Mahindra will also donate the matching amount of the winning bid along with the bidding amount to the charity of the customer’s choice. The donation will be made to any of the three charities: Naandi Foundation, Swades Foundation or PM CARES fund.
The winning bidder will be given a choice to choose from the available three variants, four engine transmission combinations along with five exterior options. That said, in order to make the SUV special for the bidder, Mahindra will also offer some special elements with the auctioned Thar.
On the outside, the Thar will get a ‘Thar #1’ badging along with initials of the owner. On the inside, the seat covers and VIN plate on the dashboard will get a serial number’1’ written on them. Other than these, the auctioned Thar will be identical to the standard SUV.
The Thar will be available in three variants: AX AC, AX OPT and LX. Engines on offer include a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 150PS and 300Nm (320Nm with automatic transmission) and a 2.2-litre diesel engine making 130PS and 300Nm. Both the engines will be offered with a 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
Mahindra will launch the Thar on 2 October 2020. Prices are expected to range from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 14 lakh. It will take on the likes of the Force Gurkha and other compact SUVs like the Kia Seltos, Renault Duster and the Hyundai Creta.