Rumour has it that Mahindra’s highly anticipated 5-door Thar, code-named “Thar Armada” internally, will launch in the Indian market in the middle of 2024. However, Rajesh Jejurikar, executive director and CEO of Mahindra & Mahindra, has now verified this on an earnings call. A wider range of consumers who desire a proper off-road vehicle without sacrificing the utility of a regular automobile will be served by this enlarged version of the legendary Thar 3-door off-road vehicle.
Mahindra has also taken steps to alleviate the lengthy 1.5-year wait period for the 3-door Thar. Jejurikar has verified that an independent production line will be utilised to construct the Armada. This specific production line is an indication of the company’s dedication to meeting the demand for the five-door model. Thus, the introduction of the 5-door Thar Armada won’t lengthen the 3 door Thar’s waiting period.
With a wheelbase that is 22% larger than the current Thar, the Thar Armada is expected to offer more cabin room and practicality than the 3-door variant, making it a more family-friendly choice. The Armada will now only have a metal roof with a soft roof liner, something the three-door Thar lacks, and will no longer be available with the soft convertible top and hard fibreglass roof choices that the three-door Thar had.
It’s expected that the Thar Armada will have more potent engine options than the current Thar. anticipated to be powered by the 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol and 2.2-liter diesel engines seen in the Scorpio-N. The diesel engine will provide 172 horsepower and 370 or 400 Nm of torque, while the petrol engine will create 200 horsepower and 370 or 380 Nm of torque. Six-speed torque convertor automatic and six-speed manual transmissions will be available. It is anticipated that the vehicle would debut simultaneously with both 4×4 and 4×2 options.
The 5-door Thar differs from the 3-door Thar in that it has a more feature-rich cabin with a new 10.25 infotainment system, wireless phone connectivity, and automated climate management. Unlike the three-door Thar, which is all black, the interior of Armada has a beige and black theme.
The Thar Armada is anticipated to carve out a distinct place for itself in the Indian market by providing an appealing blend of contemporary amenities, off-road prowess, and practicality. The future 4X4 doesn’t have any direct competitors, but because of price overlap, it may compete indirectly in terms of features and cost with small SUVs like the Creta and Seltos. The advent of the 5 door Thar Armada could also affect sales of the Maruti Jimny, whose main selling point is its practical 5 door configuration compared to the 3 door layout of the Thar.
