Next-gen Mahindra Thar Continues Testing Ahead Of Reveal

• The 2020 Thar retains its iconic design bits like the 7-slat grille and round headlamps.
• It will get an upmarket interior and is expected to get more features as well.
• New Thar is expected to be powered by a BS6-compliant 2.0-litre diesel engine.
• The 2020 Mahindra Thar is expected to be revealed at the 2020 Auto Expo.

The first-gen Mahindra Thar has been laid to rest with the special edition Thar 700. But that’s not the end of the Thar legacy as Mahindra is hard at work to bring the second-generation model. Spied testing earlier this year, the 2020 Thar is bigger than its predecessor and is expected to be more safer as well. While we had brought plenty of reports of the 2020 Thar before, here’s your best look at the upcoming model.

The 2020 Thar looks familiar as Mahindra has retained its traditional elements. The iconic 7-slat grille, round headlamps and the upright stance have been carried over. And to compliment its bigger size, Mahindra has tossed in beefier wheels and wheel arches to ensure that the 2020 Thar has a macho stance. At the rear, the test mule comes with vertically stacked tail lamps that aren’t LED units. What’s more? The hard-top variant has been spied, which could mean that the manufacturer might offer it as a separate variant unlike before.

Inside, the 2020 Thar comes with a new dashboard that looks more upmarket. The seats are also more premium and come with additional bolstering for more comfort and support. Also, the instrument console is also new, which is likely to come with a bigger multi-info display. The 2020 Thar is also expected to come with more features to make it feel more premium.

Expected feature additions include front power windows, multi-info display, manual HVAC, fabric seats, an audio system and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. The Thar is also expected to get a handful of safety features like dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, driver and co-driver seatbelt warning and a high-speed alert system.

Under the hood, the 2020 Thar is expected to be powered by an all-new BS6-compliant 2.0-litre diesel engine. It is expected to develop 140PS of power and 320Nm of torque. Previous spy shots also confirm that the 2020 Thar will come with a 6-speed manual gearbox. It will also continue to feature a four wheel drive transfer case with a low range gearbox to help you scale the steepest slopes.

The 2020 Thar is expected to be revealed at the upcoming 2020 Auto Expo. Considering the number of updates and its big size, expect a heftier price tag as well. For reference, the final edition Thar 700 is priced at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).