The Mahindra Thar will soon have a new powertrain option, along with a new variant addition as well. The Thar is all set to receive a 1.5-litre diesel engine. This will join the current line-up that consists of 2.2-litre diesel and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines. The addition of the 1.5-litre diesel engine will also help the Thar qualify under the lower tax bracket. As it is under four metres long.
Thar With A New Entry-Level Variant
The 1.5-litre engine in the Thar is the same 1,497cc unit that currently does duty in the Marazzo. It will churn out 117 HP on the Thar. This engine will use a five-speed manual gearbox only, with no automatic on offer. Additionally, this engine will also come in 2WD guise. Thus no option for a 4WD system as seen on the more expensive Thar 2.2-litre diesel. This, along with the benefits of a sub-four-metre vehicle will help Mahindra price the Thar more aggressively.
Recent spy shots of the interior of the Thar 1.5 diesel clearly reveal that the low-range gear lever on the centre console has been replaced with a new storage console.
Thar 2.0 Petrol Too Coming In 2WD
Apart from the new 1.5-litre diesel engine, Mahindra is also offering a 2WD variant on the Thar. This will come along with the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. Similar to the 1.5-litre diesel 2WD, the Thar 2.0 petrol 2WD will also come with a six-speed manual gearbox only.
Thar 2WD Could Retail under 10 Lakh
Back when Mahindra had launched the now-discontinued Thar AX. It used to retail at INR 9.8 lakh (ex-showroom). This was for the entry-level soft-top variant equipped with the 2.0-litre petrol engine. The AX trim with the 2.2 diesel manual Mahindra Thar 2WD launch timeline. As per reports, the Thar 2WD with the smaller 1.5-litre diesel and the 2.0 petrol will arrive sometime in January 2023.
Also Read: 2023 Mahindra Thar 5-door back seat space revealed in spyshots.
