Electric SUV Mahindra Thar.e: brutal design and VW engines

Indian company Mahindra & Mahindra held a large-scale presentation of future products in Cape Town (South Africa), the most interesting of which was the electric SUV Mahindra Thar.e.

Exactly one year ago, Mahindra embarked on a full electrification of the model range with the goal of becoming a global manufacturer and mastering the most green-minded markets, including Europe. Mahindra has partnered with Volkswagen to develop the INGLO (stands for India Global) modular platform for future electric trains, which can however use third-party components such as BYD and Valeo electric motors.

1/5 2/5 3/5 4/5 5/5If last year's presentation was devoted to crossovers, then the current one is off-road technology, because Scorpio, Bolero and Thar SUVs today make Mahindra's main box office, and sales of all three frame models, which are so far equipped only with «hydrocarbon» power plants, are growing by leaps and bounds this year , and in general, Mahindra in January-July this year became the growth leader in the Indian market, selling 235,604 vehicles (+ 32.3% compared to the same period in 2022). In the ranking of the most popular brands in India, Mahindra currently ranks fourth after Maruti Suzuki (993,759 cars sold in January-July, + 9.4%), Hyundai (346,678 units, + 8.9%) and Tata ( 322,662 units, +7.3%.

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By the end of this decade, the current Scorpio, Bolero and Thar will have electric namesakes with the prefix «e», but so far only the Thar.e concept has been shown, and it is not yet clear when exactly it will turn into a production model — somewhere after 2027, it is unlikely sooner because Mahindra wants to bring affordable electric crossovers to market first.

The INGLO platform in the SUV application has been heavily modified: the front axle has been moved forward, the suspension travel has been increased, the wheelbase will vary from 2775 to 2975 mm, ground clearance from 250 to 300 mm, battery capacity from 60 to 80 kWh, the maximum range on one charge will be about 450 km on the WLTP cycle.

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Mahindra Thar.e will have several modifications, including single-engine rear-wheel drive (by the way, a rear-wheel drive this year appeared in the current, «hydrocarbon» Mahindra Thar). The all-wheel drive, twin-engined version of the Thar.e will most likely have VW engines, front output of 80 kW (109 hp) and 135 Nm, rear output of 210 kW (286 hp) and 535 Nm.

The concept has a 5-door body with a distinctive faceted design, a Jeep model, unlike its predecessors, if it resembles, then very remote. Door hinges are on display, as are towing eyelets and hood latches, a multi-section removable roof, and a full-size spare wheel hanging from the tailgate. The square-shaped cabin is trimmed with rough-looking materials, 50% recycled plastic, there is no trace of luxury here, the visible mounting bolts of the electronic instrument panel and multimedia screen hint at high maintainability.

Serial Mahindra Thar.e is unlikely to be cheap, so it will certainly be exported — perhaps even to the USA, where it is now under the name Roxor the extremely ascetic Mahindra Thar of the first generation is produced and sold.