A few months after it was seen in India, additional images of the Mahindra Roxor off-road vehicle have surfaced, indicating that a local launch may be considered. The Mahindra Roxor, which Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA) developed mainly for the US market, has had a bumpy road thus far because FCA sued it over its design.
The vertical grille slats on Mahindra’s 2019 model had to be replaced in favor of a new design after the company was found to have copied Jeep’s design. Later, before the updated model with a new design was introduced, the United States International Trade Commission stopped Roxor sales in the US.
The facelifted Mahindra Roxor with cosmetic updates was released last year. The sixth US Circuit Court of Appeals stated recently that a previous court erred in reasoning for not prohibiting the retail sale of the revised Roxor beyond 2020 since it continues to have a square body and rounded bonnet while being devoid of doors. It also resembles the previous CJ in that it has a small wheelbase.
While the legal dispute with FCA continues in the US, Mahindra is working on another off-road-oriented SUV for India. The five-door Thar has been seen testing numerous times ahead of what may be its late 2019 debut. Returning to the Roxor, it shares a platform with the first-generation Thar and is powered by a 2.5-liter m2DiCR turbo diesel engine from the 1970s.
The engine’s highest power output is 61 bhp at 3,200 rpm, and its maximum torque is 195 Nm between 1,400 to 2,200 rpm. It is connected to a five-speed manual transmission that, by default, uses a two-speed transfer case to distribute power to all four wheels.
The Roxor’s top speed in the US is 88 kilometers per hour. The base model has an open cab, and the All-Weather model has an enclosed cabin.