From its wild stallion characteristics to its ability to get you from the desert sands of Jaisalmer to the snowy mountains of the Himalayas in 24 hours flat, we have done all sorts of epic things with the Mahindra Thar. We have even talked about the Thar lifestyle in many ways. The one thing we hadn’t talked about in too much depth was Freedom. Until now. In this issue, celebrating India’s 75th year of Independence, Editor Sirish Chandran delves deep under the surface to understand what the Thar meant from the perspective of Freedom. In addition, we settle one of the oldest debates of the off-road community - 4WD vs AWD and offer a sneak peak into Mahindra’s state-of-the-art design centre in the UK. We also take a close look at the Born Electric phenomenon and back it all up with a drive of the XUV400 and Scorpio Classic. All that, and a helluva lot more.
The Thar is so much about functionality. Every single aspect of the Thar smacks of functionality. Yet, the Thar symbolises so much more than just functionality and practicality. It is, literally, the four-wheeled pictograph of Freedom.
Settling debates is never easy, but with one mighty effort and a little bit of help from Velusamy R of Mahindra, we have finally managed to put to bed an old quarrel - 4WD vs AWD.
We get talking to Pratap Bose to get the real lowdown on Mahindra’s spanking new design centre in the UK.
Electrifying stuff from Mahindra as Born Electric becomes the catchphrase for the company’s drive into a sustainable future.
Between the now and the then, we present Mahindra’s new offering in the burgeoning EV space - the XUV400.
Can a Mahindra bust a tank? Well if you have a handful armed with the right weapons, you’d be able to route an enemy tank force. That is exactly what the museum in Longewala tells us.
In the second part of this mother of a throwback, Sirish remembers what it was like driving through Azerbaijan.
Drive around and turn the planet green. Or at least that is the intention of the Scorpio-N Green Drive.
Another crazy throwback to the time when resident looney Ouseph took the stripped-of-all-comforts, angry orange Super Thar to the forbidden heights of the Mana Pass.
Exploring the lure of Ladakh by taking a close look at this year’s Monastery Escape.
Excitement peaks as off-road enthu-cutlets fight for the ultimate prize, the top seat at the Rain Forest Challenge.
Designer Mahindras. Ever heard of them? No? Well, yet another reason to pick up this issue of Engage 4x4.
The final part of the hunt for a diesel motor, in this issue’s Timeless Mahindra
Top tips on driving in the snow
Agent Vinod investigates the differences between terrain modes
All that, and more! Order your issue now or subscribe to the bi-monthly off-road culture magazine. Exclusive Engage 4x4 t-shirt when you subscribe!