Posted on May 12, 2021 06:00:00 PM 224769 Views Follow Us Autocar India News Desk Share-

Author: Autocar India News Desk

Our 2021 car of the year is your perfect lifestyle car.

Top-down driving is the ultimate fantasy of car enthusiasts, and Mahindra Thar allows you to realize your dreams without boundaries. With its inherent off-road ability, you can feel the poster-like wonderful moments up close effortlessly, and it can indeed paint a beautiful picture on the beaches and waves of Goa. Read on to find out what makes our 2021 car the ultimate choice for lifestyle travel. Show Stopper

From a desirable idol to a popular sensation, the new Mahindra Thar has completely changed the Indian lifestyle car segment and deservedly won Autocar India's coveted 2021 car award.

Mahindra Racing won the coveted 2021 car award with the new Thar.

The stage is set up to celebrate the party, and everyone's eyes are on the gleaming trophy in the center of the stage. The year that has gone through unprecedented challenges has become even more special, and the adaptation, improvisation and overcoming of challenges in the Indian automotive industry have fought back this year vigorously. Fighting for glory may be harder than ever, but of course, there can only be one winner in the end. A car represents one million dreams. For one car, it will be less than other cars. Winning the Most Valuable Car Award in India is not an easy task, but Mahindra Thar cars can climb hills effortlessly and are as eye-catching as parked in a city meeting place. It also easily meets this challenge. It's fun, it's capable, and it's "Made in India, proud of it". Therefore, it is no wonder that our car of the year is Thar! Dr. Pawan Goenka, MD, Mahindra & Mahindra addressed the audience at the ceremony. Views of the jurors

What is the car of the year? This is an unconventional car, it has completely changed the existing market segment and created a brand new market segment. This is exactly what Tal did. Not only does it delight existing customers, but it also discovers new customers who have never dreamed of buying a hardcore 4x4 before. Thar single-handedly democratized the lifestyle areas, which until now have the authority of a few expensive niche cars.

The performance of Thar is something I didn't expect from 4x4. The smooth and silky impact of the 2.0-liter gasoline engine really surprised me. I like the power of all cars and Thar did not disappoint. Diesel is also very smooth, and the way the entire package is put together makes Thar an eye-catching choice. In fact, after driving it to the jury, I immediately booked a Thar myself!

Mahindra Thar is the car that moves the goal post the farthest. Obviously, it does a better job off-roading. It is equipped with an electronic off-road driving assistance system, with greater torque and traction, if you want to not be affected by the weather, now it is equipped with a hardtop.

But this is only half of it. The new Thar is also an SUV that you can use every day. The comfort, luggage space and ride quality of the rear seats have all been affected. It has only two doors. But you will get smooth autopilot, the steering is easy to turn, you can easily park, you will get Apple CarPlay, and Thar even has an excellent safety level. Want more than just another SUV? Super cool Tal.

In order to win the highest honor, it must be a car that makes me sit up and immediately attract attention. Thar did this through its pure progress from the status quo to the status quo. The powerful engine, the way it destroys on harsh roads, the ease of conquering the toughest terrain, and the more modern and practical interior are all factors. However, the absolute invincibility behind the steering wheel and the way it makes people smile while driving are the reasons why I brought it home. It makes the lifestyle car segment more attractive to the masses. A weekend car that can handle daily work.

Former Indian racing/rally champion

You wouldn't expect the all-in-one 4x4 to be so versatile, but it does. It is more user-friendly than I thought, and the addition of automatic transmission greatly expands the appeal of this SUV. Thar is no longer as rough 4x4 as it used to be. In fact, the sturdy internals and well-crafted dashboard highlight a new level of quality that I didn't expect at all. It also drove very well. What we said in the road test

The new Thar is a very popular SUV. If the nail-hard structure and goat-like ability to deal with hostile terrain don't shock you, then its dumb image and street credibility will surely be. With a smooth and powerful engine, additional improvements, automatic transmission and the convenience of light control, the new Thar is more user-friendly.

Although it is not without flaws. Getting in and out, especially the rear seats, is not easy. The luggage compartment is small and lacks several functions, such as LED headlights, rear-view camera, rear wiper/washer, etc., many of which have become the standard for this price point. What may also discourage buyers is its rugged road quality, which is not as smooth or relaxed as an SUV with a "car-like" monocoque structure. But if you can solve its shortcomings, this is an SUV, it exudes personality, can take you to a place where no other car at this price can do it. What is truly remarkable is that the legendary off-road capability of Thar no longer comes at the expense of practicality, convenience and comfort.

Frankly speaking, nothing is more appropriate than money.

Engine: 2184cc, turbo diesel/1997cc, turbo gasoline

0-100kph: 13.3s (diesel MT), 13.5s (diesel AT), 10.2s (gasoline AT)

80-0kph: 26.38m, 2.31sThe Thar Tribe

In less than a year, thousands of people have turned their Thar dreams into reality. Here are some people who actually wear Thar ownership on their sleeves.

