2020 Mahindra Thar automatic CONFIRMED for India

Mahindra has been teasing us with test mules and production ready models of the Thar SUV for quite some time. Mahindra had planned to launch the next-generation in the market earlier but launch plans got delayed due to the ongoing pandemic situation. Mahindra recently announced that they will be launching the all-new Thar by October this year. Now we have reports confirming that the upcoming Mahindra Thar will be getting an automatic transmission option.

Rajesh Jejurikar, Additional Director & Executive Director, Mahindra (Auto & Farm) had this to say during an earnings call,

This is a flagship initiative. It brings in the core product of Mahindra and comes in a wide variety, aggregates, automatic…the works. It will create a new segment.

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This would be the first time that Thar would be getting this feature. The next-generation Thar is based on a new platform and is longer and wider than the older version. It looks mature yet Jeep-like, and has that aggressive front end with round head lamps, LED DRLs on fenders, signature vertical slat grille, redesigned bumper with fog lamp and so on. Mahindra will also be offering a hardtop version for the higher variants whereas the lower trims would continue to get soft tops.

The inside of the next-generation Thar have also been completely updated. It now offers more room on the inside as it is wider and longer than before. The dashboard layout has been updated and it now comes with a touchscreen infotainment screen that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Cruise control, new steering wheel, updated instrument cluster are other new bits expected. There is a possibility that higher trims might get an option for front facing seat for rear passengers.

The automatic gearbox is expected to be a 6-speed torque converter unit and is likely to be seen in both petrol and diesel versions of the SUV. Upcoming Mahindra Thar will be powered by a 2.2 litre turbocharged diesel engine that generates 140 Ps and 300 Nm of peak torque. It will come with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard with a proper 4×4 transfer case. The petrol version of Thar will be powered by the 2.0 litre turbo unit from newly developed mStallion series. Power and torque outputs are likely to be quite impressive. A four wheel drive layout will be offered on petrol trims as well.

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