The Mahindra has been a symbol of rugged adventure and a statement of lifestyle in the Indian Automotive industry. The company is now set to receive its first major update since the second-generation model which premiered in 2020. Through this blog, we are going to see the changes, specifications and price of the forthcoming “Mahindra Thar 3-door facelift based on official announcements, press leaks, and reliable car news sources.
Mahindra Thar’s Model & Drivetrains
The new model is officially named the Mahindra Thar 3-door Facelift, and it is highly expected that this car will also have both RWD (Rear Wheel Drive) and 4-Wheel Drive options similar to their current lineup. The 4WD includes shift-on-the-fly capability and an electronic brake-locking differential which might improve the model’s off-road capabilities.
Engine Specification, Variants & Powertrain Options
The facelifted Thar will continue to use the powertrain options that Mahindra had successfully applied in the Indian market.
The Mahindra will offer a total of 3 engine options along with the fuel types.
2.0-Litre mstallion Turbo Petrol Variant
The petrol variant comes with a 1997cc 4-cylinder engine that produces 151hp of power at 5000 rpm and a torque depending upon the transmission choice: 300Nm for the Manual and 320 Nm for the Automatic.
The transmission option consists of both a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter providing options for either RWD or 4WD.ARAI claimed a mileage of 12.4 km/l with a 57-litre fuel tank.
2.2-Litre mHawk Diesel Variant
The flagship diesel model provides a 2.2-litre mHawk turbocharged diesel engine, which has 2184cc of displacement across four cylinders. This engine produces 131bhp at 3750 rpm, and generates a consistent 300 Nm of torque at a range of 1600-2800 rpm.
Similar to the petrol variant, the 2.2-litre diesel includes a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. It provides options for either RWD or 4WD. According to ARAI, it can offer a mileage of 15.2 km/l, and the same fuel tank capacity.
1.5-litre Diesel Variant
The small 1.5-litre turbo-charged diesel engine, a capacity of 1497cc and four cylinders, The small displacement delivers a massive 118 bhp (at 3500 rpm), while delivering the same 300 Nm of torque as the larger diesel, available between 1750-2500 rpm.
This variant is positioned as a Rear-Wheel drive option mainly to give Tax Benefits for sub-4-meter vehicles.
It is only paired with a six-speed, manual transmission. While specific fuel economy figures were not provided, this engine is expected to provide competitive fuel efficiency given its smaller capacity and the tuning of the auxiliary emissions unit.
Mahindra Thar 3-door Facelift: Features, Design, and Specifications
The all-new Mahindra Thar 3-door facelift will receive substantial upgrades in both its interior and exterior design. A front Fascia – inspired by the Thar Roxx model- will feature a new front light, grille with horizontal slats, circular headlamps with projectors, daylight running lights, and new bumper styling.
The car will be equipped with an all-new prominent 10.25-inch touchscreen replacing the current 7-inch unit. It will likely operate on the Advanced AdrenoX suite, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A fully digital instrument cluster and flat-bottom steering wheel have been added to enhance the driving experience.
Several additional potential highlights include: repositioned power window switches integrated into the door pads, wireless charging, ventilated front seats, and a 360-degree camera (usually available in high-end models).
It is expected that the car will retain its dimensions with dimensions of 3985mm long, 1820mm wide, 2450mm wheelbase, and 226mm ground clearance.
While the three-door configuration does limit cargo capacity somewhat, rear seats are designed to fold down for added practicality. A side-hinged boot lid continues to be one of its distinctive features.
Pricing, Competition and Launch Date
The facelifted Mahindra Thar 3-door will be priced at a little more premium, starting at approximately ₹12 lakh (ex-showroom) on the lower end. This lifestyle SUV will continue to dominate its niche, but it will be important to analyse the competition.
The key analysis will be the Mahindra Thar 3-door facelift vs Jimny vs Gurkha. The Maruti Jimny has a more practical 5-door layout and offers on-road comfort.
Whereas the Force Gurkha is a hardcore off-road rival, with features like factory-fitted differential locks.
To overcome these challenges, the Thar offers more powerful engine options and is planning to become more user-friendly for urban environments and weather situations to compete with its direct competitors.
As per the current timeline, Mahindra has been testing camouflaged prototypes on public streets, indicating they are at the end of their pre-production period. While the exact launch date of the Mahindra Thar Facelift launch date has not been unveiled, we can expect this car on the roads during the festive seasons or by the end of this year.
The Summary
The improved Mahindra Thar, now with a tech-rich cabin and new exterior, has the opportunity to reinforce its position as India’s best lifestyle SUV.