New Mahindra Thar VS Old Mahindra Thar

Introduction: The Mahindra Thar is a mud-guzzling, high-suspension off-roader that's ready to take on the competition, including the Renault Duster, Jeep Compass, and Toyota Fortuner. Designed with adventure in mind, the Thar boasts a seat height of 447mm and an impressive ground clearance of 265mm, making it the ideal companion for the roughest terrains.

Design & Features: At first glance, the Thar's rugged aesthetics stand out with its beveled edges and wide stance. It has evolved significantly from its predecessors, offering a compact footprint that still manages to deliver on performance and durability. The Thar is not just an off-roader; it’s a statement on the road.

Mahindra has chosen to retain much of the familiar charm in their latest Thar design, ensuring that long-time users feel right at home. The new Thar introduces a modern interior with durable and refined materials like wood, maintaining a balance between tradition and innovation.

Evolution & Performance: While there are noticeable improvements in build quality and design, the new Thar retains underlying similarities with its predecessors. Having been in production since the 1980s, the Thar has consistently captured the market with its sturdy, reliable, and spacious design. The latest version features a minimalistic style, an all-new body design for increased storage, and advanced systems like ABS+EBD+ASR for enhanced braking on rough terrains.

The 2018 Mahindra Thar is a complete overhaul of its predecessor, offering significant improvements. The new model includes a 1.8-liter engine, replacing the old 2.5-liter, resulting in better fuel efficiency and lower emissions. It also introduces the ability to run on compressed natural gas (CNG), catering to modern needs. The redesigned suspension provides better stability across various surfaces, and the new Ford diesel engine marks a major upgrade from the older Lister diesel engine.

Exterior & Interior Updates: Externally, the Thar now features square fenders with flat glass and LED lights, a shift from the old model's rounded fenders and curved glass. The interior has also seen improvements, offering enhanced comfort and spaciousness, making it more suitable for modern-day use.

Legacy & Market Impact: The original Mahindra Thar was India’s first SUV, designed to tackle the toughest terrains with a utilitarian approach. The new Thar, however, is a reflection of contemporary needs, featuring competitive elements like airbags, ABS, a new engine lineup, and modern styling. Despite the shift in design and features, the Thar remains a benchmark for SUVs in India, continually evolving to meet customer expectations.

Conclusion: With the launch of the new Mahindra Thar, which began production in December 2018, Mahindra has once again proven its commitment to innovation while honoring the legacy of this iconic vehicle. The limited-edition Thar, available in both petrol and diesel versions, continues to face tough competition, but its unmatched durability and off-road capabilities keep it at the forefront of the SUV market in India.