Mahindra Has Released Their Wrangler Clone, The Thar, In RWD Form

Previously exclusively available in 4WD, the Mahindra Thar, an Indian knockoff of the Jeep Wrangler, now comes in cheaper RWD versions. The Mahindra Thar's RWD diesel trim, which starts at ₹999,000 ($12,243), has the lowest price point and benefits from the new 1.5-liter diesel engine's low tax rate.

For example, the least costly 4WD is petrol-powered and begins at ₹1,359,101 (about $16,641), while the most costly 4WD diesel automatic costs ₹1,629,100 (about $19,947). Even so, this is still much less than a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, which begins at ₹5,785,000 ($70,871) in India.

Other than removing the 4x4 logo, Mahindra didn't alter the appearance of the RWD Thar compared to the more costly 4WD. The Thar is only available in a hardtop RWD configuration; the softtop is kept for the 4WD variants. Two different drivetrains may be had for the RWD Mahindra Thar.

With a six-speed manual transmission, the 1.5-liter diesel generates 117 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The more potent turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine generates 150 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque and is paired only with a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

The same 2.0-liter petrol engine is available in the 4WD variant, but it also has a larger-displacement 2.2-liter diesel engine that produces 130 horsepower. On January 14, deliveries for the new Mahindra Thar lineup, which includes the RWD versions, will begin. The pricing shown above is only valid for the first 10,000 orders, according to Autocar India.