Could this be Mahindra’s plan to take on the Maruti Jimny?
The lifestyle vehicles segment is expanding globally at a rapid pace. The trend is also clearly visible in India where buyers have started showing interest in buying such lifestyle vehicles. Mahindra Thar is one such trendsetter that has attracted buyers towards lifestyle vehicles. This segment is now going to get some much-needed competition in the form of the upcoming Maruti Jimny. To compete with the Maruti Jimny, Mahindra is said to be working on a more affordable variant of the Thar. In this article, we will discuss the potential Maruti Jimny rival from Mahindra.
Specifications
To keep this variant of the Thar cost-effective, Mahindra will mostly offer it with a 1.5-litre diesel engine. The 2.0-litre mStallion petrol engine and 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine are not expected to be on offer. This 1.5-litre diesel engine is expected to be offered with a manual gearbox only in order to keep it cost-effective.
This variant of the Thar will get smaller 16-inch steel wheels compared to the regular 18-inch alloys. We expect Mahindra to retain the 4WD on this affordable variant of the Thar. Removing the 4WD from the Thar will make no sense as this car is famous for its off-roading capabilities.
Features to be on offer
As a cost-cutting measure, Mahindra will be providing fewer features to lower the starting price. This variant will be offered without any music system, rear wiper-washer, power windows and fog lamps. Features like cruise control, TPMS and steering mounted controls are also expected to be missing in this variant. This variant of Thar is expected to get a soft-top option only and no rear seats. Rear seats could be offered as additional dealer fitments for added convenience of buyers.
Price and Launch
There is no official confirmation from Mahindra regarding this affordable variant of the Thar as of now. This new variant of the Mahindra Thar is expected to be priced at around Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom). Looking at the upcoming competition from Maruti Jimny, Mahindra will surely look to lower the price of the Thar and make it more utilitarian. Will this off-roader attract buyers from the urban crowd? Will buyers let go of the features to gain rugged looks and reliability? Only time can answer these questions.
If you have car buying doubts click here to ask! Get the lowest price for car insurance here. For more such content stay subscribed to MotorOctane Youtube, Google News Facebook, and Twitter. Also, follow us on Flipboard and Reddit where we have a discussion community.
Comments