Mahindra Stinger (TUV300-based) SUV convertible unveiled at the 2018 Auto Expo

Mahindra has just pulled off the covers from the Stinger convertible SUV, a concept that’s based on the TUV300 sub-4 meter vehicles. Convertibles are almost non-existent in India’s mass-market segments. The last affordable convertible was the San Storm and most of you won’t even know what that is. So, when mass market car makers show convertibles, we get quite excited. And that explains why the Stinger attracted such a crowd today at the Auto Expo.

The Stinger convertible is a heavily stylized version of the TUV300. While it uses the TUV300’s ladder frame chassis and chopped body shell, Mahindra has given it a lot more power and torque. The convertible SUV concept is powered by a 2.2 liter mHawk turbo diesel engine that makes 140 Bhp-320 Nm. If Mahindra ever puts this one into production, it’ll be one quick SUV.

Talking of which, there has been some talk about Mahindra replacing the Thar with a brand new off roader. Why not the Stinger convertible SUV, we ask? While that’s a decision that Mahindra will have to take, there is more than one reason why an off roader based on the TUV300 makes a lot of sense, as the Thar’s replacement. First of all, the Thar won’t be able to meet future crash test norms in its current form.

Redesigning the Thar to meet crash test norms will be quite expensive. Why do it, when the TUV300’s platform is already crash-test ready? This is a good reason for Mahindra to put the Stinger into production, with a powerful turbo diesel engine and a four wheel drive layout. The 2.2 liter mHawk engine already supports both rear wheel drive and four wheel drive layouts. Such options are already available on the Scorpio. What are you waiting for, Mahindra?