2020 Mahindra Thar Engines & Performance

Mahindra is offering the all new Thar with two engine options. There is a new 2.2 litre mHawk Turbo diesel putting out 130 hp and 300 Nm of torque. And making debut is a 2.0 litre turbo petrol motor from Mahindra’s new mStallion engine family. This new engine will do duty in Mahindra’s other models going forward. It makes a healthy 150 hp and 320 Nm (yes more than the diesel). Both engines come mated to a six speed manual gearbox and for the first time the Thar comes with a six speed torque convertor automatic gearbox. I got to sample both the engines with the auto box. The new petrol engine is brilliant and response is fantastic.  Press the accelerator and the Thar just shoots forward, catching you unaware. It is sure to surprise other unsuspecting motorists on the road too. Refinement is great and there is a strong mid-range as well. Shifts from the Aisin sourced automatic gearbox are smooth, but it is a little slow to respond for a kickdown shift. Drive it with a light foot and it is just seamless. There is also a manual mode which will be useful during off-roading.

The 2.2 mHawk diesel is impressive too. As compared to the petrol, power comes in a very linear fashion. The engine is very refined and you cant tell there’s an oil burner under the hood when you are driving at low rpms. It is only when you push it over 3000 rpm, that the diesel makes itself heard. What would be my pick? The petrol engine mated to the automatic gearbox of course. It is surprising to see how the new powertrains have made the Thar so user friendly and easy to drive.

As expected, the new Thar comes with all the 4×4 ammunition in its arsenal. It runs in 2H by default, where power is sent to the rear wheels, 4H will get all four wheels in action, and then there is 4L that will engage the low range transfer case. More goodies include mechanical locking diff on the rear axle and Brake locking differential. It has approach (41.8 deg), departure (36.8 deg) & ramp over (27 deg) angles, along with 226 mm of ground clearance and water wading depth of 650 mm. None of this hardware could be tried out on the short drive because we drove only in urban surroundings. I can’t wait to put the Thar to the test on the off beaten path, where it comes into its element. More on that soon. Off-road statistics are also displayed on the touch screen.

2020 Mahindra Thar Ride & Handling

The ride quality on the new Thar is hugely improved over the outgoing model. Sure it is a bit bouncy at low speeds, but that is because it is a body on frame SUV. But apart from that, the ride is very impressive on road. It just demolishes the potholes and other road undulations as if they didn’t exist at all. Manoeuvring  the Thar in city traffic doesn’t take much of an effort. The power steering is light and easy and is pretty sorted even at higher speeds. The tyres offer good grip and stability as well. That said I’m really looking forward to take it on the open highway to see how it performs.

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