All-new Mahindra Thar To Be Unveiled On August 15

The new Thar will get the option of a factory-fitted hard-top version for the first time

Update: The new Mahindra Thar has been unveiled and it gets a lot of new features for the first time. Read all about it here.

• After endless spy shots of test mules under wraps, the official unveil date has now been announced.

• Mahindra will offer the new Thar with both petrol and diesel engines.

• It will also get an automatic gearbox for the first time.

• New Thar will come with premium features such as auto AC, touchscreen system and cruise control.

• Mahindra is expected to launch the new Thar in early October.

• Expected to be priced from Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards.

The new-gen Mahindra Thar has been caught testing multiple times in the last one year or so. Mahindra has now announced that it will be unveiled on the occasion of Independence Day 2020. Official pre-launch bookings for the new Thar will likely begin soon after its reveal.

Unlike its barebones predecessor, the second-gen Thar will come with a host of features to make it a more practical offering. The changes will be in the form of updated headlamps with LED DRLs, LED tail lamps, a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, auto AC, cruise control, steering-mounted controls, and a digital MID in the instrument cluster. All these updates will make the Thar a rugged yet practical SUV. In terms of safety, Mahindra will likely equip the Thar with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and front seatbelt reminder, making it a lot safer than before. It is also likely to get rear disc brakes for the first time.

Also Read: New Mahindra Thar Will Get These 10 Features For The First Time Ever

For the first time, Mahindra will be also offering a hard-top version of the Thar straight from the factory. It is likely to get partially removable front roof panels along with a roof-mounted speaker assembly based on previous sightings of test mules. It could also come with the option of removable door panels a la the Jeep Wrangler. Another feature to debut in the Thar will be front-facing rear seats, which will make it a more family-friendly SUV.

The second-gen Thar will get both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol option will likely be a new 2.0-litre turbocharged unit (unveiled at Auto Expo 2020) rated at 190PS while the BS6 diesel engine is expected to the 2.2-litre from the Scorpio, which makes 140PS and 360Nm. The diesel-automatic option has been spied testing and the new turbo-petrol engine is expected to offer an automatic as well. Both engines are likely to be offered with 6-speed and manual and automatic transmission options. While Mahindra is sure to offer a 4x4 drivetrain on the diesel variants, it may offer it with the petrol engine as well.

With the additional features and powertrain, Mahindra is expected to price the Thar from Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards. Its only direct rival at the time of launch will be the Force Gurkha but it could also take on the likes of the Renault Duster as well with its added comforts.

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