KATHMANDU: Mahindra’s upcoming Thar electric has been spotted testing on public roads for the first time. The heavily camouflaged five-door SUV carries several design elements inspired by the Vision T concept unveiled in August 2025.
The test vehicle gets a wide grille with vertically arranged elements and squared-off headlamps. It also features a flat bonnet, upright windscreen and flared wheel arches. The overall design retains the boxy and rugged look of the Thar.e and Vision T concepts.
The side profile confirms a five-door layout with a flat roof and upright pillars. The SUV also gets flat side steps and large wheels, which appear to be around 19 or 20 inches. The tires look more road-focused than the off-road tires seen on the concepts.
At the rear, the prototype gets an upright tailgate and a large rear window. Unlike the Thar.e and Vision T concepts, it does not have an externally mounted spare wheel. A production version could get a tailgate-mounted spare wheel similar to the Thar Roxx. The rear lights appear to be temporary testing units.
The spy images by Rushlane also suggest that the electric SUV could use independent rear suspension. This would be a major change from the rear axle setup used in the existing Thar range.
Inside, the test vehicle can be seen with a digital instrument display and large grab handles near the A-pillars. The dashboard is largely covered, but the Vision T concept features a portrait-oriented central touchscreen and a separate digital instrument display.
The upcoming Thar electric could also share its infotainment system with the recently unveiled Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler. The Lifestyler uses a large portrait-oriented touchscreen, although the exact system for the Thar electric has not been confirmed.
Mahindra first showcased the Thar.e concept in 2023 on its INGLO-P1 platform. The Vision T concept followed in 2025, further developing the design direction of the electric Thar.
Mahindra’s NU_IQ-based products are scheduled to start arriving from 2027. However, the company has not announced a launch date for the electric Thar. With road testing now underway, the SUV could arrive in 2028 or later.
The electric Thar will enter an emerging lifestyle EV segment in India. Models based on the Jetour T2 and Chery iCAR V23 are also being prepared for the Indian market, potentially giving buyers more electric and electrified alternatives in the rugged SUV segment.
