The 4X2 drive layout is available with a new 1.5-litre diesel engine along with the existing 2.0-litre petrol engine.
Prices for the much anticipated Mahindra Thar 2WD have been announced. The Mahindra Thar 2WD is priced from Rs 9.99 lakh for the new 1.5-litre diesel variant, while the Thar 2WD with the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol AT costs Rs 13.49 lakh (ex-showroom).
- Thar 2WD gets two engine options
- Thar 1.5 diesel engine comes with manual gearbox only
- Thar 2.0-litre petrol 2WD comes with 6 speed automatic only
Mahindra Thar 2WD: pricing, engine-gearbox options
Along with the absence of 4WD gear, Mahindra has also introduced a smaller 1.5-litre diesel engine on the Thar 2WD – the same four-cylinder unit that does duty in the XUV300 and churns out 117hp. The smaller 1.5-litre diesel engine, coupled with the sub-4m length, helps the Thar qualify for a lower excise bracket when compared to its bigger engine siblings.
The Thar 2WD 1.5 diesel, however, comes with only a 6-speed manual gearbox. This means that customers looking to buy a Thar diesel automatic will have to go with the more expensive Thar 4WD that comes with the bigger 2.2-litre engine.
The second powertrain on offer on the Thar 2WD is the same 2.0-litre turbo petrol that does duty on the Thar 4WD. This engine is available with only a 6-speed torque convertor automatic transmission and does not get a manual gearbox option.
Mahindra Thar 2WD: exterior, interior differences
Visually, both the Thar 2WD and 4WD look identical to each other, save for the lack of the 4×4 badge on the former. Mahindra has also introduced two new exterior paint options on the Thar – Blazing Bronze, which is also available on the XUV300, and the much enquired about Everest White. Additionally, the 2WD Thar will is only available with the hard-top option.
On the inside, the Thar 2WD gets a cubby hole in place of the 4×4 selector on the 4WD version. Additionally, the Thar 2WD gets auto start/stop function, which can be accessed via the control panel between the steering wheel and the driver’s door. The Thar recently had a few buttons – traction control, hill descent control and door lock/unlock – repositioned from the control panel to the centre console.
Apart from these, everything else remains the same on the Thar. It continues to get the 7.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, electrically adjustable outside rear-view mirrors, cruise control and LED daytime running lamps (DRLs).
Mahindra Thar 2WD: rivals in India
The Thar 2WD is aimed at buyers who want a Thar but are not so keen to take it off-road. The SUV does not have a direct rival as of now, but the more expensive Thar 4WD takes on the likes of the Force Gurkha and the upcoming Maruti Jimny, which will go on sale by mid-2023.