Denying all rumors surrounding the Mahindra Thar 5-door, the indigenous carmaker has confirmed that the lifestyle off-road SUV will not debut on August 15, 2023. The company has released a statement that reads, “With reference to multiple media reports indicating that the much-awaited Mahindra Thar 5-Door will debut at a Mahindra event in South Africa on August 15, we would like to clarify that the launch is not scheduled for this year. During the recently concluded Quarter Results media interaction, we confirmed that the launch of the Thar 5-Door is scheduled for 2024 in India.”
The 5-door Thar will come as a more practical option for buyers who are looking for an off-roader with rugged styling and a better seating arrangement. Most of its design elements and features, along with powertrains, will be sourced from the 3-door Thar. What will differentiate it will be a longer wheelbase (around 300mm) and more cabin space. In terms of pricing, it is expected to be more expensive than the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, which costs between Rs 12.74 lakh and Rs 15.05 lakh (ex-showroom).
Mahindra’s Future Plans
The automaker has begun testing the Mahindra XUV.e8 SUV, which is essentially the electric version of the XUV700. It will be the first Mahindra to underpin the brand’s new highly customizable and modular INGLO platform. The electric SUV is likely to arrive in its final production avatar towards the end of 2024. Here, it will go head-to-head against the Tata Harrier EV, which is due for 2024.
While its battery specs and performance figures are still under wraps, the carmaker has confirmed that the Mahindra XUVe.8 will come with both ICE (petrol/diesel) and electric powertrain options. Its electric iteration might get a battery pack of around 60kWh – 80kWh and deliver a range close to 400km or 450km on a single charge. Mahindra has planned several more electric SUVs that will come under the XUV.e and BE sub-brands.
