Mahindra launched the all-new Thar on 2nd October 2020, coinciding with Mahindra Founder’s Day. The Thar made its debut with a price tag of INR 9.80 lakh ex-showroom. At this price, the lifestyle SUV offered fierce competition to even proper 5-seater family SUVs. In just about two months from the launch, Mahindra discontinued the AX and AX Standard variants bumping up the base price up to INR 11.90 lakh ex-showroom.
The brand has since then accumulated more than 50,000 bookings, reported by us in mid-April 2021. But it is also important to note that the base price of the Thar has also been hiked to INR 12.12 lakh ex-showroom, Pune. This base price is for the Thar AX Optional, which is the current entry-level model. The AX Optional in the base trim comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with a manual transmission. The Thar also features a 4×4 driveline, which is a standard kit in the SUV.
But According to a media report, Mahindra is working on a new base variant of the Thar. Sources report that the new base variant will come with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel engine. The engine is likely to come with both manual and automatic transmissions. But the new base variant will not come with a 4×4 driveline. Instead, the SUV will feature a rear-wheel-driveline.
The main focus of the new entry-level model will be efficiency and not offroading. Therefore, speculations are that the model will come with smaller wheels and highway terrain tyres instead of all-terrain rubber. However, dimension-wise, the model will remain similar to the current Thar. The new smaller diesel motor is also likely to attract more diesel aficionados. Currently, the Thar AX Optional diesel with a 2.2-litre engine and manual gearbox starts with a price tag of INR 12.32 lakh ex-showroom, Pune.