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Second generation
Second generation
Overview
Production	2020–present
Assembly	India: Nashik, Maharashtra
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L mStallion I4 turbo 150 hp (petrol); 2.2 L mHawk I4 turbo 130 hp (diesel); 1.5 L D117 I4 117 hp turbo (diesel)
Transmission	6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,450 mm (96.5 in)
Length	3,985 mm (156.9 in)
Width	1,820–1,855 mm (71.7–73.0 in)
Height	1,844–1,920 mm (72.6–75.6 in)

First generation
First generation
Overview
Production	2010–2020
Assembly	India: Nasik, Maharashtra
Body and chassis
Related	Mahindra Roxor
Powertrain
Engine	2.53 L "MDi3200TC DI" I4 turbo (diesel); 2.5 L NEF TCI-CRDe I4 turbo (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,430 mm (95.7 in)
Length	3,920 mm (154.3 in)
Width	1,726 mm (68.0 in)
Height	1,930 mm (76.0 in)

Mahindra Thar
Mahindra Thar
Overview
Manufacturer	Mahindra & Mahindra Limited
Also called	Mahindra Thar ROXX (5-door)
Production	2010-present
Body and chassis
Class	Compact SUV
Body style	2-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, four-wheel drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Mahindra MM530

The Mahindra Thar is a compact, four-wheel drive, off-road two-door SUV manufactured by Indian automaker Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. It was introduced in October 4, 2010 and replaced the Mahindra Major. It is the latest iteration in Mahindra's line of licensed CJ-3B Willys Jeep based off-roading oriented vehicles.

Background

Named after the Thar Desert, Thar was first introduced in 2010 as a modernized version of the Mahindra Major, which was based on the Mahindra MM540, which was in production in India since the 1980s.

The Thar was designed to be a rugged, reliable, and affordable off-road vehicle that could handle the rough terrain found in many parts of India. Its design is based on the Jeep CJ series, which Mahindra had been producing under license since the 1940s.

The Mahindra Thar has been well received by both off-road enthusiasts and the general public in India. It has become a popular vehicle for adventure enthusiasts, as it is capable of handling some of the most challenging terrains in India.

First generation (2010)

The vehicle was launched in the Indian market on October 4, 2010^[1] to fill the void left by its predecessor, the Mahindra MM540. Three variants - DI 2WD, DI 4WD, and CRDe, are available with soft-top versions. The Thar also comes with a seven-seater option, though it can be converted into a two-seater.

It was powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine that produced 63 horsepower (47 kW; 64 PS) and 182 N⋅m (134 lb⋅ft) of torque. The vehicle was available in two trim levels: the DI 2WD and the DI 4WD. The DI 2WD was a basic version that came with a soft top and no air conditioning, while the DI 4WD came with air conditioning and a hardtop.

In 2015, Mahindra introduced an updated version of the Thar called the Thar CRDe. CRDe is an acronym for "common rail diesel engine," which was a more advanced engine that produced 105 horsepower (78 kW; 106 PS) and 247 N⋅m (182 lb⋅ft) of torque. The Thar CRDe also had updated safety features, such as airbags and ABS, and was available in two trim levels: the CRDe 4WD and the CRDe 4WD AC.

Mahindra Roxor

On March 2, 2018, Mahindra Automotive North America unveiled a variant of the Thar for United States market called the Roxor at its assembly plant in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is assembled from complete knock-down kits. Unlike the Thar, the Roxor is not street legal, and is positioned as a side-by-side off-road vehicle with a top speed of 45 mph. The Roxor is powered by a 2.5 L turbodiesel, four-cylinder engine producing 62 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. An automatic transmission is available as an option. It is only available with two seats, a 148-inch body length, and a 96-inch wheelbase.^[2]

Second generation (2020)

On August 15, 2020, Mahindra introduced the second generation Thar, which was a completely redesigned version of the vehicle, and it became available for sale in October 2020.^[3]^[4]

The Thar has a new, more modern design that features a bold grille, LED headlights, and a hardtop roof. It comes with two engine options, a 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel. Both are offered with a choice of 6-speed automatic transmission (with a torque converter gearbox) made by Aisin or 6-speed manual transmission. The Thar also has updated suspension and drivetrain components including multi-link rear suspension, as well as a range of new features, such as a touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera, and an adventure statistics display.

The Thar 2020 is available in two trim levels: the base AX and the more premium LX. Customers have the option to choose between a hard top, soft top or soft top with a convertible-like folding down mechanism.^[5]^[6]

Mahindra Thar Roxx

A 5-door version, named Thar ROXX was teased by Mahindra on 20th July 2024. It was launched on August 15 2024. It will get a redesigned grille, new LED headlights and tail lamps, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment, panoramic sunroof and ADAS as well a dual-tone alloy coating.^[7]^[8]

Safety

Global NCAP crash-tested the second-generation Mahindra Thar in its basic safety specification for India of two airbags and ISOFIX anchorages in 2020 (similar to Latin NCAP 2013). It achieved four stars for adult protection, with its passenger compartment remaining stable in the offset frontal test. However, its footwell ruptured during the test. The car was penalised for instability of footwell response and for this reason Mahindra was denied the opportunity of demonstrating that sharp structures in the dashboard could prove benign to the knees of differently sized occupants. Hence Global NCAP penalised the knee areas and the vehicle could not achieve the maximum five star rating for adult protection.

Nevertheless, Mahindra requested an ECE side impact test for the Thar, in which the car passed this basic test despite not being fitted with side airbags.^[9] The driver's seat in the Mahindra Thar is high enough for the car to be exempted from this regulation, but Global NCAP required that the test be performed nevertheless. However, since the Thar lost crucial points in the frontal impact, the side impact had no influence on the result.

The Mahindra Thar was sold in a basic trim level with side-facing rear seats. These seats were not fitted with three-point seatbelts or ISOFIX anchorages and would render the vehicle unsuitable for safely transporting children, which would cause Global NCAP to award the car no stars for child occupant protection. Global NCAP warned Mahindra to withdraw this variant of the Thar from the market, failing which they would publish a result of this basic variant in addition to the tested variant. Global NCAP only agreed to publish the result of a variant with forward-facing seats after sales of the basic variant were stopped,^[10] making forward-facing seats the basic specification for the model.

Mahindra also requested Global NCAP to test the Thar's optional electronic stability control. The model met minimum performance requirements for yaw rate in the UN's test with a steering robot, but it showed unstable dynamic behaviour with tendency to roll, and Global NCAP recommended an improvement, to deliver a more robust performance in real-life scenarios.^[11]

The Thar is not fitted with side impact airbags for the body or head, even as an option.

2020 Mahindra Thar, RHD (2 airbags)
Global NCAP scores (2020)^[12]
Adult Occupant stars
Adult occupant score	12.52/17.00
Child Occupant stars
Child occupant score	41.11/49.00

The Thar Roxx for India was rated 5 stars for both adults and infants by Bharat NCAP in 2024^[13] (similar to Global NCAP 2023, based on Latin NCAP 2016).