According to a latest report, Mahindra could be unveiling the next-gen Thar in India on August 15. After numerous spy shots for over one and half years, we can’t wait to see the new Thar in flesh.
You are probably tired by now seeing numerous spy shots of the next-gen Mahindra Thar. In fact, Mahindra has been testing it since the start of 2019 and after numerous sightings, it even became a meme. It was expected to debut at the 2020 Auto Expo but even that did not happen. Post the lockdown, the new-gen Thar was again spotted testing a couple of times and now, we are ever so close to finally seeing this SUV in flesh. According to a latest report, Mahindra could be unveiling the next-gen Thar on August 15. With just few days left in between, we are certainly very excited.
The Mahindra Thar has already built a great reputation for itself for being a hard-core off-roader and has an enthusiast fan following. Mahindra however wants the new-gen Thar to be much more than a rugged off-roader. Mahindra intends to reach out to a wider audience with the new-gen Thar and to that effect, they have put great efforts on the new Thar to make a much more appealing package.
Until now, the Thar solely appealed to off-road enthusiasts and to those who wanted to make a statement with the Thar. It was also usually the second or third vehicle of the family, one that was not the most suitable for everyday use and one that kept you wanting in terms of features and comfort of an everyday vehicle. And that’s exactly what Mahindra intends to change with the new-gen Thar. The new Thar will be much more oriented towards everyday comfort and usability and still stay true to its DNA of being a rugged off-roader.
Mahindra has thrown in all the the creature comforts you have come to expect with modern day SUVs. A touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a a colour multi-info display in the instrument cluster, rear parking camera with parking sensors, power folding wing mirrors and power windows, automatic climate control – you will have all of these convenience features and then some more with the new Thar. This was something that really put of buyers before. It was like buying into a really old-school vehicle.
But features are not all that makes the new Thar an everyday vehicle. The new Mahindra Thar is also based on a new ladder frame chassis with a new suspension setup that will have a great bias towards on-road comfort. Although, this comes at a slight cost to off-road articulation. Mahindra will also be offering the new Thar with both soft-top and hard-top roof options for a wider appeal and practicality.
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While the previous-gen Thar was only available with a diesel engine and a manual gearbox, the new Thar will also get a petrol engine and automatic gearbox options for the first time. The Thar will in fact debut Mahindra’s new 2.0L petrol engine from the mStallion engine family and apart from a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, there will also be an automatic gearbox option. The diesel engine will be Mahindra’s 2.2-litre mHawk unit with nearly 140hp on tap. The power output has also significantly gone up to make it a better highway cruiser. There will be a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard with the diesel engine but it will also get an Aisin-sourced 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Also, both the engines will be offered with four-wheel drive system.
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We expect the 2020 Thar to reach showrooms by this festive season. With an expected starting price of about Rs 10 lakh, the new Thar sure wouldn’t be cheap anymore. But it has also grown by leaps and bounds and will also be a much larger vehicle than the one it replaces. With its improved aesthetics and nature that could appeal more to the masses rather than just off-road enthusiasts, the new Thar is a very promising product for Mahindra.
