India’s 75th Independence Day is going to be super exciting, even for auto enthusiasts, especially those who are eagerly awaiting the 5-door Mahindra Thar. The lifestyle off-road SUV will make its global debut on August 15, 2023, at an event in South Africa. Its launch in India has already been confirmed for 2024. With the 5-door Thar, Mahindra aims to target buyers who are seeking a practical lifestyle SUV with a robust body build and rugged styling. However, its character will be similar to the 3-door Thar.
The 5-door Mahindra Thar will essentially be the long-wheelbase version of the existing Thar, expected to have a wheelbase that is 300mm longer, providing more cabin space for second-row passengers. It remains to be seen whether Mahindra will offer individual rear seats or a bench seat setup. It will be a feature-laden off-road machine, equipped with a sunroof, an updated touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a front center armrest, and more. Material quality, fit, and finish are likely to be better than the 3-door Thar.
Dimensionally, the 5-door Thar will measure 3985mm in length, 1820mm in width, and 1844mm in height. This means it will be significantly larger than the Jimny, which measures 3820mm in length, 1645mm in width, and 1720mm in height. The engine setup of the long-wheelbase Thar will include the same 2.0L turbo petrol and 2.2L diesel units found in its 3-door version. On the other hand, Maruti Suzuki’s Jimny comes with a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 105bhp and 134Nm of torque.
The 5-door Mahindra Thar will be pitted against the newly-launched Maruti Suzuki Jimny. However, it belongs to a higher segment with more powerful engines and a larger size. In fact, it is likely to be priced at a premium compared to the Jimny, which is currently available within the price range of Rs 12.74 lakh – Rs 15.05 lakh (ex-showroom).
