The new Mahindra Thar five-door was rumoured to be unveiled next month at a local event, but the automaker has released an official statement confirming that reports claiming the August 2023 reveal date were false.
In a social media post, Mahindra stated “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 Thar 5-door is scheduled for 2024 in India.”
The significance of its rumoured South African launch is still notable as the second-generation Thar was planned to make its local debut in late 2021 shortly after its global reveal, but the plans never materialised.
Not long after its introduction, the Mahindra was hit with a series of lawsuits from automakers with similar-looking cars (read: Jeep Wrangler) which complicated its global rollout, and with demand from Indian customers outstripping supply due to global component shortages at the time, the manufacturer shifted focus to fulfilling orders in its home country rather than export markets.
While Mahindra has yet to release a statement on the Thar’s South African availability, it is expected that we will receive more clarity on the situation once the long-awaited 5-door model has finally been revealed.
What to expect
The Thar is currently only produced in 3-door guise and in this shape, it’s India’s favourite 4×4 with waiting periods for the SUV stretching anywhere from three to 18 months in this market.
Since the 5-door model is yet to be officially unveiled, it’s not yet known what its specs and features are, but most reports suggest that these will be closely aligned to that of its smaller sibling.
India’s Autocar, which has seen prototypes of the Thar 5-door, reports that the SUV will feature a full-metal hard-top roof with an electric sunroof and that it’s unlikely to get a soft-top option like the 3-door, as well as a longer wheelbase naturally to accommodate the extra set of doors.
The slightly-larger compact 4×4 will also get a front centre armrest, an updated touchscreen infotainment system, more storage spaces in the cabin, more premium materials, and multiple seating options including two individual seats for the second row.
The larger Thar is anticipated to ship with the same diesel and petrol powerplants as its 3-door sibling, which has two versions of the former and one of the latter on offer.
The diesel drive units take the form of a 1.5-litre generating 87kW and 300Nm, or a 2.2-litre pushing out 97kW and 300Nm, both available with a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
The single turbo-petrol driveline has a displacement of 2.0 litres and provides 112kW and 300Nm in manual spec and 112kW and 320Nm in auto.
The less-powerful diesel models are sold in rear-wheel drive only, while all the other versions are built upon a manual-shift, part-time 4WD system with a mechanical locking differential and high and low gear ratios.
Occupying a space of less than four metres in length, the 3-door Thar has the Suzuki Jimny and new Force Gurkha right in its crosshairs, while the 5-door version will be the biggest rival to the upcoming 5-door Jimny.
With a high ground clearance of 226mm, an approach angle of 41.2 degrees, and a departure angle of 36 degrees, combined with its portable footprint and 18-inch alloys in all-terrain tyres, the Mahindra is one of the most nimble 4x4s on the trail, an accolade currently enjoyed by the Suzuki alone.
Further to the point of its rugged persona, the Thar wields welded tow hooks up front, side footsteps, wheel arch cladding, a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and a washable cabin floor with drainage plugs.
Keyword: New Mahindra Thar 5-door – Official launch date confirmed