The 2020 Mahindra Thar is a capable off-roader which requires no introduction. While we have already covered the first drive and other important aspects of the SUV. The most important part of the Thar, which is indeed its biggest selling point, is its off-roading capability. The most important aspects of paving your own road include – how the SUV transfers its power to all wheels, traction, ground clearance, water-wading capability, power delivery characteristics, and transmission, to name a few.
Mahindra Thar Off-road Capabilities:
| Off-Road Requirements | Mahindra Thar Off-roading capabilities |
|---|---|
| Ground Clearance | 226 mm |
| Approach Angle | 42 Degrees |
| Brake-Over Angle | 27 Degrees |
| Departure Angle | 37 Degrees |
| Water-Wading Capacity | 650 mm |
Comparing the New Mahindra Thar with its closest rival, the Force Gurkha comes with both- front and rear locking diffs. On the other hand, the Mahindra Thar only comes with the rear locking diffs and there’s a brake locking diff upfront. However, from a city driving prospective and maintenance costs, rear-wheel locking diffs are more affordable and easier to maneuver, compared to the front-wheel diff. This makes the Mahindra Thar a better city rider, for the urban jungle.
The most important but often the most overlooked aspect of any offroader are its tyres. A vehicle can have the best running gear possible but if the tyres aren’t able to match those capabilities, the story ends up spinning in one place. The Mahindra Thar comes with 255 section Ceat czar tyres, which are apt to keep spinning out of the most difficult situations. The Thar also gets BLD(Brake Locking Differential) features which help provide proper traction to each wheel. Also, the Mahindra Thar comes with a 42:1 crawl ratio, which is impressive considering its price. On the other hand, more premium offerings in the market, like the Jeep Compass Trailhawk comes with a crawl ratio of 20:1.
Power Delivery To Wheels:
Inside the cabin, the Mahindra Thar gets 3 different ways, through which you can power the wheels. The transfer case allows you to use 2H when you are driving the SUV through the city and highway, where the power will only be supplied to the rear wheels. The other option is 4H, where the power is supplied to all 4 wheels and is helpful for almost all off-road trips. There is also a 4L mode, where you get extra torque supplied to all 4 wheels, which gives it a higher amount of traction, which is useful when climbing rocks or in a tricky situation.
If all of this has your attention, the above video expands on all these topics to tell you all that you need to know about the Mahindra Thar’s off-road capabilities. As of now, this new Mahindra is a one-of-a-kind vehicle in the segment and there’s no competition whatsoever to divert your attention. If you’re looking to live some of your off-the-trail adventures, look no further. With plenty of rooftop and engine-gearbox options, the Thar is a desirable vehicle through and through.