Mahindra is gearing up to launch a more budget-friendly variant of the Thar ROXX SUV. This version will feature a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, currently available in the rear-wheel-drive model of the 3-door Thar. The reason for delaying this lower-cost Thar ROXX variant is Mahindra’s effort to preserve the appeal of the 3-door Thar for those seeking a cost-effective, “Jeep-like” SUV.
A Cost-Effective Thar ROXX on the Horizon
The 1.5-liter diesel engine, also found in the XUV300 and Marazzo MPV, is expected to come with a 6-speed manual transmission in the Thar ROXX. Although this engine is offered with a 6-speed automatic gearbox in the XUV300, it’s unlikely to be included in the Thar ROXX.
In both the 3-door Thar and the XUV300, this turbo diesel engine delivers 121 bhp and 300 Nm of torque, and similar performance is expected in the Thar ROXX. While the engine might seem slightly less powerful given the Thar ROXX’s 1.8-ton weight, it will likely attract buyers looking for an affordable version of the 5-door SUV. Additionally, it will have more power than the diesel engines offered in rivals like the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta.
Petrol 4X4 Thar ROXX Coming Later
Initially, Mahindra faced overheating issues with the petrol 4X4 variants of the 3-door Thar, but these were addressed with a redesigned radiator. Even though the 4WD option is available in the top trims of the 3-door Thar, Mahindra has opted not to offer a 4WD version for the 2-liter petrol models of the Thar ROXX at launch. However, a petrol 4X4 variant is expected to be introduced later, which is crucial for markets like Delhi NCR, where petrol vehicles have a 15-year usage limit compared to diesel’s 10-year restriction.
Insights from Mahindra’s Leadership
Rajesh Jejurikar, Group CEO of Mahindra’s Auto Division, acknowledged the potential overlap between the 3-door Thar and the Thar ROXX. To avoid internal competition, the 1.5-liter diesel engine hasn’t been introduced in the Thar ROXX yet, leaving space for the 3-door Thar to maintain its unique market position. Mahindra’s production capacity is designed to be flexible between these models. Jejurikar emphasized that volume growth is crucial for achieving better costs, strong supplier partnerships, and motivated dealerships. He hinted at more versions and variants being added to the Thar range as Mahindra aims to become the leading automaker in the next 3-5 years.