Upgraded Mahindra Thar CRDe launched at Rs 8.03 lakh

Mahindra’s Thar is the most popular off-roaders in the Country but there has always been two complaints about it – the first is that it felt too crude and barebones basic to appeal to the private car buyer and the second was the need of a rear locking differential to make it a more capable offroader. Mahindra has acted on this feedback by introducing the updated Thar. It is priced at Rs 8.03 lakh ex-showroom Nasik and will not apply to the Direct injection Thar variant.

The big mechanical upgrade it the rear locking differential that essentially sends power to the freer of the two wheels to get the Thar out of a sticky situation with a lot more ease. Offroading enthusiasts have been demanding this as the Thar is already a fairly capable offroader and this makes it even better. Besides the diff lock, the Thar gets a fresh new interior update – new and comfier seats, steering wheel, instrument cluster, dual tone dashboard, a lockable glovebox, gear knob, door trim, cup holders and a 12V charging point.

Even the exterior gets a few changes. There’s a new bumper design as well as plastic cladding on the wheel arches, clear lens headlamps, new side footsteps and forward tilting canopy. You can also specify the Thar with a hardtop for Rs 1.3 lakh.

All the updates go on to the CRDe Thar only as Mahindra says that the DI is more utilitarian where price consciousness is high, while the CRDe has a large lifestyle buyer base that doesn’t mind spending more for the creature comforts. Under the hood is the same 2.5-litre mill developing 105PS of power and 247Nm of torque. It comes mated to a five speed manual gearbox with a low ratio transfer case.