- The Force Gurkha joins the five-door SUV segment in India.
- The stretched 2,825 mm (111.2 inches) wheelbase allows a more spacious seven-seater interior.
- The ladder-frame SUV comes fitted with a Mercedes-sourced 2.6-liter diesel and a proper 4WD system.
Force Motors has finally unveiled the updated Gurkha range which for the first time includes a five-door bodystyle featuring a three-row seating layout. The rugged off-roader from India, which is unashamedly inspired by the Mercedes G-Class, has also received mild technology updates inside the cabin, and remains exclusively available with diesel power.
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Starting with the new addition to the lineup, the five-door Force Gurkha retains the boxy styling of the existing model, with the longer body making it look even more like a G-Wagen. Measuring 4,390 mm (172.8 inches) long, the five-door version is a full 425 mm (16.7 inches) longer than the three-door sibling, with all of the extra length going into the 2,825 mm (111.2 inches) wheelbase.
More: Force Citiline Is A 10-Seater SUV From India That Looks Like An Old G-Class With A New Face
The front and rear ends are carried over, featuring the same round LED headlights and the unpainted plastic bumpers matching the wide fender extensions. The off-road stance is further enhanced by the 233 mm (9.2 inches) ground clearance, and accessories like the snorkel, roof rack, and rear-mounted ladder. Finally, the SUV rides on a set of 18-inch alloy wheels shod in all-terrain tires.
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Moving inside, both bodystyle variants feature a larger 9-inch infotainment touchscreen which is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The new setup also includes a digital instrument cluster although not as advanced as in modern vehicles from other manufacturers. Force Motors claims that the dashboard is covered by a car-like soft-touch material, but the overall design can’t hide the budget-friendly character of the SUV.
More importantly, the longer body of the five-door Force Gurkha makes room for a three-row seven-seater layout, enhancing its practicality credentials. Still, the compact footprint means there is not much room for luggage at least with all seats in place. Safety equipment is limited to dual airbags, seatbelts, ABS, and a reversing camera.
The Force Gurkha range comes fitted with a 2.6-liter four-cylinder diesel powertrain that is sourced from Mercedes-Benz, producing 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels exclusively via a five-speed manual gearbox and a 4WD system with front and rear locking differentials. As with all models from Force Motors, the Gurkha rides on a ladder-frame architecture, and benefits from multi-link coil suspension on both axles.
The updated Force Gurkha with the five-door option will launch in India soon. Pricing has yet to be announced but it is expected to start from around Rs 16.10-16.60 lakh which is the equivalent of around $19,000-20,000. Rivals include the smaller Suzuki Jimny 5-Door, and the upcoming Mahindra Thar Armada.
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