Mahindra Thar – the off-roading gear and experience
The CRde engine variant of the Thar is available only in the 4×4 guise. However, if you are not among those who would fancy this machine for genuine off-roading purposes and would be happy flaunting its brawn on the streets, you have the option of going in for the 4×2 version, but only with the DI engine under the bonnet.
The Thar is being markted by Mahindra as a thoroughbred off-roader. And it really has the goods to deliver potent off-road performance. The Thar has a proven body on ladder frame setup and is built to military standards. In its 4×4 guise it’s equipped with a Borg Warner transfer case, with 2 Speed gear reduction – HIGH 1.0:1 and LOW 2.48:1. While the High mode is to engage 4×4 for normal or moderate off-road usage for increased traction on all four wheels, it’s the Low range ratio that really pulls you through in tricky conditions. Having a low ratio allows you to have more torque and power (but lower speeds) for any given engine speeds. This helps is climbing obstacles with aplomb, without the wheels spinning away and causing slippage. The Borg Warner transfer case on the Thar does a great job of supplying power and torque to all four wheels in both the modes, as the need may be.
However, one should keep in mind the fact that even the best off-roading vehicles in the world (especially in wet, slippery and mucky conditions) require good off-road tyres for optimum traction. I have experienced the Monteros and the Land Cruisers of the world spinning in place in wet conditions when riding on normal road-use tyres. So if you are really into off-roading, you will have to get those Bridgestones on the Thar replaced with proper lugs / knobblies before you venture out into to wild.
We drove the Thar on an off-road trail which was primarily dry, and didn’t offer too great a challenge to this vehicle as regards traction. There were some steep inclines peppered with big, loose stones, uneven surfaces, and tricky gravel. The Thar took all of it in its stride without as much as a squeak. The 200mm ground clearance goes a long way in making sure you drive over rocks without worrying about the safety of the Thar’s belly. I mostly drove in the 4×4 High mode, which was more than enough to tackle the trail. There were some huge undulations on the track where even a regulation soft SUV would have surely brushed its belly, but with the Thar we didn’t have to as much as think before attacking the terrain with disdain.
Go to next page for Mahindra Thar ‘Creature comforts’>>>