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Mahindra North America or Mana, have launched the Roxor in Detroit this week under their MANA or Mahindra North America Banner. And it to fully understand the Irony, you must first understand what the Roxor is. It’s Thar-based non-street legal version of the Mahindra Thar on sale in India, and it turns out to be a great option if you’d like the like the rough and tumble reliability of a old Jeep in 2018. So How does Mahindra sell what is essentially, a Jeep derived vehicle right under the FCA’s nose in America? Next slide to find out!
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The Answer to that lies in the Grill, which, unlike the Thar in India does not get the “Jeep” Signature 7-slot Grill. It gets what Mahindra calls the four and a half slot grill. This is is because, Jeep really doesn’t like anyone using their signature grill and, Mahindra agreed in 2009 that they would not use it on a Mahindra Jeep being sold in North America.
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Now, Mahindra North America is selling the Roxor as a non-road legal ATV, At 3759 mm the Roxor is almost 200mm shorter than the Thar, almost 200 mm narrower at 1574 mm to the Thar’s 1710 mm. And even gets 228 mm of Ground Clearance which is 41 mm more than the Thars. Now it can afford all these cuts since it doesn’t have to comply to road legal requirements that the Thar does. That also allows for the almost 300 kilo advantage for the Roxor which tips the scales at 1376 kgs.
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This means the Jeep has come a full circle since Mahindra obtained the license to manufacture the Jeep in 1947. What’s more, is that it has a big advantage in terms of payload and towing to ATVs on sale in the US. Courtesy it’s Thar derived 2.5 litre Diesel that makes 63 hp and 195 Nm of Torque. The big downside is the fact is that it comes with a speed limit of 72 kmph (45mph).
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Now the Roxor comes factory stock sans a windshield .in fact. a whole lot of parts that would have made it heavier or slower have been left out. And considering the pedigree which is pure undistilled Jeep, the Roxor does make a strong case as an alternative to restoring an old Jeep and using it. All in all, given how capable the Thar is WITH the extra weight. The Roxor is surely going to be much more so. And We’re a little jealous of North America right now.
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