Mahindra confirms automatic option for next-gen Thar

Automatic transmission will widen new Thar’s appeal.

Published On Jun 17, 2020 07:00:00 AM

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Mahindra confirms automatic option for next-gen Thar

Mahindra XUV500 automatic gear lever used for representation only.

Automatic gearbox will be a first for the Mahindra Thar
New Thar will be available with diesel and petrol engine options
Second-gen Thar goes on sale around September-October

It's an open secret that the second generation of the Mahindra Thar will come with an automatic gearbox. However, the carmaker has finally confirmed a Thar automatic is in the works.

Speaking at an earnings call for financial year 2020, Rajesh Jejurika, executive director, Auto & Farm Sectors at Mahindra Group touched upon the new Thar. “This is a flagship initiative. It brings in the core product of Mahindra and comes in a wide variety, aggregates, automatic…the works. It will create a new segment.”

Thar automatic

An upgraded 140hp version of Mahindra’s 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine will be the mainstay of the new Thar range. A 6-speed manual with four-wheel drive will be on offer and the engine will also be available with the option of an automatic transmission – a first for the Thar. The automatic in question will be a 6-speed Aisin torque converter unit.

A petrol engine will also be on offer this time around. The Thar will be the launch vehicle for Mahindra’s all-new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit. Part of the carmaker’s new mStallion petrol engine family, the unit will feature turbocharging and direct-injection. Gearbox options will likely include 6-speed manuals and automatics.

More than an off-roader

The original Thar won itself a fan following for its off-road ability. With a new focus on comfort, the second-gen Thar will cater to a wider buyer base. Expect top-spec versions of the Thar to sport features such as a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a multi-info display in the instrument cluster, multiple USB ports and power-folding mirrors. A factory-fit hard-top version has been seen testing and there are talks of removable roof panels as well.

New Thar launch by October

Mahindra has announced it is looking to launch the next-gen Thar in September-October 2020. More sophisticated, better equipped and more rounded than the first-gen model, the new Thar is shaping up to be one of the most interesting launches of 2020.

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