[TusharK]

According to a media report, Mahindra might drop the side-facing rear seat option from the Thar altogether.



Last month, the new Thar was awarded a 4-star safety rating by Global NCAP. Usually, the base variant is picked for the test, but if safety standards are common, then the top variant is chosen. Also, alloy wheels which are often available on higher trims place a higher load on the firewall than steel wheels.



At the time of the test, the Mahindra Thar was available with side-facing seats. However, according to Alejandro Furas, secretary general of Global NCAP, Mahindra had confirmed that they had decided to pull out the side facing seat option and that it would not be available by the time the results of the test were published.



This explains why the top-end variant was chosen for the crash test. It also sheds light on Mahindra’s plan to discontinue the side-facing rear seat option.



Furas added that if Mahindra reintroduces the side-facing seats, Global NCAP would cancel the 4-star rating and retest the Thar with the side-facing seats.

Source

Link to Team-BHP News

[ruzbehxyz]

This is a very good move.
The new Thar is anyway practically a 4 seater and having side facing seats makes the rear very uncomfortable.

Front facing rear seats is a welcome move my Mahindra.

The vehicle is a perfect fit for a family of four except for senior citizens, who would have problems accessing the rear.

[amol4184]

So those handful of AX models that got delivered will be a rarity if that variant remains cancelled permanently.

[Miel]

So reintroducing the side-facing seats will cause Mahindra to lose the current GNCAP 4 Star rating for the Thar until another test is conducted. If Mahindra really has a market for a Thar AX model with side-facing seats, then they just need to reintroduce that one under another new name, and not as a "Thar" model right?
That way Mahindra can have their 4-Star GNCAP Thar and also enjoy the rural, PSU market with a lower spec "Thar" with utilitarian specs and side-facing seats.

[TejasKinger]

Originally Posted by Miel

So reintroducing the side-facing seats will cause Mahindra to lose the current GNCAP 4 Star rating for the Thar until another test is conducted. If Mahindra really has a market for a Thar AX model with side-facing seats, then they just need to reintroduce that one under another new name, and not as a "Thar" model right?
That way Mahindra can have their 4-Star GNCAP Thar and also enjoy the rural, PSU market with a lower spec "Thar" with utilitarian specs and side-facing seats.

Or what if they introduce a model like the Europe/UK-bound 2021 Suzuki Jimny. A two-seater variant that customers can customize depending on their needs.

[Vinod_nair]

Originally Posted by TejasKinger

Or what if they introduce a model like the Europe/UK-bound 2021 Suzuki Jimny. A two-seater variant that customers can customize depending on their needs.

This is a better option, as the rear 2 front facing seats are a nightmare to sit for prolonged usage.

I wonder if doing this they still loose their 4* safety rating?

[Nilesh5417]

Are there any structural changes between the side facing and front facing versions? Like change in suspension components or setup etc?

The 2 seater option with possibility of seat installation as an accessory sounds like the way to go. Esp if it doesn't impact the NCAP ratings.

[haisaikat]

Safety comes first but isn't the side facing seats at the back most convenient use case of venturing for adventures in a Jeep for situations like Jungle Safari, Surveys or traversing roads that require convenient and quick getting in and out through the rear door?

I believe M&M should keep the provision to do this adjustment may as a after market modification but not do it themselves in order to retain the GNCAP.

Originally Posted by Nilesh5417

Are there any structural changes between the side facing and front facing versions?

I believe the seat belts will not be able to function with equal effectiveness in the same way while restraining passengers from side way movements during a frontal impact rather than the forward movement when facing sideways vs facing front at the rear seats.

[wildsdi5530]

With side facing seats, if the seating capacity will go up to 10, then there are tax benefits, otherwise, side facing seats have no practical advantage.
I'm not sure what is the seating capacity of the Thar AX.

[landcruiser123]

I'm sure Mahindra's market research shows there is a market for side facing seats. If there is a demand, I'm sure the aftermarket will line up to make side facing seats an accessory. Heck, even dealers might offer it.

All this talk is plain hogwash.

[CARDEEP]

Side facing seats have to go... Period.

In UK not just the safety ratings go for toss, but the insurers have refused to insure such vehicles since last couple of years.

I'm sure only the defence & enforcement supplies will have side facing seats in long run.

[shamanth]

Originally Posted by wildsdi5530

With side facing seats, if the seating capacity will go up to 10, then there are tax benefits, otherwise, side facing seats have no practical advantage.
I'm not sure what is the seating capacity of the Thar AX.

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.

[joethomasv]

Originally Posted by shamanth

I have seen how people use side facing seats in Mahindra Jeeps in coffee estates

+1 to this. Side facing seats also free up much needed loading space to carry couple of bags of fertilisers, sprayer and other small farm equipments. My Thar DI ( or any other Mahindra with side facing seats ) easily can carry 12 50kg bags of fertiliser within the estate. A tractor is not always required.

If this news is true, I and may others won't have a viable replacement for the old workhorse.

[Comrade]

Mahindra can still give AX variant with just two front seats. Let aftermarket take care of side facing bench seats (if some owner needs side bench seats for his private use on farms or coffee estates etc without breaking laws like registered capacity with RTO etc). This way they can reduce the cost by couple of 1000s, and still maintain crash test ratings.

[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:

- Ingress & egress are simpler (from the tail-gate)

- You can fit more than just 2 passengers

- Side-facing seats haul cargo like no other

But hey, I'm not too worried as these will be the easiest to fabricate & install. That's what I'm going to do with my Thar.