The Mahindra Thar with its old-school styling and hardware makes for an excellent canvas for custom builders to exercise their art. A significant number of Mahindra Thar owners chose to personalize their steeds to stand out of the crowd as well as enhance their functionality. We had come across a fair share of customized Thars but this one is certainly our favorite.
Executed by Ludhiana-based Sikand Car, the custom Mahindra Thar features extensive aesthetic and mechanical modifications. The mellow seven-slat radiator grille makes way for an angry-looking unit which houses LED headlamps (with integrated DRLs).
Owner of the black vehicle opted to replace the Mahindra logo with that of a Jeep but we think the original logo would also have felt right at home on the new front fascia. A new bumper, winch, large off-road tyres (the track seems to have been widen a bit) add to the Thar’s rugged appeal.
It’s lighting elements galore at the front and most of them are synchronized with turn indicators. The tarpaulin roof has been replaced by a hard plastic element which features a generously proportioned sun-roof. The mildly tapering rear fascia and the classy LED taillights enhance the lifestyle vehicle’s character.
The Thar’s utilitarian cabin has been completely transformed into a plush lounge by means of quilted leather upholstery which is extended to the roof-liner as well. The faux wooden finish on the steering wheel, door handles and center console are too flashy for our tastes but we are not the ones paying for it. If you have the budget, Sikand car can equip your off-roader with multiple infotainment screens, a new audio system, and so on.
What impressed us the most is the quality of execution both inside and outside. The black vehicle took about 25 days to complete and approximately INR 5 lakhs (the roof alone costs around INR 83,000). The modified Mahindra Thar certainly has a posher appeal than the stock vehicle.
Mahindra is currently working on the all-new Thar which is due for launch sometime before the BS-VI emission regulation deadline of April 1, 2020. The next iteration is noticeably wider and has vastly improved interior.
