For enthusiasts who need a rugged, ready‑to‑go driver, the Thar OG’s new platform and powertrain upgrades mean more punch and less effort.
Under the hood, the 2.0‑litre turbo‑petrol now churns out 162 hp and 330 Nm, a jump from the 152 hp 300 Nm of its predecessor. The 2.2‑litre diesel offers 152 hp and 330 Nm, while the base 1.5‑litre diesel stays at 117 hp 300 Nm. All three variants can be paired with a six‑speed manual or, for the bigger engines, a six‑speed torque‑converter automatic.
The Thar OG sits in the 3‑door, entry‑level SUV niche that has been dominated by the Hyundai Creta 3‑door and the Tata Harrier’s entry‑level variants. With a 19‑inch alloy wheel suite and a wider track, it offers a more robust stance than the Creta’s 17‑inch wheels, and its off‑road electronics—Mud, Sand and Snow modes—outclass the Harrier’s single‑mode system.
Mahindra engineered the Thar OG on its M_Glyde 4G platform, bringing higher torsional stiffness and a new rear Pentalink‑Watt’s Link suspension that uses DAVINCI dampers for adaptive ride. Electric power steering cuts effort by nearly 30 %, a welcome change for tight parking. Safety has risen too: six airbags, four‑wheel ABS, ESP, hill‑hold, and a dedicated rollover mitigation system are standard across the range.
Styling changes are subtle but not cosmetic: a new grille, LED DRLs, corner‑sensing fog lamps, 19‑inch wheels and new “Artemis Silver” and “Jeans Blue” paint. The base trim starts at the AXT, while LXT and ZXT add more tech, and the 4WD option is available on all three trims. The vehicle is already on sale at Mahindra dealerships nationwide, and buyers can book now with a 10 % down payment.