Mahindra Thar OG Unveiled in India: New Grille, More Power and Major Upgrades

Mahindra has unveiled the updated three-door Thar in India, and unlike a conventional mid-life facelift, the new model brings substantial changes underneath the familiar silhouette.

Called the Thar OG, the updated SUV gets a redesigned exterior, more powerful engine options, revised suspension and steering, additional safety equipment and several features that were previously associated with the larger Thar Roxx.

The biggest visual change is at the front. Mahindra has replaced the outgoing Thar's seven-slot grille with a five-slot design, accompanied by redesigned bumpers and new lighting elements.

The top-spec version gets LED headlamps with C-shaped daytime running lights, LED fog lamps with cornering functionality and 19-inch alloy wheels. The rear also gets revised tail-lamps inspired by the Thar Roxx.

Underneath, the changes are considerably more significant. The Thar OG moves to Mahindra's M_Glyde 4G platform, which was introduced with the Thar Roxx. It also receives a Pentalink rear suspension with Watts Link and Mahindra's DAVINCI damping technology. The top-spec version additionally gets frequency-dependent damping.

Another important change is the switch from hydraulic power steering to electric power steering. This should make the three-door Thar easier to manoeuvre at low speeds, particularly in tight urban spaces and while parking.

Mahindra has also added an electronic locking differential to applicable 4WD versions, along with dedicated Mud, Sand and Snow terrain modes. These additions give the compact Thar a more comprehensive off-road hardware package than before.

The engine range continues with three powertrains, but the two larger engines have received noticeable upgrades. The 2.2-litre diesel now develops around 152hp and 330Nm, up from 130hp and 300Nm in the outgoing model.

The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol now produces around 162 hp and 330 Nm, compared with 150 hp and 300 Nm previously. The 1.5-litre diesel remains the entry-level option, producing around 119 hp and 300 Nm.

The 2.2-litre diesel and 2.0-litre petrol are available with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, depending on the variant, while buyers can choose between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. An automatic gearbox is also now available with the 2.2-litre diesel in its RWD configuration.

Mahindra has addressed another weakness of the outgoing three-door Thar by expanding its safety equipment.

The top ZXT variant gets six airbags, four-wheel disc brakes, tyre-pressure monitoring and a rear-view camera, while front parking sensors are also available on the range-topping version. Electronic stability control with functions including hill-hold, traction control and rollover mitigation is offered from the AXT trim upwards.

Inside, the changes are more restrained. The Thar OG gets new brown leatherette upholstery and second-row armrests with integrated cupholders. Higher variants feature a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a colour instrument display, cruise control and additional charging and convenience features.

Could the Mahindra Thar OG finally come to Nepal?

For Nepal, the more interesting question is whether this updated three-door Thar could eventually make its way into the market. There is currently no official confirmation from Mahindra regarding a Nepal launch of the Thar OG. So, at this stage, there is no launch timeline to report.

The new five-slot grille may nevertheless remove some of the visual baggage surrounding the Thar's design, but it should not be interpreted as proof that a Jeep-related legal battle was previously stopping Mahindra from exporting the Thar to international markets. The legal history is more specific to the Roxor and the US market.

That said, the Thar OG is now a substantially updated product rather than simply a cosmetic refresh. With the newer platform, improved suspension, electric steering, more powerful engines and upgraded safety equipment, Mahindra has effectively repositioned the three-door Thar while retaining its core off-road character.