Mahindra Thar Roxx: “Mahindra Thar is the pride of Mahindra Automotive and this iconic brand has thus far sold over 9 Lakh vehicles since its launch over 10 years ago.
The new Mahindra Thar was launched on 21 September, and bookings for the same began the next day. Continuing a legacy that dates back to the 1940s, this latest model retains the iconic off-road DNA of its forebears, but takes it a step beyond the unadorned functionality of those early machines with upmarket touches—like its particularly handsome white interior.
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Mahindra Thar Roxx Design Philosophy: The Best of Both Worlds
With a bold stance that pays homage to the model’s heritage and adds a modern design twist, there is no hiding the Thar Roxx as it comes towards you.
The front end includes a signature seven-slot grille and available LED headlights with stylish DRL’s. The prominent bonnet bulge and flared wheel arches help retain the muscular looks integral to the Thar DNA.
The new model keeps essentially the same silhouette, yet Mahindra’s designers have made discreet changes, with more refined surfacing and tighter panel gaps.
The hard-top is the object of special attention, with the possibility of a dual-tone finish that gives the impression of a lower roof without reducing the height and therefore the headroom inside.
For example, the Roxx rolls on big 18-inch, all-terrain tires mounted on alloy wheels, which give the Roxx super off-road cred while maintaining some kind of on-road comfort–a nice mutual understanding for how these type of rigs are being used these days.
If we continue to head in this direction, the use of functional stuff like rock sliders and skid plates becomes a less “tack-on-y” and looks like well-thought out elements of style as opposed to purely functional accoutrements.
Revolutionary White Interior
Mahindra Thar Roxx The biggest deviation from Thar custom is the white interior package that is being offered. This brave decision elevates the cabin from merely functional to truly premium, giving it an open, sophisticated feel which goes against preconceptions for a serious off-roader.
With its white leatherette upholstery with contrast copper stitch and embossed Thar logos, the service technician ensures your car feels luxurious much like a luxury saloon.
Soberingly for the visored vanguard, Mahindra has got on top of some of the practicality issues by taking the science of materials to new levels.
The surfaces feature hydrophobic nanotechnology which keeps liquids off and prevents staining, while heavy-use areas are constructed with more durable materials that are wear-resistant.
The dash layout retains a driver-centric feel but with new, softer touches and more exact fitment. At the core of it all is a 10.25-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system combined with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster with the ability to show off-road vehicle telemetry information.
Hardware controls for climate and critical off-road quantities are still in place, operational with gloved hands and in the event of inclement weather.
The white colourway – featured on the door panels and the headliner – ultimately resonates throughout the interior, adding to the overall sense of light and space, complemented by subtle ambient lighting that illuminate the car’s structure in the evening.
The thoughtfully positioned grab handles, finished in brushed aluminum, signal at the technical capabilities of the vehicle while helping to make the MCO instantly accessible when performing off-highway maneuvers.
Mahindra Thar Roxx Performance of Dhakad
The term “dhakad” epitomises the colossal package of capabilities driving the Thar Roxx’s street-smart looks. Powertrains on offer are a grown-up and evolved 2.0 litre mStallion turbocharged petrol engine with 162 bhp and 380 Nm torque and a 2.2 litre mHawk diesel that makes 152 bhp and a meaty 330 Nm of torque at low-end which ensure the real SUV character.
Transmission options are a slick six-speed manual or a revised six-speed torque-converter automatic that features much better refinement than its predecessor.
The 4×4 system is still hardcore-percenter-proper with a two-speed transfer case for real low-range ability — just now with an electronic rear differential lock as standard.
The chassis structure has been reinforced for a higher level of torsional rigidity whilst weight has been kept to a minimum with the utilisation of high-strength steel in areas where the greatest loads are placed.
That comes alongside a full recalibrateion of the suspension geometry, which is augmented by frequency-selective dampers that firm up when you’re on tarmac for a through-the-wheel feel of tarmac smoothness, then gradually degenerate in the twisty and challenging off-road conditions.
Off the tarmac, the approach, departure, and breakover angles are still pretty fantastic at 41.8, 36.8 and 26.2 degrees respectively. The ground clearance is a meaty 226mm and for wading through water, it will duck up to 650mm, all of which actually back the ‘dhakad’ off-road claims made for the this pampered new product.
Technology Which Stays Unseen as You Stay Connected with the World phase : 9fernIt is hidden on your belt/luggage/your cloth.
The Thar Roxx retains its adventure-ready DNA even as it does not let go of its modern connectivity. AdrenoX connected car platform comes with embedded adventure features that include real-time vehicle pitch and roll angles, compass heading, and wheel articulation data. The system can record off-road paths which could be useful for reference later or to share with other Thar owners.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is also available with the infotainment system, plus a built-in adventure log with embedded photos and ride metrics can track memorable journeys. A specialized off-road mode rearranges display features to focus on trail information and minimize other distractions.
Other practical tech touches are littered around the cabin too – heaps of USB-C ports (three up front that reach back, three in the middle row and two for the third row) and a 230V powerpoint for camp site appliances as well as wireless charging for compatible phones.
The available adventure pack brings a roof-mounted LED light bar, recover points and air compressor for tyre inflation—bit of real off-road grunt, not just the look of it.
Market Positioning and Launch
Mahindra has placed the Thar Roxx as a premium addition to the Thar family and not as a replacement to the existing models. This strategy recognizes that the F-150 nameplate’s appeal (and potential profit) isn’t just for the dedicated fanatics, but for the lifestyle pickup customer looking for a unique ride that is actually capable in the real world.
The TUV range is priced at ₹17.5 lakhs for the base rear-wheel-drive variant and up to ₹25.8 lakhs for the fully loaded four-wheel-drive (4WD), automatic with white interior package (all prices ex-showroom). T
his slots the Thar Roxx above the regular compact SUVs, but it’s still relatively affordable, when you consider that premium import brands with this kind of spec will cost far more than that.
Mahindra Thar Roxx Conclusion
The Mahindra Thar Roxx is a well-judged iteration that will only grow the iconic nameplate’s fanbase without selling out its real off-roading roots.
By marrying an attractive white interior option with improved off-road credentials, Mahindra gave us a 4×4 that can handle both challenging trails and city streets with ease.
For the increasing number of buyers looking to buy vehicles that represent to the world that they could go off-road if they really wanted to but don’t want to have to give up the bulk of its comfort quotient to prove their manliness, the Thar Roxx seems to it is for these men and women – a genuinely capable “dhakad” off-roader but one that doesn’t look overly primitive so when it’s parked you don’t come out to find people running helter-skelter away from it.
