The next-generation Mahindra Thar 4x4 could distance itself from its Jeep-like styling as the brand looks to free itself from trademark complications – and sell the vehicle in Australia.
The next iteration of the Jeep Wrangler's Indian look-alike – the Mahindra Thar – could be styled a lot less like its US rival when it hits showrooms in India and, for the first time, Australia.
The Vision T and related Vision SXT ute are among four concepts revealed by Mahindra to showcase a new vehicle platform known as NU_IQ, designed to underpin multiple vehicles and support petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric power.
The show cars appear to be evolutions of the Vision Thar.e concept revealed in 2023 – a vehicle Mahindra executives have indicated to Australian media is planned for sale locally in its production form.
As a result, the Vision T and its forebear drop key styling cues – including the 'seven-slot' grille – from the current Thar that saw the Indian car giant blocked by the Federal Court from selling the vehicle in Australia due to its similarity to the Jeep Wrangler.
This comes despite Mahindra legally acquiring the right to build the original Willys Jeep in the 1940s, and evolving through successor models into the current-generation Thar – in the same way the Jeep Wrangler was developed from the same starting point.
The Vision T SUV and Vision SXT pick-up retain a number of Thar styling themes, including a six-slot split grille, triangular C-pillar, and hexagonal wheel arch openings, much like those seen on the current five-door Thar Roxx.
To distance the concepts from their Willys heritage, Mahindra has abandoned flat-top front guards, round headlights and seven-slot grille of the current three-door Thar, but kept touches like external door hinges and square door mirrors.
In the case of the Vision T, the styling offers an almost production-ready glimpse of what to expect from the next-generation Thar, following on the 2023 Vision Thar.e concept.
The Vision SXT pick-up concept trades the Vision T’s hardtop rear roof section for an open rear deck, but doesn't extend the overall length of the vehicle.
Beadlock wheels, high-cleanance bumpers with built-in skid plates, and a front brush guard integrated into the grille give it a more rugged look than the Vision T.
Mahindra hasn't yet detailed the powertrain options for the Vision T and Vision SXT.
Given the current-generation Thar has only been in production since 2020 – the five-door Thar Roxx joining the range in 2024 – the concepts could point to electric and hybrid companion models to sell alongside the existing range.
With NU_IQ also being developed for petrol and diesel compatibility, it’s also possible the existing Thar could be phased out as internal combustion (ICE) versions of the new-generation cars ramp up.
As the largest of the NU_IQ platform concepts, the Vision T measures 4320mm long and rides on a 2665mm wheelbase, according to international media, making it 108mm shorter than the Thar Roxx with a 185mm shorter wheelbase.
NU_IQ is claimed to be the world’s first flat-floor platform for petrol- and diesel-fuelled vehicles, packing the engine and transmission hardware into a skateboard-style chassis design similar to that used by electric cars.
Also among the concepts shown is the Vision S, a boxy city SUV which mimics the rugged styling of Mahindra’s larger 4x4 range.
It carries compact-car dimensions designed to take advantage of tax incentives in India for vehicles less than four metres in length.
The Vision X is another small SUV with sleeker 'crossover' styling and a fastback shape that points to a successor to the just-launched Mahindra XUV 3XO SUV.
The new model rollout for the four concepts is set to start in early 2027 with a production version of the Vision S, followed by the Vision T and Vision SXT in late 2027 or early 2028. The production Vision X is due to complete the range in late 2028.
Plans to sell the showroom variants of the Vision S, X and SXT in Australia are yet to be confirmed.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
