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-   -   The 2020 next-gen Mahindra Thar : Driving report on page 86 (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/184808-2020-next-gen-mahindra-thar-driving-report-page-86-a-10.html)

Wow!

1. Those front seats!
2. Steering wheel looks like generations ahead of the current one.
3. Looks like a base variant, and the top end may get a touchscreen HU, going by that protruding console.
4. Side facing rear seats still? Thought they won't pass the new safety norms! Looks like a proper seat though, not just a bench.
5. Rear somehow reminds me of Bolero Invader, rather than Thar. Hopefully, it's just the camo.

Looks worth a wait. :thumbs up

Couple of things to note:

1. The previous camo pictures had the new chasis/powertrain combo but old body/dash attached to it.
2. The latest camo pictures have the new body with the following changes:
   1. The latest camo pictures have the new body with the following changes:
   2. Higher body line, like the wrangler. Unlike the current version where the body line is lower and the canvas taller.
   3. Sloped windshield without rubber beading, but paste instead (hopefully no more leaks)
   4. Much sturder B-Pillar
3. Revised dashboard.
4. Six Speed GB.
5. ABS/Air Bags (Compulsory).

I just hope they offer a factory metal hard top version. Overall, I think it will be a much better Thar. Of-course the die-hards will always complain.

Given that the Gurkha top end is 13L+ ex showroom the new Thar is likely to be priced in this category. On road will be closer to 15-16L.
In this territory, the market will shrink quite a bit.

Of course we will get more for our money but it wont be a 'beater' any more.

While you are right about the Invader influence. The progress made by the Mahindra design team in going from the mm540 to the Invader, was rolled back in the present Thar, in order to keep it true to the mm540 look. The Invader canopy was way better than 540's. Unfortunately, the trade-off is the look of it.

I wish somebody at Mahindra looks at this post and fulfills my wish.

Need AT in Thar. The day that happens will be first in line to buy Thar. Really like this jeep but cannot drive in this insane traffic a manual anymore.

Or can someone confirm if there is a way to put AT in aftermarket and the cost.

I had too many complaints with the new looks but come to think of it from an economics perspective, I guess I am overall happy that they decided to keep the model updated through BS6 and whatever hoops they need to jump through.

I prefer the current model for its looks (minus the plastics), but hey if Wrangler could do it, our Thar too can take on similar modern looks.

Will I buy one? Yes. It is still a Jeep(Category of vehicle)

Looks very tempting.

1) Good Front Seats,
2) Good Steering Wheel with mounted controls.
3) Improved Dash with possibility of a touchscreen infotainment control.
4) Higher bodyline.
5) Wider body.

Needs factory hard top option.

So this can be something I consider for having fun for a year of so and then selling off.

From the latest spy images couple of things are pretty clear;

1) The 4x4 lever looks to be placed on the L.H.S of the 6 Speed Gear Shifter lever, thereby enhancing leg room for the Driver
2) Good Front Seats with adequate back support. Hope its adjustable for height as well
3) Steering Wheel with mounted controls for ICE and maybe a cruise control (Wish list)
4) Much better looking and Improved Dash with possibility of an Android Auto compatible ICE.
5) Higher bodyline will enhance road presence.
6) Wider body with wheels pushed to the corners will enhance stability
7) Factory fitted hard top option with maybe dual color theme (Wish list )
8) Overall this looks like a vehicle which is worth living in for those long cross country trips with creature comforts.

Yes, certainly worth the wait:D

I second you on that score. If it's still a Jeep category vehicle, I'll buy.

I guess you can't satisfy everyone, but I certainly hope that a factory fitted hard top version is offered. Otherwise, the whole hassle of getting it fixed is something we can do without. Plus the reliability factor.

Was just speculating but is it possible that the Next Gen Thar will be launched later this year itself, instead of being unveiled at the Auto Expo next February. There are two reasons for 'jumping' to this conclusion. One, the current version of the Thar cannot be sold after 30 September 2019, which means production will have to stop even earlier. Two, its only April and we the spy pics we are seeing are those revealing a vehicle in an advanced stage of development.

Any thoughts?

I just hope they make a 5-door Thar with the classic Jeep front-end. Like the erstwhile Commander, even Armada. The Bolero is such a joke compared to those, in terms of looks.

What we don't realise at this moment, is that, we are surely going to miss the Bolero if it's gone someday!

Besides, if you look at what the Thar is, isn't the Bolero/Scorpio a 4-door hardtop Thar in different sizes!?

Very true, all except the Gen1 bolero, it did look good.
I think the market for such vehicles exists and are very enthusiastic about it at the same time ready to pay good money as well, however the market for small car like utility vehicles (brezza) is even larger.

Bolero is considered a necessity in a lot of rural households, the owners buy them again for the same reason, it blends in very well. ( you wont look like you have indulged in an expensive purchase )

Gen1 bolero looked the best, i miss it already. You are right, the vehicle has become part of many families, I recently drove an mhawk version which was the second one in their family. They exchanged the older vehicle after running it for 2L kms and got 4L plus in exchange value.

While the three vehicles share parts, the drive experience is different and so does the ownership.

It is a hassle and most of the hard tops have resulted in rusting of the body, where the top meets the rear tub. I noticed this on many of them. I am sure the owners felt it was necessary for it to be more useable.

They can take their time considering no alternatives but, here is what happens when they take it dor granted .Recently Tata added 4wd to xenon Yodha , I am not sure if Mahindra has a product to match this now, camper has a lower payload and the older mahindra pikup 4WD is no longer there. They better hurry.

Exactly, which is why I mentioned it. But they took away the best part of its looks i.e the front!
Early Boleros had those iconic good looks. And then they had to go and "innovate" on that timeless design.. :Frustrati.

A Wrangler-style family jeep is probably the easiest thing they can do, they just have to "see" the obvious need for it.

Oh, you're not sticking your neck out on this! I absolutely forgot how important the Scorpio was. And you are right: "well-rounded" is how many would describe the car. And you have had one for 14 years! However, it got very expensive, didn't it? They kept pushing the 4x4 version further away from the hands of most buyers. What's the point of having such a rugged vehicle if a vital ability is turned into a premium feature?

My hope is they keep price of top variant to Rs 12 lakh on-road. The rear layout is still bench. A price of beyond Rs 10 lakh for a car such as this should ensure at least four can sit in comfort.