Mahindra has officially introduced the Thar facelift, showcasing nuanced exterior enhancements and a variety of new features. These modifications, encompassing both the vehicle’s exterior and interior, draw inspiration from the 5-door Thar Roxx model.
The Thar facelift offers a selection of turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel powertrains. The mStallion T-GDi turbo-petrol engine is a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder unit that generates 152 bhp and 300 Nm of torque when paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, while the 6-speed automatic transmission version offers a slightly higher torque output of 320 Nm.
The diesel lineup includes two power outputs: The mHawk 130, a 2.2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder unit that delivers 132 bhp, and the D117, a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder unit producing 119 bhp. Both diesel engines provide 300 Nm of torque. The 2.2-litre diesel is available with both 6MT and 6AT options, whereas the 1.5-litre diesel is only available with a 6MT.
Regarding engine availability per variant, Mahindra has adopted a strategic approach. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is exclusive to the high-end LXT variant. This engine can be paired with either manual or automatic transmissions, and customers have the option of 4WD in both transmission configurations. However, in the petrol RWD configuration, the Thar is exclusively available with the automatic transmission.
The 1.5-litre diesel engine is offered in the base AXTR and LXT trims, but is restricted to manual transmission and rear-wheel drive (RWD). The 2.2-litre diesel engine is exclusively available in the top-tier LXT variant. It comes with both manual and automatic transmission options, and features standard 4WD, catering to serious off-road enthusiasts.
Key features for the AXT variant include iconic headlamps, LED tail lamps, R16 steel wheels, a new dashboard and steering wheel design, rear AC vents, vinyl seat upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, A-pillar entry assist handle, power windows in front door trims, an electronic brake locking differential for RWD models, remote keyless entry, an internally opening fuel lid, rear parking sensors, dual airbags, and ESP with roll-over mitigation.
The LXT variant enhances the AXT with R18 deep silver alloy wheels, front fog lamps with DRLs, dual-tone bumpers, moulded side foot steps, fabric seat upholstery, electric driveline disconnect (4WD variants), an HD touchscreen infotainment system (26.03 cm), Android Auto & Apple CarPlay compatibility, a 4-speaker plus 2-tweeter sound system, a new steering wheel with audio and phone controls, Adventure Statistics Gen II, a rear view camera, cruise control, hill hold and hill descent control, ABS with EBD and brake assist, a rear demister, electric ORVM adjustment, a rear wiper and washer, Tyretronics (TPMS) + TDMS (Tyre Direction Monitoring System), and a dead pedal (for AT variants).