Angry Mahindra Thar Fan Takes On Pratap Bose For Thar Roxx’s ‘Bolero Pro Max’ Design

Someone who claims to be a huge fan on the Mahindra Thar, and who intended to buy the Thar ROXX expressed his displeasure to Pratap Bose, Mahindra’s chief designer, and also the man behind the design of the Thar Roxx. Here’s what he sent Mr. Bose, in a strongly worded message. In fact, Mr. Bose has shared this message, adding that the guy who sent him his message should refrain from abuse and that he should try and lead a life of kindness. Here, take a look at the now-deleted exchange between the disgruntled Thar fan and Mr. Bose.

Let’s admit it, the Mahindra Thar ROXX’s design is polarizing. While some love it, many don’t. People who don’t like the design mainly focus their dislike on the kink that comes in at the Mahindra Thar ROXX’s B-Pillar, and goes all the way to the bottom of the C-Pillar, which is quite thick. And from here on, the design is less than cohesive to most people who like simplicity in their car’s design.

According to Mr. Bose, the whole idea of designing the Thar ROXX with the kink on the C-Pillar is to give the SUV a look that’s very distinctive, and instantly recognizable. In fact, during the launch, Mr. Bose added that this design element of the Thar ROXX is probably the first thing someone would notice when the SUV pulls up alongside during a traffic stop.

Apart from the kink on the C-Pillar, which is more or less masked on the black coloured version of the Thar ROXX, the SUV’s design does have a bunch of changes that give it a very distinct look. For instance, the door handle for the rear doors get a vertical layout. The C-Pillar is quite thick, and almost looks like it’s the part of a roll cage. In fact, the slanted C-Pillar also gives the Thar ROXX the look of a pick up truck.

Apart from these design cues that have split Thar fans right down the middle, the overall design of the Thar ROXX stays true to the original Jeep DNA that it traces its overall design philosophy to. In fact, the Thar ROXX is a handsome looker from most angles. It gets a ‘six pack’ front grille, C-Shaped DRLs, a long slab-like bonnet and squarish proportions that gives it the quintessential ‘Jeep’ look.

Our take on the Thar ROXX’s design

We think that the Thar ROXX’s profile has been deliberately made to look different from say the Jeep Wrangler – a SUV that the Mahindra 4X4 will take on in markets abroad. In fact, Mahindra has big plans for the Thar ROXX, and this includes exports to multiple countries around the world where the Jeep Wrangler is also sold.

The Thar ROXX is likely to square off against the Jeep Wrangler in export markets, and Mahindra seems to be factoring in the lawsuits that could inevitably come its way once the Wrangler and Thar ROXX go up against each other. In fact. Fiat-Chrysler (now Stellantis) has already filed a bunch of lawsuits against Mahindra for the ROXOR (an off-road farm vehicle) sold in North America.

Stung by the lawsuits, Mahindra had to go back to the drawing board, and redesign the ROXOR’s front end.

In fact, the ROXOR (sold as the first generation Thar DI in India) continues to be on sale in North America, albeit after a heavy redesign. Clearly, Mahindra wants to avoid such a situation with the Thar ROXX, and this explains the busy design on the B and C-Pillar.

Eventually, this design is likely to become more palatable to most as more and more Mahindra Thar ROXXs start hitting Indian roads. As they say, familiarity breeds content, not just contempt. For now though, it does come across as an oddity in what is otherwise a cohesive, handsome looking SUV.