The Mahindra Thar was recently launched in an all-new avatar. The second-gen model not only builds on its predecessor’s off-road abilities, but also widens the appeal of the rugged SUV concept.
With an evolutionary design, new running gear and greater creature comforts, there’s a lot to talk about the new Thar. So, here’s a quick round-up of the five most significant things to know.
- New Thar is better equipped to appeal to a wider audience
- Gets front-facing rear seats, petrol engine and auto gearbox for the first time
- Priced attractively at Rs 9.80-13.75 lakh (ex-showroom, India)
1) 2020 Mahindra Thar design
Retaining the chunky proportions of its predecessor, the new Thar comes off as a modern interpretation of the original model. Key design details that mark out the second-gen off-roader include the new, seven-slot grille, beefy front bumper, fog lamps, LED DRLs, LED tail-lamps, larger 18-inch wheels and the choice between a soft top and hard top roof.
The 2020 Thar has grown in almost every dimension and sits on a new ‘Gen 3’ body-on-frame chassis.
2) 2020 Mahindra Thar features and variants
Mahindra offers the new 4x4 in two trim lines. The AX is targeted at off-road enthusiasts and packs in all the basics, including power windows, power steering, air conditioner, central locking, rear parking sensors and 16-inch steel wheels. The range-topping LX, on the other hand, is meant for the lifestyle buyers and is equipped with LED DRLs, fog lamps, 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, tyre pressure monitor, ESP and 18-inch alloy wheels. There’s also an AX Optional variant that gets a few features from the top-spec Thar.
Notably, the entry-level AX comes with a fixed soft-top and side-facing rear seats. The better equipped AX Optional and LX variants sport a front-facing layout for the rear seats and also get the option of soft top and hard top roofs.
3) 2020 Mahindra Thar off-road ability
In place of the leaf-spring setup of the erstwhile Thar, the new model gets coil springs at all four corners, with double wishbones at the front and multi-link suspension at the rear. Part-time four-wheel drive, with a manual shift transfer case, is a standard offering. A mechanical locking rear differential is part of the package as well.
Though the approach angle has reduced by about 2 degrees, to 41.8 degrees, in the 2020 model, the ramp breakover angle has improved from 24 degrees to 27 degrees and the departure angle from 27 degrees to 36.8 degrees, compared to the outgoing Thar CRDe. Ground clearance and water-wading capacity have also been bumped up to 226mm (up 26mm) and 650mm (up 150mm), respectively. Consequently, Mahindra claims that the new Thar is more capable off-road than its antecedent.
4) 2020 Mahindra Thar engine-gearbox
Mahindra’s next-gen SUV packs in a set of all-new powertrains, and for the first time, buyers have the option of a petrol engine and automatic gearbox. Under the hood, you can find a 152hp, 2.0-litre mStallion turbo-petrol engine and a 132hp, 2.2-litre mHawk turbo-diesel. Though the choice of a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox is available with both engines, Mahindra has reserved the convenience of automatics exclusively for the top-end LX trim.
5) 2020 Mahindra Thar price
Mahindra had launched the new Thar last month, with the petrol version being priced from Rs 9.80-13.55 lakh, and the diesel from Rs 10.65-13.75 lakh (ex-showroom, India). However, the automaker recently put the bookings for the entry-level Thar AX on hold, to clear the order backlog for higher variants that are in greater demand. Mahindra has managed to rake in over 20,000 bookings for the SUV in about a month since its market debut.
With the latest three-door model already off to a strong start, Mahindra has greenlit the development of a five-door Thar, which should appeal to the more traditional SUV buyers as well.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
Rivan RS 
Lenny D'sa
Saptarshi Mondal
