There is good news for Thar lovers. You will soon get a new powertrain option for Mahindra Thar. Along with this, a new variant will also be available. The Thar is set to get a 1.5-litre diesel engine, which will join the current line-up of 2.2-litre diesel and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines. Adding the 1.5-litre diesel engine will also help the Thar move into a lower tax bracket because it is less than 4 meters long. The Thar 1.5 diesel was showcased to dealers in November this year at an event in Igatpuri, Maharashtra.
According to the auto website Autocar India report, a 1497 cc engine can be used in this new entry-level variant Thar, also available in Mahindra Marazzo. The engine will be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with no automatic option. Apart from this, this engine will come only in 2WD form and will not get a 4WD system. This system is seen on the more expensive Thar 2.2L diesel.
Spy shots of the Thar 1.5 diesel interior also reveal that a new storage console has replaced the low-range gear lever on the centre console.
BesidesBesides the new 1.5-litre diesel engine, Mahindra will also offer a 2WD variant with the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine on the Thar. Similar to the 1.5-litre diesel 2WD, the Thar 2.0 petrol 2WD will only be mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.
When Mahindra introduced the discontinued Thar AX, the entry-level soft top variant equipped with a 2.0-litre petrol engine was priced at Rs 9.8 lakh. On the other hand, the price of AX with 2.2 diesel manual and 4WD was Rs. 10.2 lakhs. With the discontinuation of the 4WD and a smaller 1.5-litre unit, Mahindra can take advantage of the small engine offering. Thar 1.5 diesel 2WD can be around Rs 10-11 lakh. This price can be of its entry-level variant.
Mahindra Thar 2D may be launched next year
According to reports, the Thar 2WD small with a 1.5-litre diesel and 2.0 petrol could go on sale sometime next year, i.e. in January 2023. In January, Maruti Suzuki will unveil the five-door Jimny at the Auto Expo 2023. However, this time Mahindra will not be present at the Auto Expo.