Discover the Mahindra Thar Rear Wheel Drive: Features, Design, and Value
The Mahindra Thar is known for its rugged looks and adventurous spirit. Now, a new Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) variant is available, offering a strong presence with practical features for everyday driving. Let’s explore what this tough SUV brings to the road.
Bold Exterior Design and Robust Dimensions
The Thar RWD maintains the iconic, muscular design of its 4×4 sibling. You will see prominent Thar branding on the body and wheels. It features a dual wiper and washer system at the front.
This RWD model offers the same commanding road presence.
- Length: 3985 mm
- Width: 1855 mm
- Height: 1925 mm
- Ground Clearance: A solid 226 mm
Key Exterior Features
The Thar RWD comes equipped with practical and stylish elements:
- Wheels: Large 18-inch alloy wheels that look impressive.
- Tires: MRF all-terrain tires with a section of 255/65 R18 for good grip.
- Brakes: Disc brakes at the front, offering reliable stopping power.
- Cladding: Thick, black cladding runs along the sides, adding to its tough appeal.
- Mirrors: Outside mirrors are in a matte black finish, manually foldable, and electrically adjustable.
- Foot Steps: Convenient foot steps are provided for easy entry and exit.
- Rear Profile: The back design is muscular and solid, featuring LED backlights with Thar branding.
- Other Rear Features: A defogger, a high-mount stop lamp, and a black-finished boot handle are included. The blacked-out bumper houses two reverse parking sensors. A reverse parking camera is available as an accessory.
- Boot Access: The boot opens in two parts – first the gate, then the glass. Boot space is minimal unless the rear seats are folded.
- Fuel Filler: The fuel filler cap requires a key to open, giving a classic feel.
- Color Options: Available in Grey (as shown), Black, Red, Aqua Marine, Rocky Beige, White, and Brown.
Understanding the Rear Wheel Drive Variant
This Thar is a Rear Wheel Drive (4×2) variant. You can identify it by the absence of the 4×4 lever inside. It offers the same overall feel and look as the 4×4 variant, but without the four-wheel-drive system. Opting for the RWD can save you approximately 3 to 3.5 lakh rupees compared to the 4×4 variant, making it a more accessible choice if intense off-roading is not your primary need.
Comfortable and Feature-Rich Interior
Step inside the Thar RWD to find a functional and robust cabin:
- Dashboard: The dashboard is entirely black, designed to be tough and durable.
- Door Features: Door openers are in a black finish. Thar branding is also visible inside. Electric controls are provided for ORVM adjustment. Door pockets can hold small bottles.
- Seating: Seats offer both height adjustment and recline options. The rear seats can be accessed by folding and sliding the front seat forward, which might be a bit tricky for some. Legroom and headroom in the second row are moderate, suitable for two passengers. Both rear headrests are adjustable.
- Roof Features: The hard-top roof houses speakers and tweeters. A soft-top option is also available.
- Driver’s Cockpit:
- Steering Wheel: Features Mahindra branding, media controls, cruise control, and voice command buttons.
- Instrument Cluster: An analog cluster with a central Multi-Information Display (MID) screen shows a Thar animation on ignition. The speedometer goes up to 180 km/h, with a tachometer on the left.
- MID Screen: Provides information like settings, Trip A, Trip B, DRL status, and more.
- Touchscreen Infotainment: A touchscreen system supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, USB, and Aux connectivity. It also displays car information such as TPMS, alerts, fuel info, mileage, and range.
- AC Controls: Manual AC with glossy black finished, ring-shaped vents.
- Other Controls: Hazard light switch, traction control, hill descent control, lock/unlock buttons, seat belt warning, and side airbag on/off switches are present.
- Charging & Storage: A 12V charging outlet, USB port, and Aux port are available, along with small storage spaces for phones or other items.
- Transmission: It features a 6-speed manual transmission.
- Power Windows: Controls for the front power windows are conveniently placed.
- Glove Box: Offers standard space for documents.
- Airbags: Dual airbags (two in total) for safety.
- IRVM & Sun Visors: A manually adjustable IRVM. The sun visor includes a vanity mirror on one side and a ticket holder on the other.
Powerful Engine Options
The Thar RWD variant comes with a capable diesel engine:
- RWD Diesel Engine: A 1.5-liter D117 CRDe diesel engine that delivers 117 bhp of power and 300 Nm of torque. This engine offers a mileage of approximately 17-18 kmpl.
- Other Options (in 4×4): For comparison, the 4×4 variants offer a 2.2-liter mHawk diesel engine (130 bhp, 300 Nm, ~15 kmpl) and a 2.0-liter mStallion petrol engine.
Advanced Safety Features
Safety is a priority in the Thar RWD, equipped with a range of features:
- ABS with EBD (Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution)
- Dual Airbags
- Reverse Parking Sensors
- Roll-over Mitigation
- Seat Belt Warning
- Traction Control
- TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
- ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
- Hill Descent Control
Pricing and Value
The Mahindra Thar Rear Wheel Drive (LX variant) offers a compelling package for its price. The ex-showroom price is approximately 12.74 lakh rupees. On-road, this variant can be around 14.90 lakh rupees (in Lucknow, for example). This makes the Thar RWD an attractive option for those seeking the iconic Thar look and capability without the full 4×4 system.
