Just like the new Mahindra Thar, the 2020 Force Gurkha is significantly improved over its predecessor both in terms of on road dynamics and off-road ability. The new Thar might have a few reasons to worry about its new competition.
The second-gen Mahindra Thar has had an exceptional debut with both critics and fans widely acclaiming the new SUV. So far, the Thar has never witnessed much of a competition but that’s going to change soon. Force Motors will soon be launching the new 2020 Gurkha and the Mahindra Thar could have a few reasons to worry. The 2020 Gurkha has been spotted testing again, this time in a new ravishing red paint shade, and is expected to launch closer to Diwali.
The Force Gurkha was around even in the times of the first-gen Thar. However, it never really was a competition to the Thar because it never had the cool quotient of the Thar. Moreover, it was even more bare-bones than the already bare-bones first-gen Thar. Even the first-gen Thar outshone the Gurkha in almost every regard. However, just like Mahindra has seriously upped the Thar, Force Motors too have put in a great amount of work on the new Gurkha. Although we doubt if it will still match up to the second-gen Thar, it can at least offer much stiffer competition.
The 2020 Force Gurkha has been completely reworked and although it looks similar to the outgoing model, it almost a whole new car. The 2020 Gurkha gets a new chassis and a new body shell with much more emphasis on interior comfort and features. Now it also complies with present crash-test standards as well as the upcoming pedestrian safety norms. The new Gurkha gets new bumpers at both ends with new headlamps and tail lamps. The headlamps even have LED DRLs this time and bonnet mounted turn indicators remind you of the mighty Mercedes G-Class. The SUV also gets a new grille and the black body cladding and bulging wheel arches further enhance its off-road appeal. Completing the look are 16-inch alloy wheels shod with 245/70 tubeless tyres.
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It is on the inside where the new Gurkha sees the most important changes. Its a pleasant departure from the utilitarian interiors of the previous Gurkha and while the dashboard is still set quite shallow and upright, it much better equipped this time. It gets a new touchscreen infotainment system flanked by air-con vents o either sides. There’s a new control stack for the air-con system and a new instrument cluster with a MID between the tachometer and the speedometer. Its still quite basic but a huge improvement over its predecessor. However, improvement inside the cabin are not up to the levels of the new Thar.
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Under the hood, the new 2020 Force Gurkha will be carrying forward its Mercedes-Benz sourced 2.6 liter diesel engine from its predecessor but now it meets the BS6 norms. The updated unit puts out 90hp (up 5hp from its predecessor) 280 Nm of peak torque. It comes paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. As before, the four-wheel-drive model uses live axles at either end, along with manual locking differentials controlled via levers on the floor console, between the driver and co-driver. A two-wheel drive model will also be available. The new SUV gets an independent front suspension and coil springs at all four corners. The carmaker has stated it has plans to introduce more body configurations and multiple wheelbase options as well.
