Phew! The 2020 Mahindra Thar Could FINALLY Have A Reveal Date

UPDATE: Mahindra has confirmed that the 2020 Thar will be revealed on August 15.

• The Thar is likely to be offered with both petrol and diesel engine options.
• It’ll be larger and come with a more feature-loaded cabin.
• India launch likely during the coming festive season.

Phew, sigh, relief, finally! These are the few words that came to my mind on learning that Mahindra could reveal the 2020 Thar soon. We have been seeing this SUV testing for ages now and some of you might have even come across memes on it, but all that can be put to rest as Mahindra could take the wraps off the 2020 Thar on August 15. 

Sure, the recent nationwide lockdown could have delayed the proceedings, but we have been seeing the Thar being tested from early 2019. It also didn’t make it to the Auto Expo 2020, much to the disappointment of most members of the Zig office. But now with just a few days left for its reveal, we’re more than excited to get behind the wheels of the Thar. 

It’s larger than before, courtesy the updated platform, which is also expected to be stronger and safer. Park it next to a Jeep Wrangler and we bet you could mistake this one for being the more premium SUV. The Thar could very well bag the title of ‘The Poor Man’s Wrangler’. Traditional design elements like the 7-slat grille and the butch upright stance have also been retained here. 

Based on spy shots, we can report the Thar’s interior is much more evolved than before. We will talk about quality levels once we get to drive the car. But in terms of design and features, Mahindra seems to have done a pretty good job.

Noted features include a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control, cruise control, a multi-info display, front power windows and remote locking. On the safety front, expect dual airbags, ABS with EBD and rear parking sensors with a camera. 

The Thar is likely to be offered with two engine options: a 140PS 2.2-litre mHawk diesel unit and for the first time a 190PS 2.0-litre mStallion petrol unit. Both engines should be offered with a 6-speed manual and automatic transmission options, increasing the SUV’s appeal. And just like before, the Thar will come with a 4X4 drivetrain with a low-range transfer case and should boast good off-road credentials.

We expect the 2020 Thar to reach showrooms by this festive season. Considering the hefty updates, one can expect prices to start above the Rs 10-lakh mark (ex-showroom). That ain’t cheap, but the Thar with its improved aesthetics and nature could appeal more to the masses rather than just off-road enthusiasts. Its rivals include the Force Gurkha and the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Jimny. 

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