'The Priestess with the Beastest' is the title given to me and my Thar by my friends and me.

As far as I can remember, Tal is a dream. It may be because I have seen my father have various types of off-road vehicles since I was young, such as Mahindra Classic, MM540 and so on. Every time I saw Thar on the road, I would stand up and stare at my gleaming eyes, and then "sigh..." for a long time, and then I walked away because I didn't have the ability to get one for myself. Since then, and to this day, I am grateful that this dream has now become a reality, and I cannot explain the excitement of having a brand new Mahindra Thar. On October 2nd, I waited outside the exhibition hall until the press conference was over, waiting for the price to be announced, and then went directly into the exhibition hall and booked this dream. I'm sure that if Dad is here, he will be equally excited.

I like my new Thar very much. It definitely fits my personal style. It can slide on the road, avoid potholes, speed bumps and uphills. The people behind the steering wheel have incredible adrenaline soaring, while the people behind are enjoying a drive, with plenty of luggage space to take the house. My journey to the cloud now has a new reliable horse by my side, my incredible and always reliable Thar!

Some people say wait, some say it’s good, but I don’t want to be late. Instinctively, I finally booked her and got her on my birthday. Of course, she was the first person I talked about in video blogs and posts, and the first person I was driven to turn around. I said she was a good thing I encountered during the world crisis. After holding my brand new Thar steering wheel, I realized that something was missing in my life. Baar Baar Dekho, Yeh Thar Thar dekho, Ke dekhne ki cheez hai Humari Dilruba, Thar lee ho... The romance continues, guess what will happen next, I am building an ideal stable for her-individual cross country road. Talk town

"Made in India, proud of" off-road vehicles are also popular in India. Take a look!

The appeal of Thar is that it is not an ordinary or cookie-cutter SUV. This Thar has a unique appearance, power and comfort to roam anywhere.

For me, the new Thar is a perfect combination of fashion, comfort, strength and most importantly attitude! It combines roughness and smoothness with the same elegance and courage. Makes me feel like a tiger on the road!

I would like to congratulate Mahindra Motorsport for providing an excellent off-road vehicle to India. I’m proud that Thar is a vehicle made in India and I am sure of its capabilities

With the wind blowing through your hair and the clear sky on the ceiling, Thar allows you to enjoy an unparalleled driving holiday.

Who needs drones when you have Mahindra Thar to provide you with breathtaking aerial views?

Reaching in a fashionable way is the desire of many of us. It is natural to suggest that some kind of car can make this wish come true, but what about the part before you arrive? With the new Mahindra Thar, this question can be answered without effort. You have arrived even before starting your journey, because owning Thar is a statement like no other. Thar is a tribute to the active lifestyle you have consciously cultivated. It is an ode to your disregard of tradition and obedience.

With the soft top rolled back and neatly tucked in-as always-the transformation of Thar from an omnipotent off-road vehicle to a planetarium with 18-inch wheels is nothing short of spectacular. From top to bottom, Thar immediately combines you with various elements, allowing you to absorb the atmosphere of your surroundings, whether it is a sparkling seaside town or a small sleepy mountainside village, while also creating a cool new hairstyle for you. Everyone, from the oncoming surfer to the tattoo artist who permanently imprints ink on another determined forearm, will be dumbfounded when you drive by. Although you may cause some people to spill their drinks or even trip over themselves, you will definitely let the children on the boat gasp shortly, and everyone will find their first life goal in an instant. It is also durable. The best way to get a tan, don't you agree?

Of course, you have seen all this before. Your choice will always have that effect on the world around you. No one climbs the terrible mountain "just for fun", and no one jumps on the sporty speedboat, just for a while-certainly not like you. The roar of powerful outboard engines in the rough sea drowns the white noise of daily activities in the city, but in the crowd of Taal standing by the dock, you will only stay at sea for a short time and burst. Compared with any other place, you are definitely more willing to sit on its commanding heights. Fast, always cool and cause a sensation-guess which one we are talking about!

With its inherent ability to adapt to your constantly active daily activities, there will never be a dull moment behind the wheel of Thar. Its powerful and refined 150PS gasoline engine makes your journey of conquest a breeze, whether it is hiking on steep seaside cliffs or traversing desolate mountain passes. Despite its ubiquitous nature, it still feels at home when you spend a carnival night with friends. The car-like demeanor made Thar walk through the narrow alleys with ease.

Regarding the complexity of Thar, there are some things worth mentioning, whether it is the elegant black inside, or even the details, such as its deliberately wrapped infotainment touch screen, charming analog dial or its top panel, cleverly Accommodates a group of booming speakers. It is urban fashion, but ready to be wild, a bit like a 007 car. The all-black interior is sturdy and chic!

