The Mahindra Thar, India's most popular lifestyle off-roader, has seen a surge in popularity with its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variants. Introduced last year at an affordable price, these variants now account for nearly half of the Thar's sales. With around 6,000 units sold monthly, approximately 3,000 are RWD models, equipped with either a 1.5-litre diesel or a 2-litre turbo-petrol engine.
Engine Capacity Constraints
Mahindra currently faces a challenge in ramping up production for the RWD variants due to limited capacity to manufacture the 1.5-litre diesel engines. This constraint might lead to longer waiting periods for potential buyers. The Thar's manufacturing process has primarily been centered around the 2-litre turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines since its launch in 2020. Adapting to the new 1.5-litre diesel engine for the RWD variants requires time and adjustments in the manufacturing process.
Engine Options and Features
The RWD Thar variants offer a choice between the 1.5-litre diesel engine, delivering 118 PS and 300 Nm of torque, and the 2-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing 152 PS and 300 Nm of torque. The diesel engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, while the turbo-petrol unit is available with both 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions.
The Thar is well-equipped with features such as a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wired Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, cruise control, manual AC, steering-mounted controls, and essential safety features like dual front airbags, hill descent control, traction control, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
Future Prospects and Rivals
Mahindra is also working on a larger, five-door version of the Thar, expected to debut in the second half of 2024. This new model will likely come with additional features such as a digital driver's display, a sunroof, and dual-zone AC.
Priced between Rs 11.25 lakh and Rs 14 lakh (ex-showroom) for the RWD variants, the Mahindra Thar competes with the Maruti Jimny and the Force Gurkha. However, both rivals currently offer only 4WD variants.
The rear-wheel-drive variants of the Mahindra Thar have proven to be a hit among buyers, offering an affordable entry into the world of off-roading with the added allure of the Thar's rugged looks and road presence. As Mahindra works to increase production capacity, the popularity of these variants is expected to continue growing.