Force Motors has tantalized enthusiasts with the first glimpse of its highly anticipated Gurkha 5-door SUV. After extensive testing phases that saw test mules traversing the length and breadth of the country, Autocar India confirms that the Force Gurkha 5-door is poised for its grand entrance into the Indian market by mid-2024. This unveiling marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the iconic Gurkha series, promising exciting updates and enhancements over its predecessor, the Gurkha 3-door. Let’s delve deeper into what this rugged lifestyle SUV has in store for enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
Design Changes
Force Motors has unveiled the first teaser of the upcoming Gurkha 5-door SUV. This highly anticipated release follows extensive testing, with sightings of test mules across the country in various pre-production stages. Autocar India can now confirm that the Force Gurkha 5-door is slated for launch in India by mid-2024.
Test mules have offered glimpses of the Force Gurkha 5-door’s design enhancements over the Gurkha 3-door. Notable changes include new square headlamps, replacing the previous circular units. However, the iconic two-slat grille will be retained. Additionally, the lifestyle SUV will sport larger 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels compared to the 16-inch wheels found on the 3-door version. It’s anticipated that both front and rear bumpers might undergo revisions. Apart from the addition of two rear doors, no other significant exterior alterations are expected.
New 4WD Gear, 7-Seat Layout
While the overall cabin layout is expected to remain consistent, previous sightings of test mules revealed notable updates within. The Gurkha 5-door will be equipped with a shift-on-the-fly 4WD knob, positioned conveniently next to the driver’s seat on the center console. This marks a departure from the separate front and rear diff-lock levers and manually operated transfer case found in the Gurkha 3-door.
Force may offer the Gurkha 5-door with multiple seating configurations, including a 5-seater two-row version, a 6-seater three-row variant, and a 7-seater three-row iteration. The latter could feature two individual captain’s chairs for the third row and a bench seat for the second row. With a 2,825mm long wheelbase, the 5-door iteration boasts a 425mm increase over the 3-door version.
Engine and Performance
The Gurkha 5-door is expected to retain the Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre diesel engine featured in the Gurkha 3-door, coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Launch Timeline, Price, and Rivals
Sources indicate that the Force Gurkha 5-door is slated for launch in India within the first quarter of the upcoming financial year. Upon its debut, the SUV will face competition primarily from the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, with additional rivalry anticipated from the forthcoming Mahindra Thar 5-door, also set to launch by mid-2024.
While the last known price of the Gurkha 3-door was Rs 15.10 lakh (ex-showroom), the lifestyle SUV hasn’t been available since the implementation of BS6 Phase II emissions norms on April 1st last year. It’s speculated that the Gurkha 5-door could command a premium ranging from Rs 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh over its 3-door counterpart.
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