundamental alteration to the exterior styling of the Thar in both versions. However, the Earth Edition gets some aesthetic distinctions. These include a fresh satin matte beige hue named ‘Desert Fury’ and highlights dune-inspired decals adorning the doors. The distinctive design continues with beige inserts accentuating the silver-finished alloy wheels, ORVMs, and grille, complemented by ‘Earth Edition’ badging positioned on the B-pillars and matte-black finish for other badges. Apart from that, the overall design and silhouette remain identical including round front headlamps, off-roading bumper, clamshell bonnet, 18-inch alloy wheels, boot lid-mounted spare tyres, hard top and vertically-oriented LED taillamps. Therefore, there is barely anything to choose from in this regard.
You may also like: Maruti Jimny 7-Seater Imagined as a 5-door Mahindra Thar Rival
Interior Comparison
On the inside, again, there are visual differentiations rather than the addition of new features. The Earth Edition gets a black and beige interior scheme in comparison to the all-black interior on the regular Thar. Other prominent features of the Earth Edition include:
- All-black dashboard with Desert Fury inserts on the AC vents and steering wheel
- Sand dunes-inspired insignia on the seat headrests
- Unique Earth Edition VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) plates starting with ‘1’
- Inclusion of dark chrome and gloss black plastics in the cabin
- 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display
- Cruise Control
- Keyless Entry
- Height-adjustable driver seat
- Dual front airbags
- ISOFIX child seat anchorages
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
- Rear Parking Sensors
- Additional accessories like 7D floor mats, front and rear armrests, a comfort kit which contains seat cushions, etc.
You may also like: Tata CURVV and 5-Door Mahindra Thar Spotted Testing Together – Who Has Better Road Presence?
You may also like: Watch 360-Degree View of 5-Door Mahindra Thar’s Interior in New Spy Video
Author’s Note
This special Earth Edition of the Thar brings a sense of excitement due to the special edition tag. Moreover, it is based on the iconic Thar desert. Hence, it carries a certain legacy and informs about its ruggedness. The fact that the VIN numbers will commence from 1 in this Earth Edition series, it is bound to add to the charm of owning a Thar from a specific lineage. There are some specific interior alterations to set it apart from the regular. All these aspects command a reasonable premium of just Rs 40,000. For those, who want a special edition model of the iconic Thar, the Earth Edition makes a lot of sense. But if you want the Thar solely for its capabilities, you might as well save some money and opt for the regular trims instead.
