Mahindra Thar EV off-roader set for August 15 reveal
Electric Thar.e version of Indian brand’s Jeep Wrangler lookalike could find its way to AustraliaThe Mahindra Thar will soon be offered with a battery-electric powertrain and could be sold in Australia if the expected redesign sufficiently separates the Indian brand’s 4x4 off-road SUV from the Jeep Wrangler.
Jeep parent Stellantis successfully applied through Australians courts to prevent Mahindra from launching the Thar here, due to its copycat styling that mimicked the iconic Wrangler.
Engineering prototypes of a redesigned Thar have subsequently been spotted testing in India, and now Mahindra has previewed a new concept for an EV version that will be unveiled at a Futurescsape event in South Africa on August 15.
Believed to be close to production, the all-electric 2024 Mahindra Thar.e will feature revised headlights that put some distance between it and the Wrangler, while the grille will be a solid element that includes Thar.e lettering.
The tail-lights have also been redesigned for the battery-electric version of the Thar, which will be one of a series of new EVs to be launched from the world’s largest tractor manufacturer, starting in 2024.
Five new EVs are expected to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB EV platform, under the XUV and BE sub-brands, although it’s not known whether MEB will be suitable for the rugged 4x4 off-road orientation of the Thar, which is otherwise built on a separate ladder-frame chassis.
It’s therefore too early to speculate on associated hardware such as the likely e-motor and battery capacity, although a range of up to 400km is anticipated.
Both short-wheelbase three-door and long-wheelbase five-door versions of the Thar EV are likely to be in development.
As carsales has reported, Mahindra will also unveil a near-production ute concept on August 15, based on the 2023 Mahindra Scorpio.
The production version will serve as the long-awaited replacement for the Mahindra Pik-Up that’s now expected to launch in 2025.
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