Exclusive: 5-door Mahindra Thar’s Newly Spotted Feature Will Put A Smile On Your Face

• New spy shots show a single-pane sunroof on the 5-door Thar.

• It had LED fog lamps suggesting LED lighting setup in the production version.

• Inside, it could get an all-black cabin with an 8-inch touchscreen and auto AC.

• Mahindra will offer it with the same petrol and diesel engines as the 3-door Thar.

• Launch in 2024, likely at a starting price of Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom).

Although it's been spotted on multiple occasions, the 5-door Mahindra Thar is still being extensively put through its paces as another test mule was seen on the roads recently. We now have some exclusive spy shots of the elongated off-roader which will surely make you gleam, as they confirm a most-welcome feature on the "Thar" nameplate.

Yes, A Sunroof!

One of the most obvious changes on the 5-door SUV over its 3-door iteration is the addition of a single-pane sunroof as seen in the newest spy shots. The sunroof seems to be oddly positioned between the front and second rows, which is a rather usual location. It thus points towards the 5-door Thar having a full metal hard top to accommodate this comfort and convenience feature. The LED fog lamps on the test mule hint at a full LED lighting setup for the production version of the 5-door Thar.

Apart from the significant revelation, the 5-door Thar didn’t give away much as it was still draped in heavy camouflage. Previous sightings of the elongated off-roader have hinted at C-pillar-mounted rear door handles, and the new rear suspension setup.

A More Premium Cabin?

Mahindra could offer the longer-wheelbase Thar with an all-black cabin as seen on one of the test mules. In terms of equipment, the offroader is expected to come with an 8-inch touchscreen from the Scorpio N with connected car tech, auto climate control, and cruise control.

Passenger safety is likely to be taken care of by up to six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), and a rear parking camera.

Both Petrol And Diesel Engines Expected

Mahindra will provide the 5-door Thar with the same petrol and diesel engines as the currently offered 3-door Thar, but likely in higher states of tune. In the 3-door version, the 2-litre turbo-petrol makes 150PS, while the 2.2-litre diesel produces 130PS. The carmaker is also expected to offer the stretched-out Thar with the option of 2WD variants, as seen recently with the current model. The 5-door Thar will be equipped with both 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox options.

When’s It Hitting The Market?

The carmaker has already confirmed that the SUV will be launched in 2024. We believe it could have a starting price of Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom). The 5-door Thar will be a bigger alternative to the Maruti Jimny while possibly being on par with the upcoming 5-door Force Gurkha.