Mahindra, the Indian carmaker is poised for a significant global expansion introducing cutting-edge products in various new markets. In this endeavor, Mahindra is actively developing its BE range, XUV.e range, and the Thar.e range. Furthermore, there are future plans for the Bolero.e and Scorpio.e in the pipeline.
An especially thrilling development in this lineup is the Mahindra Thar EV. This electric vehicle garnered attention when Mahindra presented the Thar.e Concept at the Futurescape event in Johannesburg, South Africa. While the original Thar design shares similarities with the Jeep Wrangler the Thar.e Concept introduced an entirely new and radical design designed to capture attention on a global scale.
Design
This innovative design serves a dual purpose for Mahindra—it allows them to market the Thar EV globally without facing potential trademark infringement issues with Stellantis regarding the design similarities to the Jeep Wrangler. Recently, leaked design patents online unveiled the Thar EV's exteriors, confirming that the patented design aligns seamlessly with what Mahindra initially showcased in the concept form.
Adding to the intrigue interior design patents for the Thar EV have surfaced revealing both 4-seater and 5-seater layouts for the second row. The photos also show patents for the front seats, dashboard revealing instrument clusters and infotainment system layout, door pads, and gear selector design.
These leaked design patents align closely with the Mahindra Thar.e Concept interiors presented in South Africa and the official CGI debut video. Starting with the dashboard, it exhibits a multi-layered design, compact in the X-direction, bringing the first-row seats close to the almost 90-degree front windshield.
What insights do the Thar EV design patents offer?
The design reveals chunky grab handles strategically designed to facilitate easy entry and exit, especially considering the substantial 300 mm ground clearance of the vehicle and the dashboard features a few buttons for operating various vehicle functions with climate and audio controls likely integrated into a square-shaped infotainment display. The fully digital instrument screen adopts a horizontal orientation.
The gear lever stands out with a robust and macho appearance reminiscent of yacht controls and the modes available are expected to be limited to Parking, Drive, and Reverse. The front seats present a futuristic look with a horizontal headrest and an intriguing pattern on the seatback and door pads also carry a chunky, futuristic design. Sturdy grab handles are visible, indicating their usefulness when navigating rough terrains.
The Mahindra Thar EV will be offered in either 4-seater or 5-seater configurations, featuring rear captain chairs with an armrest or bench seats without an armrest. Although the patented seat designs lack headrests, it is expected that the production model will incorporate them. But whether these trademarked design aspects show up in the real manufacturing model is still up for debate.
Launch
As for the launch timeline, Mahindra Thar.e Concept showcased the use of Prismatic Blade Cells sourced from BYD, accompanied by a more powerful primary rear motor and a secondary, less powerful front motor. While the launch is anticipated around 2025, there is a possibility of the timeline extending to 2026.
It is worth noting that the automotive industry often sees modifications between conceptual designs and actual production models. Mahindra's history, including the case of the Scorpio Global Pik Up, where fanciful design elements were later omitted in the production-spec model, suggests a cautious approach when considering these leaked design attributes. As exciting as they may be, it's advisable to approach them with a degree of skepticism, perhaps even a teaspoon's worth.