Mahindra Thar (Final report)

Small things like this make me think Mahindra didn’t really think things out when they engineered the Thar. The mix and match of Scorpio and Bolero for the engine, chassis and rear suspension has a downside — the components weren’t really designed for the stresses of off-roading. I spoke to Mahindra about this and they say that engineering specific parts for the Thar would demand re-homologation, and that would in turn push the price further up. Still, I feel Mahindra should go the distance, spend the money and build an even more capable Thar. The company’s heritage lies in rugged Jeeps (not sure if I can call a Thar a Jeep anymore) and Mahindra owes it to itself to make an off-roader that no one can complain about.

For the next Thar, Mahindra needs to look at a few things. Apart from the horns, they need to mount the ECU higher, figure out how to have a flatter underside (to make it less prone to damage) and properly seal the electricals from the elements — driving through deep water drowned the starter motor and I had to rebuild it, albeit for an admittedly inexpensive Rs 3000.

One thing is for sure, despite its limitations in everyday use, the biggest of which was the inability to secure its interiors when I left it parked somewhere (soft top, remember), the Thar has undoubtedly been the most interesting long-termer I have ever used.

OUSEPH CHACKO

Mahindra Thar CRDe
Odometer: 28,000km
Price Rs 8.51lakh (on-road, Mumbai)
Test economy: 10.6kpl

Maintenance costs
Rs 2600 (four sets of horns),
Rs 3000 to rebuild starter motor,
Rs 4000 (post-OTR wash x 4)

Faults: Starter motor drowned