Mahindra Starts Testing Thar 3-Door Facelift: Spy Pics Surface Online

Mahindra Thar is currently one of the most popular 3-door lifestyle SUVs on sale in India. It was launched in 2020, and since then, the SUV has not received any major updates. It looks like Mahindra has finally decided to work on the Thar and give it a much-needed update. Recently, a Mahindra Thar with camouflaged body panels was spotted testing on the road. It is probably the facelifted version, which is expected to be launched in the market soon.

The images of the Mahindra Thar test mule have been shared by MotorBeam on their website. In this image, we only see the rear of the upcoming SUV. The Mahindra Thar seen here in the images gets camouflage on the rear fender and bumper, and the spare wheel mounted on the tailgate also gets the same camouflage.

While we don’t have any images of the front, we are assuming that Mahindra will be launching the Thar 3-door SUV with a revised front grille, headlamps, bumper, and alloy wheels. Apart from the cosmetic changes on the outside, Mahindra might also update the interiors of the Thar 3-door.

They might go for a theme that resembles the one seen on the Mahindra Thar Roxx. The Thar facelift might get a larger and more premium-looking touchscreen infotainment system, a fully digital instrument cluster, a multi-function steering wheel, and so on. Mahindra might also replace the hydraulic steering unit with the power-assisted unit seen in the Thar Roxx.

As Mahindra has stopped offering the soft top with the Thar 3-door, there is a possibility that the Thar facelift will come with a fixed hardtop roof. This way, they can accommodate an electric sunroof if needed. Mahindra might also offer other features like a 360-degree camera, ambient lights, rear disc brakes, and so on.

In terms of the engine, Mahindra will continue to offer the SUV with both petrol and diesel engine options. It will be offered in both 4x4 and RWD versions. The 4x4 version of the SUV comes with a 2.2-litre turbocharged mHawk diesel engine that generates 130 Bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque. The petrol version uses a 2.0-litre mStallion series turbocharged engine that generates 150 Bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque.

Both petrol and diesel versions of the Mahindra Thar 4x4 come with manual and automatic transmission options. The RWD version of the Mahindra Thar is powered by the same petrol engine as the 4x4 version, but it uses a smaller 1.5-litre CRDe turbocharged diesel engine that generates 117 Bhp and 300 Nm of peak torque. The petrol version of the RWD gets manual and automatic transmission options, while the diesel only comes with a manual gearbox.

With all these changes in place, the price of the Mahindra Thar is likely to go up. Mahindra is working on the updated version of the Thar, and it is likely to be introduced in the market towards the festive season or early next year. Mahindra is also working on the XUV700 facelift and the next-generation Bolero, which is likely to be unveiled in August this year.