It isn’t a secret that Mahindra will be introducing an all-new Thar next year. Before that happens, however, the homegrown automaker wanted to give the current-gen off-roader one last hurrah. And it is here. Meet the Mahindra Thar 700 which has been conceived to pay homage to the company’s 70 years of existence in the automotive sector. As the name suggests, the production for this special derivative will be limited to just 700 units.

Priced at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), it costs approximately Rs 24,000 more than the CRDe ABS variant. So, what do you get for that extra money? To start off with, each Thar 700 will flaunt a special badge that contains the signature of Anand Mahindra, who is the chairman at Mahindra Group. Apart from that, the rugged SUV will come with sporty 5-spoke alloy wheels, decals on the side and bonnet, black finish on the grille, silver finish on the front bumper, leatherette upholstery with Thar branding on the front seats and ABS. To heighten that exclusivity factor, Mahindra is offering a new Aquamarine paint with the limited-run Thar, in addition to the Napoli Black shade.

Is it worth the extra amount? Well, of course, it is! Mechanically, however, the Thar 700 is exactly the same as the standard CRDe ABS model. Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre diesel engine which pumps out 107PS/247Nm, all of which is harnessed by a 5-speed manual transmission. The Thar was never about acceleration or a feature-rich cabin. Its charm came to light only when other pseudo-off-roaders get stuck and it just roars past them over challenging terrains. The top trumps include a short wheelbase, a dependable 4WD system, 200mm of ground clearance, a 44-degree approach angle and a 27-degree departure angle.

The Mahindra Thar doesn’t really qualify as an everyday car for those who live in the plains. However, it has always attracted those who wanted a vehicle with a go-anywhere ability. In India, its only real competitor is the Force Gurkha.