Mahindra confirms new Thar in the works

If you’re a fan of off-roading, and particularly of Mahindra’s go-anywhere Thar, you have reason to celebrate as Mahindra & Mahindra confirmed today that it is working on the next-generation Thar. The car has been a popular option for people who prefer venturing into rougher terrain. Launched in 2010, it received a facelift in 2015, but that has been about it.

Apart from utilising its own design team, Mahindra will use the design expertise of its acquisitions - Pininfarina and Ssangyong. For every vehicle that Mahindra develops, we will seek three proposals for its design – one each from Ssangyong, Pininfarina and from our team,” said Pawan Goenka, managing director, Mahindra & Mahindra.

The Thar will most likely be exported for certain markets as well. Under the hood will sit a new 1.5-litre petrol engine. The engine, whose development has been confirmed, is a new unit being developed jointly by Mahindra and Ssangyong for use in their respective vehicles.

The company is looking to add features such as wireless mobile charging, memory seats, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, along with intelligent and assisted driving for future Mahindra vehicles, some of which may even make it to the Thar.