Mahindra’s Thar electric, previewed by the Vision T concept, has been spotted testing on Indian roads for the first time. The test mule gives us the clearest indication yet of how much of the concept’s rugged design will make it to the production SUV. The Vision T is one of four concepts developed around Mahindra’s new NU_IQ platform, which is scheduled to spawn production SUVs from 2027 onwards. However, Mahindra has not yet confirmed the final name or specifications of the production version.
The test vehicle retains the upright, boxy proportions that made the Vision T concept look like an electric evolution of the Thar family. The flat bonnet, squared-off wheel arches, upright windscreen and chunky body cladding are all clearly visible. It also gets a familiar Thar-style rear-mounted spare wheel, while the five-door layout gives it a more practical profile. The production SUV appears considerably more conventional than the original Thar.e concept, but Mahindra hasn’t diluted the rugged character. The Vision T itself was designed as an evolution of the Thar.e concept shown in 2023. Compared with that earlier concept, the newer design is noticeably closer to something that could actually make it into a showroom.
The leaked interior is perhaps more interesting than the exterior. The test mule gets a digital instrument cluster, large grab handles on either side of the dashboard and a more conventional dashboard layout. The Vision T concept featured a large portrait-oriented touchscreen, a separate horizontal instrument display and a chunky centre console. It also moved away from the aircraft-style controls of the Thar.e and used a more conventional steering wheel and gear selector. That approach makes sense for a production SUV. The concept looked futuristic, but the latest test mule suggests Mahindra is trying to retain the character without making the cabin unnecessarily complicated.
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The interesting part about the Vision T is its platform. Unlike the original Thar.e, which was conceived purely as an EV, the NU_IQ architecture has been designed for multiple powertrains. Mahindra says the platform can support petrol, diesel, hybrid and pure-electric powertrains, along with both FWD and AWD configurations.
For the SUV spotted here, the expectation is that an electric powertrain will be offered, but Mahindra has not yet revealed battery capacity, range, motor output or charging specifications. Some reports suggest the EV could use battery technology shared with the BE 6 and XEV 9e, but that remains unconfirmed.
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The test vehicle also appears to feature independent rear suspension, marking a significant departure from the ladder-frame construction used by the current Thar and Thar Roxx. That is because the Vision T moves to the NU_IQ monocoque architecture. The platform is front-wheel-drive based but has been engineered to accommodate AWD, which means Mahindra can retain four-wheel-drive capability without carrying over the mechanical layout of the current Thar family.
Mahindra has confirmed that the new generation of SUVs based on the NU_IQ platform will enter production from 2027. The Vision T is expected to follow the first NU_IQ-based model, rather than being the platform’s launch product.
