The 5-door Force Gurkha has been undergoing road tests for some time. Gurkha is a well-known and affordable off-road vehicle in India, primarily competing with the Mahindra Thar. However, the segment is now being stirred up by the new Maruti Jimny. Currently, the Gurkha is offered in a 3-door configuration, similar to the Thar. Going forward, both these SUVs will introduce their 5-door variants to contend with the appealing and impressive Jimny. Let’s delve into the details of this upcoming long-wheelbase Gurkha model, set to arrive in showrooms soon.
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5-Door Force Gurkha Seen on High Altitude Test
This recent video is courtesy of an Instagram post. It features the XL-size Gurkha in a heavy camouflage. The SUV seems to be undergoing high altitude testing. The footage provides a good look at the SUV. Despite the camo, the Gurkha’s silhouette shines through. The vehicle retains its robust, boxy dimensions, exuding a commanding presence. In fact, the vehicle even gets the same snorkel as the 3-door sibling. When viewed from the sides, one can observe the machine-cut alloy wheels, convenient side steps, pronounced and flared wheel arches, and an upright posture. Moving to the rear, it follows the traditional SUV design, complete with a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. Essentially, it remains true to the existing 3-door model with only differences arising from the bigger footprint.
Although there has been no official confirmation regarding the specifications, it is expected that the long-wheelbase Gurkha will likely feature the same engine as the standard model. This engine is a 2.6-liter diesel unit, sourced from Mercedes, with an output of 91 hp and 250 Nm of peak power and torque. It’s coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission and a 4×4 drivetrain, emphasizing its off-road prowess. While there’s a potential for Force to enhance the engine’s performance, there are no confirmed details at this time.
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What We Think
When it comes to the off-road capability, the Force Gurkha can go head-to-head with the renowned Thar and the new Jimny. However, its basic interior and somewhat limited features have impacted its sales performance. Nonetheless, we feel that a dedicated community of hardcore off-road enthusiasts favors the Gurkha over the Thar. The introduction of a 5-door version would offer added practicality, addressing the current limitation of a fixed second-row window. Additionally, Force is reportedly exploring the development of various SUV models based on the Gurkha platform, including a pickup truck. The future of this segment holds much anticipation.
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