Mahindra & Mahindra has announced the introduction of nine new SUVs in India, ranging from the new Scorpio to a new Coupe SUV and two electrified cars. The proposal also includes a 5-door version of the second-generation Thar, which is expected to arrive on the market next year. It will appeal to shoppers looking for a roomy, practical family SUV with tough aesthetics and off-roading skills. The 5-door Mahindra Thar will have a larger wheelbase than the 2-door variant.
The platform, as well as the majority of its design components, will be carried over from its smaller sister. The 2.2L mHawk diesel and 2.0L mStallion petrol engines are expected to be used in the 5-door Mahindra Thar. These powertrains, on the other hand, might be tweaked to provide more power. The 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque convertor automatic transmissions from the 2-door model will also be carried over.
Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest passenger car maker, is also preparing to introduce a 5-door version of the Jimny off-road SUV. The 5-door Maruti Jimny will be 300mm longer and have a 300mm larger wheelbase than its smaller sister, based on the global-spec Sierra. The extended-wheelbase version of the SUV will be 3850mm long, 1645mm wide, and 1730mm tall. The larger Jimny will be 100kg heavier than the 3-door Sierra. The latter will have a 1190kg kerb weight.
While no details on the engine have been released, the India-spec vehicle is expected to be powered by a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine with 101bhp and 130Nm of torque.
The Maruti Jimny 5-door will be designed in the brand’s global design language and will share design elements with the forthcoming 3-door variant. A multi-function steering wheel, leatherette seats, a redesigned instrument dashboard, a touchscreen infotainment system with the latest smartphone connections, front and rear armrest, and other features are anticipated to be included in the interior.