Mahindra's electric adventure: Thar SUV inches closer to the production line

Delhi : An important step towards production has been taken with the formal homologation of the Mahindra Thar electric SUV (Thar.e), which was first exhibited as a concept in August. Anand Mahindra, the chairperson of the Mahindra Group, has stated that this electric SUV would be produced. Although there is no official debut date yet, it is anticipated to happen within the next two to three years. Through a comprehensive evaluation of the vehicle's performance, emissions, safety features, and construction standards, homologation guarantees that it satisfies all necessary technical and regulatory criteria to be considered roadworthy.

The Mahindra Thar.e concept car is a rough beauty with standout features including a lot of ground clearance, an upright posture, squared-off fenders, and flat panels. The SUV has a strong bumper, headlights that are square and quartered, and a rectangular grille with three LED slat pieces at the front. The rear profile is sleek and functional.

Though the traditional ICE-powered Thar is built on a ladder-frame chassis, Mahindra's modified INGLO-P1 specialized EV platform serves as the foundation for the electric Thar. Because of its adaptability and ability to accommodate different wheelbase lengths and heights, its skateboard-style architecture puts it in a good position for future electric SUVs. It is anticipated that the Mahindra Thar electric SUV would have a larger wheelbase than its internal combustion engine predecessor.

The Mahindra Thar.e has a three-spoke, multifunction steering wheel with a flat top and bottom, a long central console that houses a special gear lever, and driving mode settings that are dependent on the terrain. The bucket seats in the SUV have a squarish design, strong grab grips, and striking red accents. The dashboard, which has an integrated touchscreen display, keeps its flat form.

For its skateboard-based electric SUVs, Mahindra will first purchase batteries and motors; the electric Thar would probably have a more powerful electric drivetrain from Volkswagen. With a bigger 80kWh battery pack, the carmaker has previously stated that its future electric SUVs could have an amazing range of 435–450 kilometers under the WLTP cycle.