INGENIOUS ENGINEERING: The Thar.e boldy strides into the future in a daring distinct design transformation

By Ali Mphaki

Mahindra is on a roll. Another glaring example of its creative abilities was when Mahindra Electric Automobiles Limited (MEAL), a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, recently unveiled the audacious “Vision Thar.e” at its signature Futurescape event in Cape Town.

The Thar.e is more than an electric evolution of the legendary off-roader; it’s a daring, distinct design transformation that continues to embody the spirit of Mahindra’s authentic SUV.

Veejay Nakra, President – Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “Vision Thar.e is a testament to innovation and a pioneering design philosophy that is uniquely Mahindra and distinctively global.

Thar.e caters to the adventurer in all of us, craving exploration without compromise. Aligned with the global movement towards responsible consumption, our focus on sustainable materials resonates with the broader shift towards being planet positive, ensuring that Thar.e is both timeless and timely.”

Pratap Bose, Chief Design Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “Creating Vision Thar.e was about embracing a future that’s bold and innovative. Our design forges a new path, standing as a testament to Mahindra’s commitment to cutting-edge creativity and breakaway thinking. We have maintained the adventurous spirit and off-roading capability that is quintessentially Thar, but we have crafted a unique identity in the world of electric SUVs.

This endeavor goes beyond creating another off-roader; it shapes a vision that represents a progressive step in automotive design, without losing sight of where we came from. Thar.e is our declaration of an exciting and responsible future.”

The Thar.e’s one-of-a-kind modular construction and adaptable components position it as a standout in the electric SUV field.

This robust design philosophy aligns with the SUV’s timeless appeal and confident presence, suited for any terrain.

Design – Key Features: Thar.e’s design forges its own innovative and distinctive trail. Yet it remains an authentic off-road SUV, maintaining the tenacity and exploration spirit of the brand.

Exterior Design: The Thar.e exterior crafts a unique, formidable, and fresh vision. The crisp, geometric surfaces embody the robust ‘explore the impossible’ ethos, while innovative features like near-vertical windows maximize space and create a commanding presence.

Interior Design: The interior blends minimalism with functionality, focusing on the essentials of off-road driving. Elements like a central pivoting screen, robust grab handles, and an uncluttered layout emphasize Thar.e’s practicality for both urban and off-road adventurers.

Sustainable Composition: With fabrics made of 50% recycled PET and a commitment to uncoated recyclable plastics, Thar.e aligns with a philosophy where simplicity serves sustainability.

Its fearless design make it a defining symbol of our time.

MOTORING:

Briefs

UP AND AWAY!

Volkswagen has sent an official statement to Autocar, confirming the upcoming demise of its smallest car: “Production of the up! and the e-up! at the Volkswagen plant in Bratislava will come to an end in the fourth quarter. Therefore individual configuration of the vehicle (on the UK and German websites) will no longer be possible. Customers can still contact their local Volkswagen retailer for information about pre-configured cars remaining in stock.”  The last pint-sized hatchback has left the assembly line at the factory in Bratislava, therefore putting an end to the automotive conglomerate’s New Small Family (NSF) of A-segment cars in Europe.

A replacement for the Fox, the VW up! was in production for no fewer than 12 years, therefore making it one of the oldest cars sold by the German automotive conglomerate. Its demise comes about 10 months after the GTI hot hatch derivative was discontinued. And while direct replacements are not available, the VW Group has promised a new wave of cheap EVs will arrive later this decade.

GM S

Power, precision and practicality has made the GWM P-Series range of pickups a value proposition bar none, and this was substantiated again with the luxuriously specified P-Series 2.0TD LTD 4×4 AT double cab adjudged a class winner in the recently held inaugural South African Bakkie of the Year (SABOTY) competition.

Undergoing extensive evaluation to appraise the specific requirements and critical performance measurements nowadays expected from high-end flagship leisure double cab 4×4 one-ton bakkies with automatic transmissions – such as off-road, advanced 4×4 and on- and offroad towing capabilities – in a repeatable and verifiable manner, the GWM P-Series LTD was chosen as the winner in the 100-120 kW category of the SABOTY competition.

Going up against the Peugeot Landtrek 4Action Africa Edition 4×4 6AT and the Mahindra Pik Up 2.2 S11 Karoo Storm in this category, the jury, consisting of leading specialist motoring journalists and industry experts, comprehensively scored each participating vehicle according to a very detailed and specifically developed questionnaire, the GWM P-Series LTD was crowned as SABOTY class winner at the Nampo Cape exhibition in Bredasdorp, Western Cape Province

e-BIKES BOOM IN GERMANY

Germany’s automakers are facing steep challenges as they convert to battery-powered lineups and confront rising competition from China. But business is booming in another corner of the German transport industry: e-bikes.

Sales of bicycles in Germany reached a record 7.36 billion euros, or $7.8 billion, in 2022, with e-bikes accounting for nearly half of sales, according to the German Bicycle Industry Association. The group is forecasting that this year, for the first time, Germans will buy more e-bikes than conventional models.  Electric bicycles and scooters are the backbone of what’s known as micromobility, seen as crucial to cutting the carbon emissions of transportation and helping to ease pollution and congestion in European cities.

Analysts at EY cite e-bikes as the factor behind predicted annual growth of 4.6 percent in Europe’s bicycle market in the coming five years, as more people adjust their lifestyles to cut emissions. At the same time, the number of privately owned cars could drop by as much as 25 percent, according to a study by PWC, as consumers shift to car sharing and alternative mobility models.  Germany’s auto industry has noticed. Porsche offers a sporty, all-terrain e-bike — with the carmaker’s familiar gold-and-red crest under the handlebars. Audi has a similar model.

ONE MORE THING…..

Ice cream vans in New York could be banned from using fossil fuels to chill their wares under a new law. Lincoln Restler, a Democratic politician, is pushing local legislation that would give hundreds of vans three years to switch to electric generators or be taken off the street. The plan has angered Republicans, who called it a “killjoy” rule backed by “hipsters” .

Mr Restler and the other sponsors of the law say petrol and diesel generators create noise pollution in the city, as well as contribute to poor air quality and carbon emissions. “Our office gets hundreds of calls about ice cream truck noise, and while they’re famous for their music, it’s the gas-powered generators that most concern residents,” he said in a statement.