[Tejas@perioimpl]

Dear BD,

SEE! If you put in the info first, you get positive comments.

Now put in the missing data too!

[AWD]

About the soft-top/canopy, I tried the Thar yesterday, the canopy was flappy at speeds & let in air/dust from back. It was all zipped but I did not check whether it was tied/buttoned from the bottom. Btw, how does it close from bottom, over the tail gate, is it like Gypsy?

Steering is sure not confidence inspiring but P.S. is a boon. Found the positioning of pedals & steering un-comfy. Front seat legroom is great, as opposed to Scorpios tight fit.

Did not have enough time to take it off-road but even with independent suspension up-front, found the ride quality almost similar to Gypsy.

Engine has a lot of grunt, pick up is fast but reaching top-speeds takes long & one has to push hard.

Wish the floor & doors were flush fitting, here one climbs into a well. Getting in/out is a chore. No handle help provided for the driver.

Its just start of March & it was already too hot inside, A.C. is a must for extreme climates we face in North India.

The rubber strip over the dash board was already coming off!

[sreejeshmp]

AWD,

Don't worry you will get the scientific complicated explanations for this from the top But don't expect any solutions or any changes.

The rubber strip and the dash board are designed after some extreme research and spending lot of money It will prevent your ECM from electro magnetic rays and waves from The Driver or from the one who bought it only because he can't afford a 10+L 4x4 .

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Dear all - I am explaining the details on development of Thar CRDe canopy assembly.
=========
This is what the vehicle will speak to you if you talk to it. The core competence required here is very simple. It is PRODUCT CLARITY. Your comments are welcome.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

Nice detailed post Dear Behram. Am amazed at the details that engineers have to get into when they conceive a product. But these are very basic engineering process that are followed in any product or say an engineering division right?

Something like, how do i say, hmmmmmmm. Functional spec/review, moving on to design spec/review and then to pilot production/test run then feedback loop etc

Hope same thoroughness is put into the AC and hard top development and is production reality in a short while.

[slalom]

@ Bd It will be great to see a detailed explanation on the AC fitment , hope the same stringent measures are communicated to the dealers (pun intended ), without the AC , the canopy is going to flap anyway

[starter]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Nice detailed post Dear Behram. Am amazed at the details that engineers have to get into when they conceive a product. But these are very basic engineering process that are followed in any product or say an engineering division right?

Something like, how do i say, hmmmmmmm. Functional spec/review, moving on to design spec/review and then to pilot production/test run then feedback loop etc

Exactly my views too Jaggu.
And i guess, any reputed manufacturer would do this for every product.
The soft top for Thar, i guess, would be the 20th or so soft top that M&M would be doing new that BD exactly knows the issues and has hopefully nailed all of them.
Cheers,
Deepak

[Vickyb18b]

I just read through the whole thread and would like to know if Mahindra has any intention to sell the THAR in Bangladesh. I DO NOT care about how bad the interiors are or how the Canopy Flaps. I want it!! Any indications on if the car will be exported? Also, if it is exported, will I get the SA version or the India version?

[Thar4x4]

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

===================
This is what the vehicle will speak to you if you talk to it. The core competence required here is very simple. It is PRODUCT CLARITY. Your comments are welcome.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

Dear DB Sir,

I am very impressed with your posts on this thread, I really appreciate your efforts on building Thar and giving this much details for us, I talked with Sudarshan Sir from Pune about you, I can't imagine that someone can be this much dedicated to his work.

I am big fan of Thar CRDe however can't afford it right now as I have other vehicle and responsibilities.

Presently I am going for MM550 to get feel of jeep and then certainly to Thar in next year, it's my dream (which is my handle here).

Thanks you very much!

Vishal

[AWD]

Friends which color in the Thar do you like the best & which color is in most demand?

So far I have seen only Silver & Maroon Thars, Black & Rocky beige are still to be spotted.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Nice detailed post Dear Behram. Am amazed at the details that engineers have to get into when they conceive a product. But these are very basic engineering process that are followed in any product or say an engineering division right?

Something like, how do i say, hmmmmmmm. Functional spec/review, moving on to design spec/review and then to pilot production/test run then feedback loop etc

Hope same thoroughness is put into the AC and hard top development and is production reality in a short while.

Dear Jaggu - your comments are absolutely correct. What I have stated is elementary. I have deliberately put in this detailed post on one part like canopy. This is one of the parts that a user easily identifies with. The development of this part and also the complete vehicle is an extension of the rational thought processes of the team of development engineers. If I had not done this, it is quite possible that people would have had subconscious thoughts that "finally it is just a canopy, my tailor can do a better job than M&M" as they were saying sometime back that "my mechanic can build a better vehicle than M&M". Even if you have access to the best tailor / mechanic, at best he can make one canopy / build one vehicle. There is no way, repeat, no way he can match production. We have to build volumes every day. At least now the populace knows how much effort goes into providing a simple looking part like canopy. Read the replies. They are appreciating. Now they can actually see the value for money in the canopy and finally in the whole vehicle. I can pen down such details for each and every part. Everything is in my head, I just have to type. I am not getting time to do it but I now believe that this is the only way to get 100% customer delight and build customers as brand ambassadors for life.

Dear all - the general awareness in the open market out there as regards the vehicle development process for any vehicle is now building up which is a positive sign. If I get time, I will provide more details. Please PM me in case you need any specific information.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[Jaggu]

I don't think anybody meant they can build better vehicle than M&M, what they would have meant is they can better the product and customize it for their use The canopy part am still not very sure, one will have to definitely work on it to make it AC ready.

And personally i would prefer a fiber hardtop for such a purpose. Both from security as well as efficiency/longterm maintainability angle.

[maddy42]

@BD sir: Glad your taking interest in keeping us updated.

Few queries being asked frequently

1) What are the sales figures of the vehicle and could you give us a breakup
2) Is hard top ever going to be available as an accessory?

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Maddy42 - point no 1, you may refer to SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) information portal, point no 2, put on the cap of a vehicle development engineer, you will guess the answer. .

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

I AM A VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT / VEHICLE TEST ENGINEER. I HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD. .

[speedy]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

I don't think anybody meant they can build better vehicle than M&M, what they would have meant is they can better the product and customize it for their use The canopy part am still not very sure, one will have to definitely work on it to make it AC ready.

And personally i would prefer a fiber hardtop for such a purpose. Both from security as well as efficiency/longterm maintainability angle.

Actually Jaggu the top is pretty well insulated with respect to AC use, atleast in my car. The top has channels running alont the edges and there is a little extra part of the top that comes below it that actually flaps a little near the door. This i presume is what gives the feeling of the top not being insulated well for the AC.

If you are going to use the car as a daily drive, then you do not get a sense of security with the car. A Hard top can be made and like you mentioned it would increase the AC efficiency too.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by speedy

Actually Jaggu the top is pretty well insulated with respect to AC use, atleast in my car. The top has channels running alont the edges and there is a little extra part of the top that comes below it that actually flaps a little near the door. This i presume is what gives the feeling of the top not being insulated well for the AC.

But speedy isn't this the same as that came in later model 550? The flap you refer to is an additional but which comes in handy for rain water channeling if i understood correct.

Sreeraj's 550 has one of the best OE tops, still its not leak proof or anything. I have seen a classic which was beefed up, but superb insulation with additional soft thermocoal lining and all. Almost nill air leak even with that soft doors. This was way back in 2000.

Yes the current top is good but not the best that is possible, a specialist like Allen can work on this and make it better.