The new 2020 Mahindra Thar BS6 will be launched on October 2
Mahindra & Mahindra has finally unveiled the ‘New THAR’ after what seemed like an eternity of road tests. The new-gen Mahindra Thar BS6 will be launched in India on 2 October 2020 or 75th Mahindra Founder’s Day.
Prices are expected to start just below Rs 10 lakh and cross Rs 16 lakh ex-showroom for the top variant. Unlike its BS4 counterpart that was arguably overpriced, the 2020 Mahindra Thar has enough and more to justify a 15-lakh-rupee price mark.
Currently, the second-gen Mahindra Thar, with forward-facing rear seats, is good for just four passengers carrying minimum luggage. This is not a dealbreaker since the ‘MM540 successor’ has always been a compact vehicle. However, Mahindra & Mahindra is witnessing high interest for a possible 4-door version of the offroader, especially at a time when crossovers and raised hatchbacks marketed as SUVs are contributing well to monthly sales charts.
It would take some time before we can finally see a 4-door 2020 Mahindra Thar on our roads. Again, it would most likely have no major rivals. The rumoured Maruti Suzuki Jimny 4-door would be just another FWD ‘HEARTECT’ petrol-only subcompact crossover or in other words, a boxier Vitara Brezza. It is too early to comment on what a practical 4-door Thar would offer, but one can be sure that it will be almost as capable as its original 2-door sibling.
2 door vs 4 door
The 2 door offroader comes in two formats: AX and LX. The former is meant to be a rugged, go-anywhere choice while the latter offers extra features and comfort to become a desirable buy for onroad use as well. There are six colour choices: Red Range, Mystic Copper, Galaxy Grey, Napoli Black, Rocky Beige and Aquamarine.
Available in composite hardtop, softtop and convertible avatars, the 2020 Mahindra Thar appears to have impressed everyone — maybe not so much with its front-end styling (apparently, dealers will offer a traditional Jeep-inspired 7-slat grille as an option). It is still a true offroader but in a much better and desirable package. At the moment, there are no direct rivals. Force Motors’ upcoming Gurkha BS6 would be a lesser alternative while Maruti Suzuki does not see potential in the much-awaited Jimny.
Engine choices should remain the same. Still, chances of Mahindra tweaking their output characteristics to suit a longer body are not bleak. The current 2020 Mahindra Thar 2-door gets two engine options: 2.0-litre mStallion petrol (150bhp @ 5,000rpm; 320Nm @ 1,500-3,000rpm) and 2.2-litre mHawk diesel (130bhp @ 3,750rpm; 300Nm @ 1,600-2,800rpm). Both engines come coupled to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed TC automatic transmission.