New Mahindra Thar CRDe Off-Road review

Bijoy greeted me and gave me a quick hug as I walked into the Academy. For someone who started his career as a financial journalist, I have always looked up to people like Bijoy for those friendly tips to assure me that I too am good in my job! “The first batch of journalists has been burning out the clutches, so please do not use the clutch and brake when going up and down the terrain. The new Thar takes care of itself. Punnoose, you are a good driver and I know you will drive well,” he told me as I buckled myself up in my seat.

That tip was good enough, more so when I was joined by another friend of mine from the fraternity Hani Musthafa, a young and spiffy journalist based in Kerala. An avid off-roader, Hani too gave me a few tips on how to handle the craters and ditches. All my life I had done off-roading on the dunes of Rajasthan and Dubai, but had never got an opportunity on a horribly slushy and uneven terrain.

The new Thar CRDe is a lot more comfortable and a much better off-road beast. I was impressed by the way it climbed out of deep craters and balanced itself so well even on some of the most inhospitable terrains. And all along I barely used the clutches and brakes, with my 4X4 low ratio gears engaged. And when it came to water filled ditches, the Thar knew its swimming too well. It could put a Michael Phelps to shame!

The Mahindra Off-Road Academy spread among several hills is an off-roader’s paradise where you can actually push your 4x4 to the limits. It was started in March 2013 and here the company conducts weekend courses for enthusiasts, be it young or old. All you have got to be is 18 years and above with a heart that ticks with low levels of cholesterol and high levels of enthusiasm.

I was told that the drive is also conducted at night when it is pitch dark and the hills come alive with lights of the Thar. 

Though the Thar comes in two variants---one powered by a 2498cc CRDe engine and the other a 2523cc DI engine (both diesel), it is only the former that has got an upgrade. No changes have been made to the DI engine variant. 

Enhanced exteriors include new front and rear bumpers, new muscular wheel arches, new clear lens headlamps, redesigned side footsteps and canopy.

It’s the interiors that now have a premium touch and feel to it. There is a new dual tone dashboard, new steering wheel and door trims with arm rests, redesigned AC vents, new floor console with cup holders, new windshield demister, new gear knob, 12V charging point, provision for 2DIN music system and lockable glove box.

The features that continue to remain in the new Thar are the 44 degree approach angle and 27 degree departure angle, 4WD with high and low ratios, a 2500 cc CRDe engine and a ground clearance of 200mm.

The Thar which was introduced in December 2010 has come a long way. Now with these new features added on, it’s a new off-roader completely. Among the regular production vehicles available with different car manufacturers today in the country, the Thar continues to be a leader in the off-road category. With its trendy looks and masculine features, it’s now got even better with its technical enhancements. With the chances of regular Indian roads getting to be of world class standards, as remote as India and Pakistan coming together as one nation, it’s best that you buy a Thar for your day to day drives too. The new Mahindra Thar CRDe is definitely the new seduction formula from the company. Can’t you hear the boys singing, “We live young, we live free! We are the living! We are the living! ....”?