There is no disputing that the Mahindra Thar has significantly increased accessibility to real off-roading because, unlike the model from the previous generation, it also blends conveniences for daily usability. Mahindra has been working on a five-door version of the Thar because the three-door design would keep some customers away from the SUV. This will boost the appeal of the Thar’s off-roading reputation and promise.
It’s interesting to note that Maruti Suzuki is preparing to unveil a five-door Jimny model that was specifically created for India. The new Gurkha from Force Motors will also be available in a five-door model that has been upgraded with some modern amenities. These cars offer superb all-around capability while also appealing to a much broader audience, particularly larger families.
All of these upcoming SUVs will be aimed at the same demographic – lifestyle off-road aficionados – and will have significant off-road hardware and ladder frame underpinnings, but they will still be very distinct from one another. We look at what makes each of these SUVs unique.
Gurkha vs. Thar vs. The Five-Door Jimny: The Engine
The three SUVs’ motor configurations will also differ greatly from one another. The Jimny, a petrol-only SUV, will be powered by the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, normally aspirated K15C engine that presently powers a number of Maruti Suzuki vehicles in India. The mild hybrid technology, which is already available on all versions propelled by this engine, will be exclusive to the Jimny.
The three-door Gurkha’s 2.6-liter diesel engine will continue to power the five-door Gurkha, which will remain a diesel-only SUV throughout this time. To compensate for the increased bulk and weight, it might gain more horsepower than the present 91hp.
In contrast, the five-door Thar will offer both gasoline and diesel motor choices. The 2.2-liter Hawk diesel and 2.0-liter Stallion gas engines from the three-door variant will be retained. Although the precise power and torque figures haven’t been disclosed, they are likely to be similar to those of the Scorpio N.
The five-door Thar, in comparison, will have both gasoline and diesel engine options. will only be available with a manual transmission, whereas the five-door variants of the Jimny and Thar will be available with both manual and automatic gearboxes.
Gurkha, Thar, and The Five-Door Jimny: Dimensions
Although the Jimny, Thar, and Gurkha will all have five doors, they will all be straight competitors and have very distinct sizes. The five-door Jimny will have the lowest footprint, followed by the five-door Gurkha.
All three SUVs will be built on the present three-door chassis. The 3,550 mm long and 2,250 mm wide Jimny features three doors. The Jimny 5 door’s total length will rise to 3,850mm thanks to a 300mm increase in wheelbase, as previously reported. It will still be shorter than 4 metres in length than the other two SUVs, making it the sole SUV in this group.
While the three-door Gurkha measures 4,116mm in length and has a 2,400mm wheelbase, the five-door Gurkha is predicted to have a 400mm boost in wheelbase. Given that its total length will be significantly longer than 4.5 meters, it will probably have the largest wheelbase of the group.
The Scorpio N, which is constructed on an extended wheelbase version of the ladder frame chassis used for the three-door Thar, will share its substructure with the five-door Thar, which is predicted to have a wheelbase of 2,750mm. As a result, the five-door Thar will fit nicely between the Gurkha and the Jimny.
Gurkha vs. Thar vs. The Five-Door Jimny: The Sitting Arrangement
All four four-seater models of the Thar, the three-door versions of the Thar and Gurkha, and the Jimny sold overseas are currently offered. The Thar and Jimny, on the other hand, will receive bench seats for the second row in their five-door variations to turn them into five-seater SUVs. Mahindra might even provide a bench-style third set of chairs for the Thar, just like the Scorpio N does.
On the other hand, there will be a range of accommodations available for the five-door Gurkha. On one occasion, it was seen on a test with captain chairs for the second and third rows, and on another, it was seen with double side-facing jump seats. There will also be a bench seat for the third row, indicating that at least 6-, 7-, and 9-seat configurations will be possible.
The Similarities Between The Gurkha, Thar, and The Five-Door Jimny
All three of the upcoming SUVs will still be hard-core off-roaders with sturdy ladder-frame foundations at their heart. These SUVs will stand out from the multitude of front-wheel drive, monocoque SUVs presently on the market thanks to their four-wheel drive system, durable suspension setup, locking differentials, and low range transfer case. The off-road ability of these SUVs may be somewhat compromised in the five-door models (due to decreased breakover angles and added weight), but their dual personalities should more than make up for it.
All three SUVs already have cult followings in our nation, and now that more things are working in their advantage for the usefulness of their five-door variants, Off-excitement roading’s is set to increase significantly.
Which of these forthcoming extreme off-road vehicles are you most anticipating? Tell us in the comments section below.