India's Jeep look-alike is about to get a whole new look. Off-road builder Mahindra, which has built the CJ-styled Roxor and then later JK-like Thar for decades, has just revealed four new concept models. They showcase a new platform, new power, and, crucially, drop some of the design language that has kept the company in court with Stellantis around the world for years.
Mind you, the Vision T isn't that far from a Jeep's design, but it should be more than enough to get around claims of copyright infringement. Though GMC's Hummer EV SUV team might want to get in on the courtroom party this time.
The Vision T Is Like A Modern Jimny
It's understandable that Mahindra wanted to keep the Jeep design that worked so well for it on the Thar and Roxor. After all, the company's first road vehicle was a Wrangler built under license, and it maintains parts of that license today. But times have changed, and now Mahindra appears to be doing the same.
The four new models include two 4x4s, a sort-of pickup, and a crossover-styled model. The Vision T SUV and Vision SXT truck are the ones with the most old Willys in their design, but they're still very rugged-looking models. And they still have a multi-slot grille, only this time it's six slots instead of seven, and they're bisected around a third of the way up from the bottom. See, no Jeep resemblance at all.
Mahindra showed the concepts loaded with accessories and gadgets that we're not sure could make production. For example, it appears latches are holding the headlights in place. The front winch is a nice touch, though. And the integrated fuel can at the rear gives it modern Defender vibes.
The Vision S looks like a competitor to the Suzuki Jimny, and it moves even further from the Jeep vibes thanks to a fully digital grille. It still has six slots, though, like the Vision T. And with the fuel can, roof lights, and brush protectors, the Land Rover Defender vibes are even more present. It's like a Defender for kids, which is kind of awesome.
Tiny Pickup And A Luxury-Look Crossover
Mahindra's Vision SXT takes the rear off of the Vision T and gives you the smallest cargo bed ever. Still, if you need storage for wet, muddy, or otherwise unpleasant cargo, it's better than putting it inside.
The sleek one is the Vision X. It's an interestingly styled crossover that is much more of a city vehicle than the other trio. It looks much more premium than the others, though we didn't get interior images or details.
Mahindra plans to build all four of these, starting in 2027 with the Vision S. The T and SXT are set for late 2027, and the X is due in late 2028. All will be built on the company's latest NU_IQ platform, an architecture that is designed for electric or combustion power. That has the benefit of giving a flat floor to buyers of both power sources. The platform can also handle left and right-drive. It may not come to the US, but some of these should end up in Europe and Australia.