4×4 Mahindra Thar: Mahindra & Mahindra has taken the lifestyle SUV segment in India to a whole new level with the introduction of the top-of-the-line 4×4 version of its hugely popular Thar.
This new version continues to embody the model’s iconic off-road strengths with newly added premium features and a complete customizable package for more casual off-roaders and for the “lifestyle” customers looking for a combination of capability and comfort.
The Maturation of an Exterior The Frontier’s exterior appearance is still the toddler version of the muscular design of its bigger sibling, the Titan.
The new Thar 4×4 is every inch a Thar and centres on the classic wait for it to arrive side profile inspired by utilitarian, go-anywhere vehicles.
The front grille features six vertical slats and is finished in dark chrome, while the circular LED headlamps come with unique LED daytime running light signatures.
The front bumper has been redesigned and now comes with more pronounced fog lamp housings and a silver skid plate for a more rugged look.
New colour options are Earth Green, Stealth Black and Blazing Bronze, which will join the current colour range.
Up preferably the big-wheeled-aspiration SUVs feature 18-inch wheels with a dark machined finish, hugging the new all-terrain tires that provide a decent compromise of off-road ability for reasonable on-road handling.
Modern style meets old-school attitude in this minimalistic take on beating the pavement.Available on Iron 1200 and Forty-Eight models.
Prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices for base models. Options such as color are available at additional cost.
The most important change outside is arguably the power soft top, which joins the existing manual soft top and hardtop options.
This electrically powered canvas roof can be opened at speeds of up to 20km/h for the convenience of open-air driving with all the benefits of a solid hard top.
4×4 Mahindra Thar Inside-The Most Signficant Changes
The cabin gets the most thorough updates, and is in fact what had been the original Thar’s biggest no-no.
The dashboard looks like designed for a Skoda model of these days, combining its simple Rationaly side with higher quality and placing a soft-touch material for the higher surfaces, and leatherette with contrast stitching in places.
Centre-stage is a new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system replacing the 7-inch unit, which offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as the AdrenoX connected car functions.
It is paired with a 7.5-inch digital instrument cluster with various display modes, including a display related to off-road information, comprising an incline angle indication, compass and wheel articulation.
Seat comfort is much improved with good support by way of better bolstering, increased cushioning and front row seats now get ventilation function as well – a useful feature in hot Indian conditions.
The rear bench gains a little better bolstering and a bit more recline to its backrest angle, though it’s still most comfortable for two adults, not for three.
There are more practical touches, too, such as multiple USB ports (both Type-A and Type-C), a wireless charging pad for compatible devices and improved storage solutions like larger door pockets and a more usable center console.
Higher end models come with a six speaker sound system complete with up on the roof tweeters for improved sound.
4×4 System: Traditional Muscle with Intelligent Control
At its heart this variant is Mahindra’s widely-acclaimed 4×4 system, but one that gets some good upgrades and now gets better user-friendliness and capability.
The shift-on-the-fly transfer case enables you to choose between 2H, 4H, and 4L mode effortlessly while including a mechanical rear differential lock for gnarly, off-road ventures.
Making its debut on the Thar is a terrain management system with distinct Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock modes that tune throttle response, traction-control intervention and brake-force distribution for specific conditions.
This takes the Thar’s serious off-road capability and makes it easier for novices to use, and offers useful tools for experienced drivers too.
Ground clearance is an impressive 226mm, boasting approach, departure and breakover angles of 41.8, 36.8 and 27 degrees respectively.
With a 650mm water wadding the HECTOR guarantees no fear of monsoons or shallow water crossings on adventure trips.
Powertrain Choices: More Brawn
The Thar still comes with a choice of petrol and diesel powertrains, but with newer calibration to tune output for better efficiency and refinement.
The 2.0-litre mStallion turbo-petrol engine churns out 150 bhp and 320 Nm of torque while the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel makes 130 bhp and 300 Nm of torque.
Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic, the latter now with reworked shift mapping for better shifts.
The automatic also comes with a manual mode with paddle shifters on high-end versions to give the driver greater control when out on the trails.
Efficiency makes small gains thanks to powertrain optimisations with the diesel manual good for a claimed 15.2 km/l while the petrol auto returns a competitive 12.1 km/l – so it’s not half bad – considering the fuddy-duddy dimensions and four-wheel drive hardware.
Technology & Safety = Total Protection
Safety is a lot less of a worry now, as all variants get six airbags, which include the addition of electronic stability control, hill descent control and hill hold assist over the outgoing model.
The better trims start adding things like tire pressure monitoring, rollover mitigation, and a 360-degree camera system with separate off-roading views, which are super useful if you’re not used to wheeling outside a parking lot.
AdrenoX connected car solution platform includes more than 60 connectivity features: driving emerging automakers toward modern connected cars with remote car control, geofencing, location tracking, drive behaviour tracking and analysis.
The device is also remotely diagnosable and features maintenance warnings for added convenience in ownership.
Price and Positioning in the Marketplace
The new Thar 4×4 is priced between ₹16.49 lakh and ₹23.40 lakh (ex-showroom) and comes with a premium over the newer rear-wheel drive versions that were added most recently.
This pricing means the 4×4 model will serve as the true, capability-focused model in the new expanded Thar lineup and will be aimed at enthusiasts who actually need four-wheel drive or genuinely desire off-road capability.
The price point of Thar 4×4 makes it an interesting proposition, significantly lower than the lifestyle off-roaders which are imported like the Jeep Wrangler, but it still is more premium than conventional SUVs which do not boast of its specialized off-road capability.
This deliberate positioning helps to create a clear space for the Thar as a premium but accessible lifestyle vehicle that can straddle the road less travelled with total confidence.
4×4 Mahindra Thar Conclusion : Without sacrificing identity, Now Broadens its Base of potential fans_Helper
The improved Mahindra Thar 4×4 artfully treads the line between greater refinement and maintaining the model’s core character.
By fixing some of the areas that fell short in the eyes of the hardcore fanatics, notably with regard to interior quality, the technology and on-road refinement, Mahindra has been able to transform the Thar into a more well-rounded offering, all without sacrificing the true-blue off-road body-on-frame capability that the Thar nameplate is known for.
For potential customers hungry for a daily-usable SUV that has proper weekend adventure potential and good looks to kill, the refreshed Thar 4×4 makes a lot of sense in terms of mixing emotional quotient with everyday usability.
The intelligent improvements ought to make the model more attractive to the general public, however, without sacrificing any of its classic desert cred that has made off-roaders serenade its name since its inception.
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