Mahindra Thar

Clearly, the interiors of Thar do not feature in my ideal world zones to be in and frankly there are better cocoons which can take care of my queenly needs but then the area where the Thar marks its own unique territory and does not let any trespasser of a vehicle intrude is its potential to drive on impossible terrains.

I have driven the Thar earlier and it is then that all my eager kiddish concerns of whether this one would survive harsh surfaces were answered in a slam of a jump from one crater to the other. Now in the new Thar, they have added a lockable rear differential which is a good thing if you plan to spend your weekends digging muck and driving over surfaces normally avoided by regularly styled vehicles.

The 2015 Mahindra Thar comes with a 2.5-litre diesel motor that makes 105 bhp at 3800 rpm and generates a torque rating of 247 Nm between 1800 to 2000 rpm. The motor is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. It also comes with a Borgwarner transmission case with low reduction gear. The rear differential lock is a new addition as it was a need for climbing surfaces.

Since the motor has not been touched, its behaviour remains the same. Crank up the large displacement motor and there is a constant rattle felt inside the cabin. Keep revving the motor and you feel the slight cabin movement. Now the shifts are still not the best in duty as it takes more than little effort to shift. That being said, it is only the first gear which acts stubborn as the rest of the ratios seem well distributed.

All that torque comes into play at an initial point and thus the first gear feels too tall. The higher torque also makes possible to start in 2nd gear itself. The NVH levels of the cabin are high as the cabin is semi closed. The rear canopy keeps clinging on the upper frame, the rear seats have their own set of acoustics and the squeaky sounds coming from all over makes it discomforting.

Driving it in city conditions is not recommended at all provided you don’t wish to throw and show muscle power on other citizens. The engine takes it own sweet time to gather and deliver momentum and the engine demands to be peaked at every shift to make sure there is enough power available all across the band. However, take it on less travelled surfaces and the Thar feels at home. Climb mountains, drive on peak and troughs or just make doughnuts on sand, it does all of that with great confidence. The high approach 44° and 27° departure angle makes it a great off-roader.

The new addition of rear lockable differential gives more traction while manoeuvring on such impossible terrains. The rear wheels work in tandem with the front and do not lose out on power even on slippery terrains. It is indeed a fantastic addition to the Thar and will be appreciated by enthusiasts.