With the convertible version of the Thar being officially discontinued quietly recently by Mahindra, one option remains for the customers for a hard-top. This is a large-scale personality change for the Thar, especially for the off-roaders who used to cherish the drive with a breeze.
Shade of History: The Options for Roofs Available Since Launch
When the second-gen Mahindra Thar was introduced in October 2020, it came in three types: fixed hard-top, removable soft-top, and convertible top. The soft-top version was discontinued in 2021, and now the convertible-top follows suit.
The convertible-top was also favored by thrill seekers who loved switching between a covered and an open-top setup. With its annulment, therein dies-and in the process, a huge selling point of the Thar itself-so Mahindra now finds itself having to streamline the Thar offer into one-elevated hard-top version.
Why the Change
There has been no press announcement by Mahindra regarding the cancellation of the convertible model. Insider sources put forth that an influx of demand for the freshly released Thar Roxx could have been one major reason. The Thar Roxx is offered only as a hard-top vehicle and is positioned as a lifestyle-oriented version of the SUV.
With the convertible-top model getting phased out, it may be a strategy by Mahindra to streamline its production lines in order to meet demand for Roxx, which is very high, considering the limited production capacity.
What This Means for Buyers
This release closes the curtain on an era for Thar fans who loved the open-top driving experience. All new buyers in the future will be able to purchase only the hard-top Thar, which retains its rugged appearance, off-road availability, and heavy-road presence.
Although it may be sad for some, the hard top remains a sensible and safer option, especially for city drivers and high-mileage drivers.
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