Mahindra unveils Thar Roxx-based ATV for Indian Army — Everything you need to know
- 1Mahindra has unveiled a defence-spec ATV based on the Thar Roxx platform
- 2Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, shared the vehicle on social media
- 3ATV will be presented to the Indian Army for trials before any orders are placed
When Anand Mahindra shared images of a modified SUV online, it caught a lot of attention. This was not a regular version. It is a rugged, military-style vehicle based on the Mahindra Thar Roxx.
Mahindra & Mahindra has confirmed that this all-terrain vehicle is built for India’s security forces. It will be presented to the Indian Army for trials. If approved, Mahindra could start production based on their requirements. This is an important step for both Mahindra and India’s defence manufacturing efforts.
Mahindra Thar Roxx military ATV exterior & interior
At its core, this vehicle is still based on the Mahindra Thar Roxx, but it has been heavily modified for military use. The round LED headlamps and six-slot grille remain, while most other parts have been redesigned. The standard doors are replaced with tubular half-doors, and the regular roof is removed for a roll cage setup. This improves visibility, reduces weight, and makes entry and exit quicker. The roll cage can also support a 360-degree turret mount for a 7.62 mm machine gun.
The front bumper is much stronger and gets a winch for recovery. There are extra reinforcements around the windscreen, mounts for additional lights, and even a farm jack on the bonnet for field repairs.
For off-road use, it gets 18-inch all-terrain tyres, higher ground clearance, rock sliders, and underbody protection. At the rear, there is a jerrycan holder, dual spare wheel setup, storage panels for gear, and reinforced brackets that make it suitable for air-drop operations. The vehicle also gets camouflage paint. Inside, official details are limited for now, but the seats seen in images use army-green upholstery. The dashboard layout is expected to be similar to the standard Thar Roxx.
Mahindra Thar Roxx military ATV engine specs
Under the bonnet, the military-spec Mahindra Thar Roxx uses the same 2.2-litre diesel engine as the standard model. It makes 172PS and 400Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox and a 4x4 system.
The suspension setup is also based on the regular Thar Roxx, with double-wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link rear setup. Reports suggest it can also get independent rear springs for better performance on rough terrain.
Could a civilian version ever happen?
The military-spec Mahindra Thar Roxx looks rugged enough to attract buyers even outside defence use. A road-legal version with removable doors, a soft roof, all-terrain tyres, recovery hooks, snorkel, and easy-to-clean interiors could work well as a more hardcore version of the Thar Roxx. It would be similar in idea to the Jeep Wrangler, but designed more for Indian conditions.
Mahindra & Mahindra already has the platform and engine ready. The interest from buyers also seems strong. Whether the company actually brings such a version to market is something that remains to be seen.
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