Disputes between the Indian Mahindra and the American Jeep over the design of the Roxor model, which Mahindra sells in the USA, were closely watched and the court ultimately ruled against the Indians, who, according to Automotive News, banned the import and sale of the car in the United States. This is despite the fact that Roxor was not homologated for road traffic in the USA and was therefore only a leisure vehicle for off-road use.
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Mahindra has been making cars that are more than reminiscent of older Jeeps for many years, so when the Roxor dispute erupted, it looked as if the FCA, resp. today Stellantis, to which Jeep falls, fell asleep.
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But Mahindra has had a proper license to manufacture the Jeep CJ since 1947. The problem arose when she decided to sell the vehicles made in the United States.
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And it is on the basis of this license – at least judging by what the carmaker writes in the press release – a new generation of Mahindra Thar has now been introduced, which looks like a hybrid of Jeep Wrangler JK and JL, the last two generations of this iconic offroad.
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Even in its front mask, you can easily find seven vertical holes, the hallmark of all current jeeps.
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Like the Wrangler, the Thar has the option of a solid or canvas roof and has a frame above the seats in which the speakers have found a place. A two-door version has been introduced so far; it is not known if a four-door will follow.
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Thar is no sharpener, it offers an honest frame construction and assignable all-wheel drive with reduction gearbox and rear differential lock. Through a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, it is powered by either a petrol supercharged two-liter with 150 hp and 320 Nm, or a 2.2-liter turbodiesel with 130 hp and the same torque.
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How the American carmaker Jeep will react to this Indian news will be surprised for the time being; Mahindra’s press release does not talk about plans to sell it in the USA.
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Nevertheless, according to the available information, the mentioned license applies to the Jeep CJ, which was produced in different generations in 1944-1986, not to the modern Wranglers JK and JL.
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