With the unveiling of the Thar.e Concept, Mahindra is venturing boldly into the imaginative landscapes of conceptual realms. The Thar.e Concept SUV is for the avid off-road enthusiast, a persona that is increasingly synonymous with the contemporary trend of individuals who are prone to indulging in vanity, frequently sharing their “off-roading” exploits on platforms like Instagram. The irony lies in how the authentic essence of “off-roading” has transformed into an experience centred around exclusive private glamping events, rather than the traditional rugged exploration it once embodied.

Concept cars are crafted with the dual purpose of generating substantial publicity and serving as a platform to exhibit the forthcoming product pipelines’ styling and design language. Will the Mahindra Thar.e concept be turned into a production-ready SUV? Well, presently available for purchase, the Mahindra Thar could be aptly described as “inspired” by the Jeep Wrangler, borrowing elements from its design.

The Thar has recently undergone a comprehensive and transformative redesign, essentially starting from scratch, to capture a certain aesthetic that is, once again, strikingly reminiscent of the iconic Jeep Wrangler. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre and petrol and diesel trubo charged engines. The Thar.e stands as a fully electric variant, although specific details regarding its electric powertrain remain somewhat elusive.

The prevailing rumour suggests that the Thar.e intends to employ electric powertrains sourced from Volkswagen. This decision raises eyebrows, considering that China, a neighbouring powerhouse, holds the capability to negotiate a more advantageous and cost-effective arrangement. The perplexity lies in Mahindra potentially opting for less efficient electric powertrains from VW, incurring a premium cost, despite the availability of more superior alternatives from China.