The electric Thar is getting closer to becoming a reality. A heavily disguised Mahindra Thar EV, predicted to adopt the Thar.e moniker, has been caught testing on public roads for the first time. The development comes after the 2023 Vision Thar.e concept and is the most telling sign yet that Mahindra is pursuing a production-bound electric off-roader. Seeing a working prototype out on the road represents a major step forward in the long gestation period for the much-anticipated electric vehicle.
Unlike the current internal combustion engine Thar, which makes use of a ladder-frame platform, the upcoming Thar EV is set to utilise a dedicated INGLO EV architecture. Mahindra’s born-electric platform is likely to serve as a solid foundation for the next-generation Thar, offering a more sophisticated underpinning that retains the vehicle’s off-road credo. By shedding the ladder-frame architecture in favour of a purpose-built electric architecture, Mahindra will be able to engineer the Thar EV in a manner that a conventional powertrain chassis simply cannot permit. The INGLO platform promises to bring features such as ultra-fast charging capability and clever packaging that enhances both function and aesthetics.
The test mule suggests that the production Thar EV will broadly follow the boxy and upright design language of the current model. The vehicle is set to retain its off-road focussed design language with all-wheel-drive capability expected to form part of the production spec. These attributes suggest that Mahindra is set to deliver an electric off-roader that stays true to the spirit of the Thar while embracing the technological advancements afforded by an electric powertrain. The familiar proportions and rugged exterior visible even when cloaked in camouflage offer reassurance that the Thar EV will not compromise on its off-road credentials in pursuit of electric innovation.
Battery capacity, driving range and motor specifications have yet to be finalised. While the INGLO architecture is predicted to accommodate battery packs rated between 60 to 80 kWh, these figures should not be taken as indicative of the final spec for the Thar EV. Further development and testing will be required before the production model can be revealed to the public. Mahindra is sure to strike a balance between off-road performance, driving range and convenience in defining the technical specification of the Thar EV.
The first ever public sighting of the Thar EV test mule serves as a major step forward in Mahindra’s electrification strategy. It serves as a telling sign that the next generation Thar could very well be electric, marrying the iconic off-road capabilities of the much-loved model with the benefits of zero-emission motoring. As development progresses and further prototypes appear on Indian roads, more details concerning design finalisation, interior specification and vehicle performance are sure to follow in due course. For now, the first test sighting has whetted the appetite of Mahindra fans and observers alike, eager to see how this electrified take on the Thar will unfold in the months to come.