Force Motors has unveiled a sneak peek into the much-anticipated Gurkha 5-door SUV. The company has been extensively testing this new model, with camouflaged prototypes spotted nationwide at various stages of development. Autocar India can now confirm that the Force Gurkha 5-door is set to hit the Indian market by mid-2024.
Force Gurkha 5-door:
A Long-Awaited Evolution The development of the Force Gurkha 5-door has been ongoing since 2022. This new variant is expected to feature several cosmetic enhancements compared to its 3-door counterpart. Notable changes include the introduction of square headlamps in place of the previous circular units, while retaining the signature two-slat grille. Additionally, the SUV will be outfitted with larger 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, a step up from the 16-inch wheels found on the 3-door model. There may also be revisions to the front and rear bumpers.
Other than these updates and the inclusion of two extra rear doors, the exterior design is expected to remain largely unchanged.
Enhanced Features and Configuration:
While the interior layout is likely to remain consistent with the current model, a recent test mule revealed the addition of a shift-on-the-fly 4WD knob, positioned conveniently next to the driver’s seat on the center console. In contrast, the Gurkha 3-door featured separate front and rear diff-lock levers, along with a manually operated transfer case positioned behind the gear lever.
Force may offer the Gurkha 5-door in various seating configurations, including a 5-seater two-row version, a 6-seater three-row variant, and a 7-seater three-row iteration with two individual captain’s chairs for the third row and a bench seat for the second row. The 5-door model will boast a 2,825mm long wheelbase, 425mm longer than its 3-door counterpart.
Performance and Launch Details:
The Gurkha 5-door is expected to retain the Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre diesel engine, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, which has been a part of the Gurkha 3-door lineup.
As per our sources, the Force Gurkha 5-door is slated for launch in India in the first quarter of the upcoming financial year. Upon its debut, the SUV will not have any direct competitors in the market, but it may face competition from the Maruti Suzuki Jimny. Furthermore, the segment will soon welcome the Mahindra Thar 5-door, scheduled for launch around the same time.
While the last known price of the Force Gurkha 3-door was Rs 15.10 lakh (ex-showroom), the SUV has been unavailable since the implementation of the BS6 Phase II emissions norms on April 1 last year. The Gurkha 5-door could be priced at a premium of Rs 1 lakh-1.5 lakh over its 3-door counterpart.