Against the vibrant background of Goa, Tal painted a very cool picture. It brings the vivid Latin Quarter to life, and as you drive its majestic nose through its characteristic narrow alleys, a group of tourists point their cameras in your direction. Of course, you enjoy this attention, and even indulge these tourists when you go out to capture your own memories briefly. When you wander aimlessly and watch one panoramic view after another from behind the flat and wide windshield, Thar will effortlessly absorb the energy of susegad Goa and drive on the breezy tree-lined road. It is driving in the purest sense. You can be anywhere you like, and you can get there quickly, but every moment behind its wheels is a sensory enjoyment, you just want to drive Thar longer. Whether it is a lone explorer or a dreamlike friend from all over the world looking for an eternal and unforgettable trip, the new Thar can meet everyone's needs. It will do whatever it wants-whatever it wants-but most importantly, it will take you there, fashion. You may never forget how well it combines the goodness of the old school with the gorgeousness of the new age, but when there is always a place to explore, who has time to think about it? Go, there is a Tal there, waiting to make your dream come true. And to create cool new hairstyles for you. Thar lights up a brisk midnight drive! Talk to Veejay Ram Nakra

The CEO of Mahindra Automotive told us about Tarnian-its appeal, success and brand experience.

What does it mean to you to win the Car of the Year Award?

The last time we won the Autocar Car of the Year Award was Scorpio in 2003. So, the return after 18 years is definitely a proud moment for all of us. I think, as you said, it is really worth it. What makes us most proud is that we won it with the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" product, which is a local iconic brand.

Regarding the theme of "Atmanirbhar", how important is this as an Indian brand, especially considering that this award is not a category, but the best of the year?

Our greatest pride is that it is a testimony to the Indian ecosystem. Everything is said and done, because everything is basically done in this country-whether it is our suppliers, the entire MRV engineering center, our Kandivali-based The design center is also the entire ecosystem of our suppliers. The second reason it is important to us is because it is a tribute and testimony to Mahindra's 75-year heritage. Third, we are an SUV company. What better example is there?

The brand is better than Thar, it embodies what a real SUV is. That's why we gave it this slogan-Exploration is impossible-because you can take it anywhere. We provide hard top, soft top and convertible roof for Thar, it has all the power system you need, and attracted a new group of buyers. Therefore, if you combine all of these, this is our greatest pride-this award was won by an Indian brand with an Indian ecosystem in its 75th year, which reflects its SUV DNA and is a greater India Consumer groups today.

Did you anticipate your reaction to Tal? Who is your buying audience?

I think Thar's response made us very happy-by March, our bookings had exceeded 50,000! When it comes to audiences, in addition to enthusiasts who buy Thar, 45% of buyers are millennials. More than 10% of buyers are women, 40% of the demand comes from big cities, and 45% of our booking list comes from automatic vehicles. This shows that not only classic lovers, but also "lifestylers" come to buy Thar. We have seen many young people feel that “it’s my age, it’s time to buy such a car and really enjoy it”, because it is as exquisite as a car and has a presence that cannot be missed. It is exquisite in design and driving performance. And features.

When Thar was launched, people just wanted to get rid of something in some way after being locked. Do you think the pandemic helps in a strange way or do you think this reaction is inevitable?

I think that considering what the Thar brand offers and what it is, its performance will not be any different. We all know that the line between SUV and car is becoming blurred; there are many people who want to buy an SUV. But frankly, many buyers know that they are buying an SUV. Millennials are at the right stage because they don't necessarily need MPV or something suitable for the extended family. It allows them to say, "This is my time, this is my life, let me enjoy it." Even before the pandemic, we have seen that road travel has become a reality in India in the past 2-3 years. So important. Therefore, when you have a product that allows people to fulfill their wishes, whether popular or not, the brand will function in its own way.

Do you think that the Taal has triggered a revolution in the lifestyle field to some extent?

Of course, I think the whole society is moving towards an experiential life. I think all of us are obsessed with daily life, and everyone longs for "my time". The reality is that with more and more economic growth and development, it is difficult to define holidays and working days. Therefore, people want short breaks, but more frequent breaks to cheer themselves up again. People want to walk into nature, go hiking, and do things they have never done before, and Tal is what meets these needs.

Do you see what the car of the year you won last time (Scorpio, 2003) has in common with Thar?

I think the answer is obvious, but it means a lot to us. In fact, when we created Scorpio in 2002, it created a new category. This is a product not to be missed. It provides an excellent packaging that sets itself apart from other products on the market. Nearly 18 years later, Thar is exactly the same-an unmissable product in its own category, so it is an important learning for us in terms of the reasons for the success of Scorpio. Therefore, whether you are looking at Scorpio, XUV500, Thar... this is what you will see in common-stunning appearance and design, exquisite packaging and exquisite products, providing consumers with affordable prices.

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