Mahindra Thar OG Launched in India at ₹0.32 Lakh

Mahindra has launched the latest version of the Thar 3-door, now badged the Thar OG, at a starting price of ₹0.32 lakh ex-showroom. It’s a substantial update rather than a cosmetic one, bringing a new platform, stronger engines, and a genuinely upgraded safety suite to a nameplate that’s built its reputation on off-road credibility as much as street presence.

New Platform, New Face

The Thar OG now sits on Mahindra’s M-GLYDE 4G platform, the same architecture underpinning the 5-door Thar Roxx, built around a lighter high-strength steel frame that Mahindra says improves both stiffness and torsional rigidity. The rear axle inherits the Roxx’s Pentalink suspension with a Watt’s link, while DaVinci dampers with frequency-dependent damping - first seen on the XUV 7XO - make their way onto the Thar for the first time. Off-road hardware gets a meaningful boost too: electric power steering replaces the older hydraulic setup for easier low-speed manoeuvring, an electronic locking differential joins the 4X4 system on the rear axle, and three selectable terrain modes - Mud, Sand, and Snow - are now available.

Visually, the changes are led by a new front grille with fresh “Thar” badging, flanked by LED headlamps with integrated C-shaped DRLs and ice-cube LED fog lamps that add cornering function. New front and rear bumpers, a wider track width, and larger 19-inch alloy wheels round off the exterior update, with all-LED lighting now extending to the rear tail lamp clusters as well. Higher variants also gain integrated front parking sensors. The existing six-colour palette carries over, joined by two new additions: Artemis Silver and Jeans Blue.

More Power Across the Diesel and Petrol Line-up

All three engine options continue, but two of them get meaningful spec bumps. The 1.5-litre D117 CRDe diesel stays unchanged at 117 BHP and 300 Nm in manual guise, but the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel now makes 150 BHP and 330 Nm, up from 130 BHP and 300 Nm previously, while the 2.0-litre mStallion turbo petrol climbs to 160 BHP and 330 Nm from its earlier 150 BHP and 300 Nm output in manual form. Transmission choices remain a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic, offered across both rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations.

6 Airbags as Standard, Plus a Refreshed Cabin

Braking hardware moves to all-round discs for improved stopping performance, paired with an enhanced ESP suite. Six airbags now come as standard, split between two front airbags and four head, pelvis, thorax, and shoulder airbags covering both occupant rows. Inside, the cabin gets new Truffle Brown leatherette upholstery along with a second-row armrest with cupholders, a small but genuinely useful addition for rear passengers on longer drives. Mahindra says it has also worked on reducing cabin noise, vibration, and harshness compared to the outgoing model, though specific figures haven’t been shared.

Should You Wait for the Thar OG?

The Thar OG is offered across three trims - AXT, LXT, and ZXT - with prices starting at ₹0.32 lakh ex-showroom. Between the stiffer new platform, the upgraded diesel and petrol outputs, and a genuinely stronger safety suite with 6 airbags as standard, this update addresses several of the areas buyers and reviewers have flagged on the outgoing Thar over the years, while keeping its off-road-first character intact. Full variant-wise pricing across the trim and engine combinations should follow shortly.