It is no secret that there has been a lot of speculation about when fans can expect to see the much-awaited compact SUV from Mahindra. The Indian manufacturer has finally announced its plan for a launch next year.
The all-new 5-door SUV will be one of the best-selling models in Mahindra’s history and is designed to suit the varied needs of all kinds of consumers.
The Mahindra Thar is how the company has achieved a seamless blend of rugged off-road DNA, with contemporary design and refined features. The Mahindra Thar 3-Door SUV not only features iconic styling, but also comes with plenty of aftermarket options - like roof rails and grill guards.
However, despite being strong in most other regards, there is one major area where the Mahindra Thar falls short of public opinion. The Mahindra Thar is available in 3-door variant in India as well. Due to the unusual engine size, only 4 adults could fit inside and barely have enough space for their luggage.
To address this issue, Mahindra will soon be launching the 5-door version of the Thar SUV in India and this is a test model, designed to confuse the enemy. So, let's talk about everything you need to know.
Mahindra are planning to adapt their 5-door Thar to a different platform and we can't wait. It might seem surprising, but the upcoming Mahindra Thar 5-door will be based on the recently launched Scorpio-N platform. The news was confirmed by R Velusamy, Mahindra Senior VP and Head of Automotive Product Development.
Given this, it's safe to assume that the very upcoming 5-door Mahindra Thar will have the same ride and handling characteristics as the recently launched Scorpio N. However, keep in mind that the Mahindra Scorpio N platform is heavily based on the Mahindra Thar 3-door.
Safety
The new Mahindra Thar is vastly superior to its predecessor in every single way. It offers better refinement, build quality, comfort, and performance. The safety factor is also high because of its design and technology. The outgoing Thar 3-door has a 4-star safety rating from Global-NCAP. We expect the 5 door version to get a 5 star safety rating.
Comfort & Space
One of the main reasons for this idea is to offer more space for passengers and luggage. The ScorpioN platform will help them meet this target. The upcoming 5-door version of the Mahindra Thar will also be big thanks to its Penta-link rear suspension from the Scorpio N SUV.
Powertrain
The old Mahindra Thar had a lot of engine options. Some of them were more powerful and refined than others. The 2.2-litre diesel engine is the most popular choice and provides 130bhp of peak power, as well as 300 Nm of torque. The next engine option is the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit with 150bhp and 320 Nm of torque. This engine is available with the option of either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox.
However, even though the new 5-door iteration of this large 4x4 is likely to be heavier than the other body variant, we expect to see more powerful engine options that will make it more responsive. Mahindra are set to release their newest model, the Thar 5-door. With this new model, they plan to offer the more powerful version of the 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine. The powertrain is expected to generate 102bhp of peak power and 250 Nm of torque. This is probably because they are trying not to go head-to-head with Scorpio N.
Off-Road
The Mahindra Thar is an Off-Road-ready SUV. The vehicle features Shift-On-Fly four wheel drive system. The new 5-door version of the SUV is expected to have a longer wheelbase, and this will result in reduced off-road ability.
Price
We estimate the starting price of the upcoming Mahindra Thar 5-door will be close to that of the Mahindra Scorpio N SUV. The Thar SUV could have a bit of a higher price tag because it will be more expensive than the regular version. It'll also be marketed towards people who want a high-end car for their daily life.
Mahindra has got a lot of love for the Thar these past few years, and the upcoming 5-door SUV version is bound to stay on everybody's radar for a long time. Mahindra's production of the model is a concern, given that XUV700 production is not happening for 2 years.
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