The 3-door facelift model of Mahindra Thar has been seen being tested on the road, and it seems to be the final stage of testing of the car before the launch of the car. It will be closer in appearance to the bigger Thar Roxx.
Redesigned Grille and Headlights as per Thar Roxx
Most of the noticeable alterations seem to come from the front. The upcoming Thar gets redesigned grille, projector LED headlamps, and C-shaped LED DRLs similar to those on Thar Roxx. The new bumper will also have a design similar to that of the Thar Roxx, with LED cornering fog lamps.
The three door Thar’s profile remains unchanged for the most part, with the alloy wheels getting redesigned for the Thar. The rear design does not seem to have many alterations, with the tailgate-mounted spare wheel and split tailgate design being retained.
Additional Features to be Introduced
There is also speculation that Mahindra will bring additional features into the Thar’s cabin as well. These may include a TFT dashboard display system, automatic climate control system, an automatically dimming IRVM and also ventilated front seats. Level 2 ADAS might also come as standard for higher versions of the Thar, but these specifications haven’t been officially revealed by Mahindra.
Moreover, 360-degree camera, rear disc brakes and parking sensors will also be introduced along with these upgrades.
Expected Current Engine Lineup To Remain Unchanged
There is little chance of facelift altering the drivetrain. As far as engines are concerned, it is believed that the current lineup of engines including 1.5-liter turbo diesel, 2.0-liter turbo petrol, and 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine will remain unchanged. Manual and automatic transmission, as well as RWD and AWD, could also be provided.
Alternatively, Mahindra could focus on making the Thar more comfortable in day-to-day driving through an electric assisted steering system and some elements of the Thar Roxx.
When will the new Thar come out?
While Mahindra hasn’t revealed the launch date of the new Thar yet, the recent production-ready test mules indicate that the facelift is getting closer to its launch. The existing Thar’s price range is from ₹9.99 lakh to ₹17.19 lakh.
Our Take
From our preview of the upcoming Thar facelift, we get the impression that it is all about style and premium rather than an upgrade. Taking design cues from the Thar Roxx will help add some freshness to the three-door version of the SUV, and extra comfort and safety features can help in making it more user-friendly.
As far as the engines go, there will be no changes from what the Thar currently offers.