[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by shamanth

I have seen how people use side facing seats in Mahindra Jeeps in coffee estates, its used to ferry people for short distance from workers residents to work area, side seats can seat 3 each and another couple on the floor, another 3 people in front. So totally ferrying around 11-12 people. This is especially needed for village areas to transport people for short duration, and i guess at least earlier most Thar buyers used to be from these hilly regions.

The utilitarian Jeep duties are being taken over by Camper 4WD, it's drive train, engine and gearing is more suited for that job than 2020 Thar which should be the estate owner's Jeep.

[84.monsoon]

Originally Posted by shamanth

I have seen how people use side facing seats in Mahindra Jeeps in coffee estates, its used to ferry people for short distance from workers residents to work area, side seats can seat 3 each and another couple on the floor, another 3 people in front. So totally ferrying around 11-12 people. This is especially needed for village areas to transport people for short duration, and i guess at least earlier most Thar buyers used to be from these hilly regions.

I think the Thar, as it is offered today is too expensive and content rich for such an utilitarian future. A 2 litre direct injected turbo petrol/2.2 litre state of the art turbo diesel, all that 4x4 hardware, plus all the safety equipment etc. make it a costly platform. If M&M want to go back to the work-horse market, they can throw in the 1.5 diesel from the Marazzo instead, as well as side facing rear seats, remove 4X4 and other luxury features and look to introduce the Thar-lite at 7-8 lakhs.

[gb97ce6]

Our family had a blast when touring along with my friend’s family in their previous gen Thar. That would have been impossible with front facing seats just because of the head count and we would have been forced to take a bigger vehicle. It was a very rough ride but added to the experience especially with the rear soft top flap opened. I think many who can’t fit a 5th or 6th person will certainly choose a side facing option in the after market

[sgmuser]

M&M is known for its creativity and innovation *cough* ground clearance *cough* 1.99 lit engines*

They should not do away with side seats and we are wasting the time and effort went into the R&D and testing.

Rather simply give a different name with a sticker. Here are my ideas Thar Go, Thar Plus Thar Ultra, Thar Sidewinder, Thar SVN or Thar 7

My option would be the Top end Auto Diesel side ways seats.

[Babruvahanaaaaa]

According what I heard from an SA, M&M have discontinued the AX variant altogether. Waiting period in Bengaluru is 6 months right now, according to him.

[TAHR]

There was a time when I was considering knocking off the two side-facing rear seats in my Thar and, either having unhindered access to a wide, open loading bay or fabricating a lockable compartment, flush with the wheel arches, to stow away all my photography gear.

I couldn't get myself to do it because the side-facing seats are so characteristic of the iconic basic jeep look. Plus, in my frequent sojourns in forested areas, I know how important it is to have a people-mover option to help those poor souls trudging long distances to their villages.

Now, if the new Thar is no longer going to be available with side-facing seats, it gives me all the more reason to hold on to them, as it would most certainly raise the 'classic' quotient a few more notches higher

[Durango Dude]

Good riddance, have travelled in one from Chennai to Pulicat lagoon in an MM540 must say it's deeply uncomfortable and with broken roads ride becomes bumpy that you need to hold on to something all the time it was a soft top so held on to the metal scaffolding for the soft top all through.

[fz_rider]

Originally Posted by GTO

Damn, and here I was hoping that Mahindra will introduce side-facing rear seats in the LX variant as that's the trim I'm buying. I love side-facing seats because:

Most of us who love to drive almost never sit in rear seats. But ask someone who feel nauseated on side facing seats, they will say just ban them.

[.HEM]

I feel Mahindra would have decided for this, as they have placed THAR as more of a daily use car for the urban people to enjoy them, than for the OFF roaders.

I'm sure 90% of the THAR that is sold now won't even see the mud and rocks. The side facing seats will be more suited for open top, off-roading , 4X4, as it is very practical while offloading and can be used and abused. The front facing seats won't offer the space for loading a 20L water can or a Jerry can for diesel, while going for offloading.

I'm sure I will buy one next year, just for my daily use