Mahindra Thar has soared from the starting line since it officially launched on October 2 and has surpassed 9,000 bookings in just four days since then. Thar 2020 has a starting price of ₹9.80 and now promises the same level of 4×4 capabilities but with surprising visual updates to the exterior and a vastly improved cabin. Mahindra’s hopes of targeting a wider audience base with the new Thar appear to have worked, clearly evident from the rush in reservations for the vehicle.
While reservations may not always translate into actual sales, the 9,000 bookings for Thar in just four days from launch is even higher than the roughly 9,000 bookings Kia Sonet received in 12 days. The fact that Thar 2020 was initially released in only 18 cities, in phase one, means that the achievement is even more astonishing.
Mahindra claims the Thar continues to gain popularity among the brand’s traditional admirers, but in its latest version, it’s succeeding in attracting an entirely new set of urban lifestyle seekers who primarily prefer automatic transmission and convertible top options. “We are very pleased with the overwhelming response and excitement that the all-new Thar has created,” said Veejay Nakra, chief executive officer of the automotive division of Mahindra & Mahindra. “What’s also encouraging is that the all-new Thar has had a good resonance with lifestyle seekers, families and women shoppers, thus opening up an entirely new customer pool for this iconic lifestyle 4X4 SUV.” .
Mahindra reports that since the Thar was launched, it has received 36,000 inquiries. And while phase one of the Thar launch covers 18 cities, the company plans to expand this to 100 on October 10, which could see a further increase in booking numbers.
The second generation Mahindra Thar carries on the legacy of its predecessor, which was born almost a decade ago. Mahindra has used an all-new ladder frame chassis that underpins the 2020 Thar. The idea behind the chassis update is to improve overall driving dynamics without compromising its off-road capabilities, which is why the first-generation model is still adored.
However, it’s an updated cabin that’s likely to attract new fans, as the Thar has an infotainment screen, air conditioning, splash-proof switches, ceiling-mounted speakers, and much more.
Under the hood, there is a 2.2-liter mHawk diesel engine and a 2.0-liter mStallion gasoline engine. There is also the option to choose between automatic and manual transmission.
Thar has two main series: LX and AX. While the LX is geared more towards urban residents, the AX is the raw, off-road machine Thar has always excelled at.
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