Latest Update: Mahindra has launched the second generation Thar at a starting price of Rs 9.80 lakh (ex-showroom). Click here to read the full story.
Mahindra Thar is undoubtedly an iconic SUV. The fan following that the SUV has had despite retaining the same boxy silhouette perfectly justifies the craze for the Mahindra car. Auto experts, from the last six months, were speculating about the launch of the Thar. Mahindra made all of us wait and chose the iconic event of Independence day to take the wraps off.
Gladly for us, Mahindra has declared the launch date (2nd October) and we won’t need to put our guessing hats on again. The unveil bought across a host of changes including the design, features, seating, and even the roof type, you can head over to this article, in case you haven’t already to get the idea of what’s all-new about Thar.
Through this particular article, we will discuss the variants in detail, as a couple of variants on offer as the choice, have individual characters of their own, and are customized to suit completely different needs.
2020 Mahindra Thar: Variants Overview
The Thar will be offered in two trims: AX (Adventure) and LX (Lifestyle). The character of the variants is perfectly explained by the names. While the adventure variant is an off-road-focused trim, the LX is pitched as a more family-friendly offering, perfectly suited to general family needs.
The Adventure badging is further offered in two trims:- base AX AC variant and mid-spec AX Opt variant. The LX badging is offered with only a single variant, which will be the top-trim of the Thar.
1. Thar AX AC
As far as feature list and roof type go this variant will be closest to the outgoing Thar at least if not better.
Features:- Some features offered with the AX AC variant include fixed soft-roof, monochrome instrumentation cluster, manual AC, vinyl upholstery, manual IRVMs, and 16-inch steel wheels. Even on the safety front, Thar will be better equipped than ever, getting important safety features like two front airbags, Antilock Braking System, central locking, seat belt reminder, speed alert system, and rear parking sensors are offered as standard.
Seating Configuration: The seating configuration offered with the base variant is exactly similar to the outgoing Thar with 6-seat options (2 Front & 4 side-facing)
Mechanicals: As far as the engine options are considered, fortunately, the base variant features both the 2.2 litre Diesel engine (130 PS/300 Nm) and the newly introduced 2.0-litre Turbocharged petrol engine (150 PS/320 Nm). Both these engines will be offered with a 6-speed manual transmission only. The base Thar variant features a mechanical locking differential to assist it with the four-wheel-drive duties.
2. Mahindra Thar AX Optional
- Features over AX AC Variants:- The optional variant of the AX badging comes across a more premium AX badged trim as it comes equipped with all the features that the base variant gets. In addition, it gets more premium features like convertible roof or hardtop option, remote keyless entry (offered with hard-top), height-adjustable driver seat, reclining mechanism, height-adjustable driver’s seat, 50:50 rear split seat, ISOFIX child seat mounts.
- Rooftops options:- The rooftops on offer differ with the choice of engine option, the petrol option will get a manual convertible roof and the diesel engine option can opt with both manual convertible or hard-top.
- Seating Configuration: It is important to note that the AX optional variant gets a four-seater configuration (2 front + 2 front-facing seats at the rear with a roll cage).
- It will also get a host of other additions that increases its utility as a take-anywhere off-roader. These include removable doors for off-road usage, tow hitch protection, welded tow hooks in front, and the rear.
- Engine options:– The mid-spec trim gets the same engine and transmission options like the base Thar AX AC variants will feature the same engine and transmission options.
3. Mahindra Thar LX
Pitched as the family-friendly Thar variant, an extensive list of features on offer with the LX trim ensure that it ticks all the boxes to be asserted as a practical family car.
Feature: -Over the AX optional trim, it gets an extensive feature update list including steering mounted audio controls, USB charging, cruise control, colored MID display, electric ORVM adjustment, touchscreen infotainment system with apple carplay and android auto connectivity support, height+lumbar adjustable front seats, LED DRLs, premium fabric upholstery, etc. Some interesting additional bits that demand extra attention include a track of adventure stats and an adventure calendar for a better off-roading experience. In addition to this, electronic HVAC switches come across as a subtle addition.
Important Safety feature additions:- The LX variants get a host of advanced safety features in order to increase its family-friendly appeal, these includes ISOFIX Child seats mount, Electronic stability program, tire pressure monitoring system with tire direction indicator, hill hold assist, hill descent assist, etc.
Cosmetically more appealing:- Even cosmetically, it has been given additional design elements to make the LX trim stands out visually, the design additions include a Dual-tone bumper, molded side-steps, larger 18-inch wheels (255/65 section tires) that get an alloy treatment.
Seating configuration and Rooftop options:- The LX variant like the AX (O) feature a four-seater configuration, and also is offered with the choice of both convertible and hard-top roof
- Engine and Transmission Options:- The 2.2 Litre diesel engine option will be offered with both a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission, whereas the 2.0 Litre turbocharged petrol unit will be offered with only an automatic transmission.
Verdict
For a conclusive verdict, we will still wait for the final prices as a lot of selection dynamics will drastically change with the announcement of prices. We expect its base model to be priced at a premium of Rs 50,000 over outgoing Thar, which means it can be launched at the introductory price of Rs 10 Lakhs (ex-showroom).
With the updated feature list and a lot more practical cabin on offer, the price hike can most definitely be seen growing. Coming to the variants again, the way they have been designed by Mahindra they define their purpose aptly and will not be much of a headache opting for the variant according to the requirements.
