The Mahindra Thar, known as the Indian copycat of the Jeep Wrangler, just got even more affordable thanks to the addition of RWD variants in the previously 4WD-only range.
The most affordable trim of the Mahindra Thar is the RWD diesel starting from ₹999,000 ($12,243) benefiting from the low tax bracket of the new smaller-displacement 1.5-litre diesel engine. For comparison, the cheapest 4WD is petrol-powered and starts from ₹1,359,101 ($16,641), while the most expensive 4WD diesel automatic is priced at ₹1,629,100 ($19,947). Still, this is only a fraction of the price of a genuine Jeep Wrangler Unlimited which starts from ₹5,785,000 ($70,871) in India, although it only comes in a four-door guise, unlike the two-door Mahindra Thar.
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Mahindra didn’t change anything on the exterior of the RWD Thar compared to the more expensive 4WD, setting aside the lack of the 4×4 badge. However, you can only buy a hard-top RWD Thar, with the soft-top option reserved for 4WD models. Inside, the Thar RWD has a small storage compartment in place of the 4×4 selector, and a few repositioned controls, retaining the 7-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The Mahindra Thar RWD is available with two powertrain options. The smaller 1.5-liter diesel produces 117 hp (87 kW / 118 PS) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol produces 150 hp (112 kW / 152 PS) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque, exclusively mated to a six-speed torque converter automatic.
The 4WD model is available with the same 2.0-liter petrol engine but gets a larger-displacement 2.2-liter diesel producing 130 hp (97 kW / 132 PS). For 2023, Mahindra upgraded the Thar 4WD with a new electronic brake locking differential from Bosch, keeping the old mechanical locking differential as an option in the flagship diesel-powered trim. Additionally, all Mahindra Thar variants are now available with two new color options – Blazing Bronze, and Everest White.
Deliveries for the updated Mahindra Thar range – including the RWD variants – will start in India on January 14. As reported by Autocar India, the aforementioned prices are only applicable for the first 10,000 orders, so if you want a dirt-cheap Wrangler lookalike you should act fast.
