Mahindra Thar 2020 Makes Its Global Debut In India

Bookings for the new Mahindra Thar will start on October 2, when it will make its market launch

After over two years of detailed on and off-road testing, Mahindra has finally taken veils off the 2020 Thar. The global premiere of India’s own offroader was done digitally on August 15. The all-new Thar, still an icon of freedom for most, is quite stylish and carries over its legendary proportions and the masculine air.

The all-new Thar boasts of the classic Mahindra 4*4 silhouette that has been further enhanced for increased aesthetic appeal. It still has large circular headlamps, massive wheel arches (trapezoidal at the front and circular at the rear), boxy LED tail lamp units etc. The design of the seven-slot grille might be a let down for many. But with the Wrangler-ish proportions of the vehicle taken into consideration, it is obvious that Jeep won’t be happy if the grille design were to be otherwise. Well in keeping with its ‘lifestyle vehicle’ persona, the new Thar gets a convertible hardtop as well.

2020 Mahindra Thar

The new Thar comes in two trims- the AX and the LX, with the former aimed at adventurers and the latter at lifestyle UV buyers. Mahindra has made the Thar’s cabin more lifeworthy and hospitable. There are all sorts of modern-day necessities like a 7.0-inch touch screen infotainment system, roof-mounted all-weather speakers, steering mounted controls, cruise control, rearview camera, power-folding mirrors and the like intact. The rear gets a forward-facing 50:50 split bench and all the seats three-point seatbelts.

The mechanicals of the new Thar are interesting too. The vehicle has been built on a new ladder on frame chassis and has an all-new suspension setup. There are two engines and two transmissions on offer, viz-2.2L mHawk diesel and 2.0L mStallion petrol engines and 6MT and 6AT. It is for the first time that the legendary offroader gets a petrol heart, automatic transmission or a 6 speed manual gearbox. The diesel engine would let out 132hp/300Nm and the petrol a healthy 150hp/320Nm. Standard safety kit includes the likes of ABS, EBD, Isofix seat mounts, dual airbags, hill start, HDC, rollover mitigation and ESP.

2020 Mahindra Thar

The new Thar sees no compromise on its capabilities. It has a water wading depth of 650mm, approach, ramp over, and departure angles of 42, 27, and 37 degrees respectively. Mahindra will launch the Thar in India on October 2, 2020. The bookings for the vehicle will start then as well. Prices are known to be revealed upon launch. But we are expecting them to fall in the range of INR 7-15 lakh.

The Thar currently has no competition in India. However, things will change once Force Motors comes up with the new Gurkha in the coming months.

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