Force Gurkha 2.2 launched: Lot more POWERFUL than Mahindra Thar

Force Gurkha has remained one of the most understated SUVs in the Indian car market. The brand was expected to launch a more powerful version of the Gurkha in the Indian market and it has finally launched the 140 Bhp version of the SUV. The new Force Gurkha Xtreme with new 140 Bhp engine is priced at Rs. 12.99 lakhs, ex-showroom, India, reports AutocarIndia.

Visually, the Force Gurkha Xtreme remains identical to the standard variants of the SUV. It retains the boxy design and comes with a factory-fitted snorkel. Under the hood, the Force Gurkha gets powered by a new 2.2-litre engine that has been derived from a Mercedes-Benz diesel engine. The new engine produces a maximum power of 140 Bhp and a peak torque of 321 Nm. It also gets paired up with a new 5-speed manual transmission sourced from Mercedes-Benz. This is the same engine that powered by the Force One, which now has been discontinued in the Indian market. Force Gurkha has been often criticised for being underpowered and the regular variants of the vehicle continue to offer the same 2.6-litre diesel engine that produces a maximum of 85 Bhp.

The new, more powerful Gurkha continues to get a low-range transfer case but there is no shift-on-the-fly system that allows drivers to engage the low ratio gear without stopping. Increasing the capabilities are the front and rear diff-locks, which are also standard with the regular version of the SUV. The new Force Gurkha also gets an upgraded suspension system. It gets a multi-link arrangement at the front and rear. The front track has become wider by 40mm, which will allow greater stability to the vehicle on high-speed. Force Motors has also made improvements to the approach, departure and ramp break over angles. The approach angle stands at 44 degrees, ram over angle is at 35 degrees and the departure angle has now improved to 29 degrees. It is much better than the 39 degrees, 27 degrees and 24 degrees angle of the regular Force Gurkha. It gets a 205mm of ground clearance and with the snorkel, it gets a water wading depth of 550mm.

The updated Gurkha also gets new interiors. It gets a new centre console, gear lever and low-ratio transfer lever. Other updates done to the interior are not known yet as Force is yet to announce the launch officially in the Indian market.

The Force Gurkha takes on the Mahindra Thar directly and with the update, it will grab many more eyeballs in the market. The regular 85 Bhp powered variants of the Force Gurkha are priced from Rs. 10.49 lakhs and the 140 Bhp version is Rs. 2.5 lakhs more expensive. That said, Force Gurkha is an extremely capable vehicle and would surely conquer new places with the more powerful engine under the hood.

The Mahindra Thar CRDe, which is available only in a soft top variant, has an average ex-showroom price of Rs. 9.37 lakhs. While this makes it much cheaper than the Gurkha, you do miss out on the extra power, better suspension, differential locks and also the hard top.