Mahindra Thar, is it not the Jeep Wrangler 'low cost', even though it looks like it

In 1947, Mahindra managed to obtain the licence to assemble in India the Jeep Willys, the father of all Jeep and, by extension, of off-roaders as we understand them. This licence led Mahindra to build its own Roxor, from which the Mahindra Thar derives.

The accusations of Jeep, both before and after its integration into the Italian-American group FCA, against Mahindra for plagiarism in the Indian models of the Americans, have reached limits such as that of the Mahindra Thar, a off-roader that could well be one of the now-common Chinese copies of Western vehicles but which, in this case, the Indian manufacturer defends its right to assemble just as it is.

Be that as it may, this vehicle looks like a low-cost copy of the Jeep Wrangler, above all of the 2011 version in its 3-door body, since in fact the Thar is only manufactured in this configuration, with a removable hard top or canvas roof, and encloses a cabin capable of seating up to 6, in its optional 2+4 configuration.

They are so similar, and not only in appearance, that the Mahindra Thar sets dimensions of 3,760 millimetres in length, 1,904 in height and 1,604 in width, which means it is shorter and taller. As for its off-road figures, it has a wading depth of 650 mm thanks to a ground clearance of 226, and with these specifications its approach angle is 41.8 degrees, its departure angle 36.8 and its breakover angle 27º.

Regarding the mechanics, the Mahindra Thar has a petrol engine, the 2.0-litre turbo with 150 CV and 320 Nm of torque, and a diesel 2.2 unit with 130 CV and 230 Nm. In both cases they are paired either with a manual gearbox or with a CVT automatic gearbox, always with 6 ratios.

In addition, this off-roader boasts a brand-new technology package that includes ABS + EBD, dual airbags, ESP with rollover protection, hill-start and hill-descent assist… along with independent front suspension, multi-link rear suspension, the corresponding transfer case and a mechanical locking differential for the rear axle.

https://youtu.be/fjyKx18S5SU

And as for the interior, the Mahindra Thar, apart from the steering wheel, dashboard layout is very reminiscent of the Jeep Wrangler 2011.

So many coincidences invite us to think that, once again, FCA’s legal department is preparing its arguments against the new Mahindra Thar, once this car that will be officially presented on 2 October, when we will learn the price, at least for the Indian market.

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