To reveal a car during the COVID-19 pandemic is a hectic move in itself, but to reveal an Indian off roading icon on the day of our Independance? Bold and brilliant.
The new 4×4 Thar, debuting 10 years after its predecessor, is hoping to make a serious comeback in our domestic markets. Let us look at what the off-roader has in store. In the last decade or so, India still hasn’t seen many true off roaders being launched at affordable prices. Thar has a big market to capture ahead if it. Will it deliver? Lets have a look.
The engines offered are 2.0 litre mStallion TGDi Petrol engine (150 bhp of power & 320 Nm of torque) and the 2.2 litre mHawk Diesel engine (130 bhp of power & 320 Nm of torque), both being BS6 compliant. This can be paired with either a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission mated to an authentic manual shift-on-the-fly 4×4 transfer case.
Speaking at the unveiling, MD & CEO, M&M Ltd, Dr. Pawan Goenka said: “Today, with the unveil of the All-New Thar, we rewrite history once again. The All-New Thar is firmly rooted in our rich automotive heritage and upholds the Mahindra DNA in its purest form. We are proud of our authentic SUV legacy that has been guarding the freedom of this nation by serving the armed forces since the 1950s, while simultaneously becoming the spirit of adventure and a lifestyle icon. The All-New Thar is a dynamic expression of fun, freedom and independence, and is geared up for its next adventure”.
Off-road capability and design
The Thar is a true SUV with body-on-frame construction and Independent Front Suspension & Multi-Link Rear Suspension set-up. The combination of All-Terrain Tyres and a 226mm ground clearance makes it capable of moving on rough terrains well enough.
The new Thar is dressed up in a retro style and sports new LED DRLs and tail lights.It also has dual tone bumpers and Faux carbon-fibre detailing around the AC vents & centre bezel. The Thar will additionally be offered in 3 roof options: a Hard Top, a First-in-Class Manual Convertible Top & a Fixed Soft Top, making it more versatile and adaptable to customer preferences.
Other features include One-Touch Tip & Slide Mechanism on the co-driver seat, Electrically Adjustable ORVMs, an 18 cm Touchscreen Infotainment System with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Mahindra Adventure Calendar Display, Electronic HVAC Controls, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Drizzle resistant dashboard switches, ESP with Rollover Mitigation, 3-Point Seat belts for all passengers, ABS, Rear Parking Sensors, and Hill Hold & Hill Descent Control.
I guess it is safe to say the refreshed Thar does not fall short in terms of features, not to mention some of these are first-in-class features.
Mahindra has set the official launch date for the Thar as the 2nd of October. Mahindra Thar will have a serious face-off with the upcoming Force Gurkha when they both hit markets. It will be available in 6 bold colours-Red Rage, Mystic Copper, Napoli Black, Aquamarine, Galaxy Grey and Rocky Beige. Looks like the Thar is all set to take on the mean terrains of the Indian subcontinent.
