Mahindra Thar 5-Door Model To Be Developed, Project Greenlighted

2021 Mahindra Thar Galaxy Grey — Despite giving it a hard top, the automaker feels the SUV will have limited appeal

Mahindra is set to develop the 5-door model of the latest generation Thar as the project has gotten the green-light from the automaker’s top bosses.

Ever since the 2021 Thar was unveiled, talks about a 5-door variant of the vehicle began big time. Soon, it transpired that Mahindra was considering the new variant of the off-road vehicle as well.

Now, it has come to light that the project has been approved and the Mahindra Thar 5-door model will indeed be developed. To be based on the soon-to-be-launched second generation Thar, the model with extra doors will get an elongated wheelbase.

The utility vehicle maker may have come to this conclusion due to it realising the fact that the Thar will only appeal to a limited set of audience despite it being positioned as a daily driver.

A more practical model with rear doors and a solid cabin will be accepted widely as opposed to the current model that can be also be had with a hard top, but is compromised on certain aspects.

Engine options for the new variant are expected to stay the same, although Mahindra might eke more power out of the motors and give them a more road-oriented tune. Expect both petrol and diesel units and auto and manual gearbox options to be offered.

Similarly, the 5-door Thar is expected to carry over the features, including off-road oriented ones, from the 3-door variant. However, Mahindra may give the upcoming variant more equipment and there is no saying it won’t.

When it gets launched, expect the Thar 5-door model to command a premium over the 3-door variant. It will rival the new generation Force Gurkha and the 5-door Suzuki Jimny, provided the latter gets launched at all.