Mahindra appears to be working on a mechanical update for the five-door Thar Roxx, with the latest test mule showing revised alloy wheels and the more sophisticated DaVinci damping system
The Mahindra Thar Roxx could soon get an upgrade that goes beyond a fresh set of alloys. A new test mule has been spotted with wheels resembling those of the recently launched Thar OG, while underbody images offer a closer look at the DaVinci suspension system. Mahindra has not officially announced the update, but the changes suggest that the company is looking to improve the Roxx’s ride and handling.
The latest test vehicle retains the familiar five-door silhouette, circular headlamps, signature grille and muscular wheel arches. The most obvious change is the alloy wheel design, which appears similar to that of the Thar OG. The wheel change is relatively minor, but the suspension upgrade could make a bigger difference to the way the SUV drives. The Thar Roxx is positioned as the more practical member of the Thar family, with its additional doors and rear-seat space making it better suited to family use. Improving ride comfort without compromising its off-road ability would fit that brief.
The Thar Roxx currently uses frequency-dependent damping (FDD), along with a penta-link rear suspension. The DaVinci system, introduced on the new Thar OG and also used on the XUV7XO, builds on the damping technology with a different internal valve and shim-stack arrangement. Conventional FDD adjusts damping according to the frequency of road inputs.
DaVinci’s revised internal design allows for a non-linear damping response, giving the suspension greater flexibility when dealing with different road conditions. In practical terms, this could help the Thar Roxx absorb smaller bumps while providing better body control over larger undulations and during cornering. The actual improvement will depend on how Mahindra tunes the system for the heavier, five-door SUV.
There is no indication of mechanical changes to the engine lineup. The Thar Roxx is currently available with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel engine, paired with manual or torque-converter automatic transmissions depending on the variant. Four-wheel drive remains exclusive to diesel versions.
Equipment such as the panoramic sunroof, dual 10.25-inch displays, ventilated front seats, Harman Kardon audio system and Level 2 ADAS is already available on selected variants. It remains unclear whether the update will bring any additional features or changes to the variant lineup.
Mahindra has not confirmed a launch date or revised prices for the updated Thar Roxx. If the suspension upgrade makes it to production, it could be a more meaningful change than a routine cosmetic refresh, particularly for owners who use the SUV every day on Indian roads.