Mahindra Thar Roxx

The Mahindra Thar Roxx, launched earlier this month, is undoubtedly the most popular SUV of 2024. Besides cosmetic upgrades, the five-door vehicle’s cabin and engine options have been overhauled. Here are 10 things that deserve your attention on the Thar Roxx:

3M_GLYDE Platform

Built on the 3M_GLYDE platform, the body-on-frame SUV utilises lighter and stronger materials used in the Scorpio N. This ensures a smooth ride and handling precision. Even the NVH levels have been reduced for a premium and quiet in-vehicle experience, Mahindra claims.

Scorpion N’s Suspension Setup/ Offroad Tech

An independent suspension with frequency-dependent damping (FDD) and multi-tuning valve-concentric land (MTV-CL) dampers have been added at the front. The rear, however, gets first-in-segment HRS (Hydraulic Rebound Stopper) with FDD and MTV-CL. This results in a less bouncy ride.

As far as offroading capabilities are concerned, there is a CrawlSmart assist system which sets the speed between 2.5 - 30kmph requiring no driver input. It also houses an IntelliTurn function (as seen on Ford Bronco) for locking the rear inner wheel to aid steering at low speeds. This feature can be activated at speeds under 15kmph for 15 seconds, with the electronic locking differential disengaged.

The Thar Roxx has an electronically locking differential (ELD) that cuts power to the wheel that's not in gear while off-roading. It also has a brake lock differential for the front and rear axles. Three 4x4 drive options on offer are 2H, 4H, and 4L, with selectable snow, sand and mud terrain modes.

Scorpion N’s Petrol And Diesel Engines

The Thar Roxx is offered with both petrol and diesel engine options, the former being a 2-litre turbo petrol direct injection (TGDI) pot, while the latter is a 2.2-litre diesel. The power and torque output of the TGDI engine (only RWD) is divided into two states of tunes - 150bhp/330Nm and 174hp/380Nm.

Similarly, the diesel engine is tuned to produce 150hp of power and 330Nm of torque. This powertrain produces up to 172hp and 370Nm of torque with an automatic gearbox and 4x4 (4XPLOR) drive option. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic.

Revamped Face

Up front, the five-door Thar boasts a redesigned look comprising C-shaped LED DRLs and a six-slat grille. Mahindra has heard Thar buyers’ outcry for stronger headlights and has given the SUV a projector pair this time. The front camera has been placed in the nose’s centre but the Twin Peaks logo is absent.

All New Cabin - Dual Touchscreens, Ventilated Seats

Thar’s cabin has been adorned with features including a touchscreen infotainment system and digital driver’s display measuring 10.25-inch each, wireless charging, a six-way powered driver's seat and recline function for the second-row seats. A 360-degree camera has also been installed for better manoeuvrability.

Panoramic Sunroof Debut

In the list of Thar firsts, the panoramic sunroof sits quite above. The SUV has seen hard-plastic roofs and open-top days but this time it is different. More light enters the cabin giving it a spacious vibe.

Highest Number Of Safety Equipment In Thar Nameplate

Its safety kit highlight has to be Level 2 advanced driver’s assistance systems (ADAS). For the first time, six airbags as standard have been offered on the Thar. It also boasts ESP, ABS with EBD, traction control system, hill hold and hill descent control, rear parking sensors and three-point seatbelts for all seats as standard. Other notable safety features include a tyre pressure monitoring system, front parking sensors, a reverse camera and auto-dimming IRVM.

Engine drag torque control, vehicle dynamics control, hydraulic brake assist, rollover mitigation, brake locking differential and brake disc wiping have also been added. We also expect it to score better in crash tests than its three-door iteration as has been the case with its latest line of SUVs.

Longer Wheelbase = More Space

Dimensions have gone substantially up with the addition of two more doors and a longer wheelbase. The Mahindra Thar Roxx measures 4,428mm in length, 1,870mm in width and 1,923mm in height. Riding on a 2,850 mm-long wheelbase, which is 400mm longer than the Thar, Roxx is longer by 443mm, 50mm wider and 68mm taller. Ground clearance has been kept at a similar 226mm and the water-wading capacity is 650mm.

Production Capacity

Mahindra has invested Rs. 1,000 crore to scale up the production capacity with a combined monthly target of 9,500 units for the three-door and Roxx. Considering cannibalisation with smaller Thar and Scorpio N, the homegrown brand would look at selling 6,000 units per month.

Pricing Is King

With a total of seven trims - MX1, MX3, AX3L, MX5, AX5L and AX7L - the SUV’s petrol lineup starts at Rs 12.99 lakh and goes up to Rs 19.99 lakh. The diesel range has a price bracket from Rs 13.99 lakh to Rs 20.49 lakh, while the prices of the 4x4 variants are yet to be revealed.

For reference, Thar RWD has a starting ex-showroom price of Rs. 11.35 lakh and an additional investment of Rs. 1.64 lakh would get you a more spacious and powerful Thar Roxx MX1.

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