Next-gen 2020 Mahindra Thar hard-top spied up close
The next-gen 2020 Mahindra Thar has been under development from quite some time now and it has been spied yet again. Although the first-gen model has been discontinued because of not being compliant with the new safety norms, the second-gen model will take a couple months more to make it to the showrooms.
The Mahindra Thar has always been closer to enthusiasts and has built a strong reputation of an adventurer. In its second generation, though, it will be a slightly better daily-driver as well, which would help it achieve better volumes.
On the outside, the Mahindra Thar will carry an evolutionary design and will be slightly bigger in terms of dimensions in its second generation. Apparently, it retains all the classical design elements including the signature seven-slot vertical grille, front fender-mounted turn indicators, a wide and flat bonnet and round halogen headlamps, side-hinged tailgate with a spare wheel bolted onto it and vertical brick-shaped combination lamps.
The new-gen Mahindra Thar will be more comfortable and spacious and thus will feature a new cabin layout for more convenience and comfort. Upfront, it will pack a completely redesigned all-black dashboard, a digital-analogue instrument panel with a big MID integrated between the dials, a multi-function steering wheel, round AC vents, new AC control dials with silver outline along with new repositioned passenger grab-handle. It will also carry contrast stitching on its seats which will come with extra padding and support for enhanced comfort. Other than this, another major update to the cabin of the new Thar will be use of front-facing rear-seats, as revealed in the previous report.
The next-gen 2020 Mahindra Thar will comply with the upcoming BNVSAP crash tests norms which come into effect from 1 October 2019, hence it will carry a more robust (body-on-frame) construction and will be safer compared to the previous-gen model. Also, it goes without saying that safety features such as driver airbag, rear parking sensors, speed alert system and more will be standard across its variants as per latest AIS-145 safety norms which came into effect from 1 July 2019.
In terms of mechanicals, it will run on a newly developed BS-VI 2.0-litre diesel engine churning out 140 PS of maximum power and 300 Nm of peak torque. This engine will be married to a 6-speed manual transmission which will work in tandem with an optional manually-operated 4WD system.
Also See: Mahindra shows the Thar 700 rolling off the assembly line [Video]
Expect the 2020 Mahindra Thar to break cover at Auto Expo 2020.
[Image Source - GaadiWaadi]
