“Work hard, play harder”, that’s a common mantra that drives us through the weekday to reach the weekend sooner to – play! And, that’s exactly what we are up for today, its the weekend and some serious playtime, and that requires some serious game, in the only way we know how. The reason why we went for a not so conventional choice of wheels.
The latest rear wheel drive variant of the Mahindra Thar comes to us as a lighter and peppier version keeping intact those iconic looks and structure that has clearly dominated the road. So where do we head out to play. Nasik gets us some of that weekend rejuvenation and also gives us the opportunity to see how the Thar works around the city, and on the highway. It smoothly fits into the picture of being a lifestyle vehicle catering to everyday needs yet not diluting its ethos of go-anywhere fun-to-drive personality.
The Mahindra Thar has long been regarded as a great choice for adventure seekers which brings into play ample off-roading and a test of endurance of the vehicle and the driver combined. The elder sibling to this one holds the 4×4 prowess and more powerful engine, although the rear wheel drive variant which runs on a 1.5 litre Diesel engine mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox, creates just the same impact on the road. This doesn’t only come from the power and grip on tarmac, it also stems from the fact that the RWD Thar will still go deep into the unknown.
The Thar has its roots right here at Nasik where it is manufactured. Nasik is also a place known for vineyards, wineries and luxury staycations. It is a relaxing abode, but we were more tempted to visit these vineyards to know about how the humble grape can be turned into a drink for the gods.
Nasik is a bustling industrial and education town which also connects to the city of Nagpur. This leads to heavy traffic even during the early hours of the day. The roads are well maintained and got us easy access into the city. The Thar with its RWD drivetrain, makes light work being an agile, and easy to see SUV. The alternate story began when we headed for the vineyards as these are generally located at a short distant from the city though it requires driving on some uneven roads. Staying true to its promise of being the safest off roader we roared on into the broken, dusty terrain with confidence. This all-accommodating behaviour of the Thar is something that makes it unique in its class of SUVs.
The Thar by far has given us every reason to opt for it in its class of SUVs, it shines equally in the city and highway as it does for off-roading or uphill driving. So if you have the heart of an explorer which takes you away from the city hustle bustle to rejuvenate at times, this is the car for you. All this topped with the fact that the RWD variant is a much sweeter entry point, thanks to its price, into this lifestyle.
This trip made us do everything and more that the Thar is capable of and by far it remains a versatile SUV with class, iconic lineage and darn good looks. The problem with weekends like these are that they are short lived, the remainder of the week is the long one which I’m sure the Thar is more than capable of taking on with just as much style and dominance.
Keyword: Two Wheel Chill - Mahindra Thar RWD