MAHINDRA’S president of automotive know-how and product improvement, Ramasamy Velusamy, has advised Australian journalists gathered for a preview drive of the XUV700 final week that the forthcoming five-door model of the Thar off-roader is into account for the Australian market – assuming it may well type its authorized battle with Jeep…
The information follows a report revealed this February suggestion the three- and five-door Jeep Wrangler lookalike could possibly be headed Down Below, with Mr Velusamy saying export markets had been on Mahindra’s radar, however solely after the mannequin is launched domestically.
“We introduced it (the five-door Thar) in our final board assembly … and within the first quarter of subsequent 12 months we should always see it within the Indian market,” he mentioned.
“I’m undecided at this stage what the plans are for Australia, however I can say we’re intently evaluating that area, and we are going to disclose extra once we end our planning. However as of now, India is a precedence market.”
GoAuto and different shops noticed the closely camouflaged five-door Thar present process testing at Mahindra’s proving floor outdoors Chennai, India final week.
The bigger mannequin is anticipated to present one other robust enhance to Mahindra’s rising off-road succesful line-up, becoming a member of the not too long ago launched Scorpio as a body-on-frame providing with dual-range four-wheel drive.
If provided Down Below, the five-door Mahindra Thar would give the Indian producer a real competitor to the likes of the GWM Tank 300 and Jeep Wrangler, albeit it at a worth level that locations the mannequin inside hanging distance of Suzuki’s Jimny.
In its dwelling market, the mannequin will rival the Drive Gurkha and Suzuki Maruti Jimny five-door.
In India, the present Thar vary is obtainable with petrol and diesel powerplants starting from 1.5- to 2.2 litres in displacement, and with the supply of handbook and automated transmissions, and the selection of rear- and four-wheel drive.
Indian sources report that the five-door variant will characteristic solely bigger displacement four-cylinder turbocharged mStallion (2.0-litre petrol) and mHawk (2.2-litre diesel) items, and that six-speed handbook and automated transmissions shall be obtainable from launch.
GoAuto understands the five-door Mahindra Thar will arrive in Indian showrooms with options together with 18-inch alloy wheels, squared-off tail-lights acquainted to the three-door mannequin, daring wheel arch cladding, cruise management, distant keyless entry and ignition, and a bigger infotainment system that includes the model’s AdrenoX working system.
The mannequin is anticipated to reach with a price ticket beginning at R15 lakh ($A27,850) plus on-road prices and topping out at R16 lakh ($A29,700).
By court docket ruling, Mahindra shall be allowed to promote its Thar in Australia offered the mannequin’s look is considerably altered to make it seem much less just like the Jeep Wrangler. If Jeep is glad that the transform of the Thar is satisfactory, it’s probably it might seem in native showrooms by as early as the tip of subsequent 12 months.
Go to GoAuto once more quickly for our launch drive of the Mahindra XUV700.
*Three-door mannequin proven for illustrative functions.
