Safety – Reason for Thar 6-Seat Permanent Discontinuation

Mahindra Thar has got a 4-star rating in the GNCAP safety tests. This crash test results were of the higher end of the Thar and not base variant which got bench seats making a 6-seat. So this means that the base variant of the vehicle, Thar 6-seat is not as safe as the higher variants. What is the catch? What will happen if the 6 seat version is introduced again?

GNCAP policy

Also Read: Mahindra Thar Variants – Which to Buy?

If the GNCAP test a base vehicle of any vehicle then the rating is applicable for all the variants above it. Now the safety standards on the higher variants are much higher. Now there is a lot of difference which affect safety. Changes like the alloy wheels to the steel wheels affect the safety of the vehicle.

Also Read: Mahindra Thar 21-inch Wheel Modification

Secretary-General of GNCAP said that Mahindra confirmed to them that the Thar 6-seat will be discontinued till the time the results of the Test will be published. So what happens if Mahindra reintroduces the Thar 6-seat?

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In that case, GNCAP will have to cancel the current rating of the Thar and conduct one more test for the Thar 6-seat which then will be the rating for that vehicle. In any case, Mahindra might not compromise on sale for one variant which one can also get fitter in the aftermarket.

Why is Thar Safe?

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The Thar 4-seat is safe because of the front-facing seats. all the 4 passengers get 3 point seatbelts with pre-tensioners. The airbags also add to the driver and passenger safety. Also, the passenger cell for the Thar is very stable and strong. It has been cleverly engineered to divert the crash pulses and forces around the structure than deforming and transferring it into the cabin.

Also Read: Mahindra Thar Waiting Period Increased

The Thar 6-seat on other hand has the same shell but the seating arrangement prevents from providing 3 point seatbelts as well as reduce the effect of the 2-point seatbelt because of the direction in which the passengers are seated.

Also Read: Mahindra Thar – LX vs AX

All the above-mentioned reasons and the good 4-star rating for the Mahindra Thar confirms that Mahindra is not going to sell the Thar 6-seat again. What they could do is offer it as an optional extra but that might depend on the demand.

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