Updated Force Gurkha to launch this year: To compete with New Mahindra Thar

Force Motors revealed the all-new Gurkha at the 2020 Auto Expo. The new SUV was scheduled to launch by the middle of 2020 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch could not take place. Force Motors will now launch the all-new Gurkha in the Indian market soon.

The all-new Gurkha bears quite a resemblance to the older-generation model, which is not available in the market anymore. The new Gurkha uses an updated ladder-frame chassis, which is designed to meet the new crash tests and the front-end design also meets the new pedestrian protection guidelines.

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The Gurkha retains its boxy shape design and carries forward the boot-mounted spare wheel too. Also, Force will offer both 3-door and 5-door options with the Gurkha, just like its predecessor. However, the all-new Gurkha gets updated bumpers, headlamps with integrated LED DRL, new tail lamps, and a new grille at the front. With the new chassis, Force Motors will use an independent front double-wishbone and a five-link, rigid-axle rear set-up. The coil springs are there on all four wheels.

Force will also offer 4X2 variants, unlike the Mahindra Thar. The 4X4 variants of the Gurkha will come equipped with a low-range transfer case and will also get front and rear axle differential locks.

New cabin

Even the cabin of the all-new Force Gurkha is new. The dashboard design is new and the cabin gets a dual-tone theme that adds a premium touch. Keeping up with modern times, Force has also added a touchscreen infotainment system and a new instrument cluster with a multi-information display.

Force is yet to officially reveal the features of the all-new Gurkha. However, it is most likely to get a tilt-and-telescopic steering setup as standard. Also, the SUV will come with dual airbags, ABS, rear parking sensors, power windows and more. The all-ew Gurkha also retains the side-facing last row seats.

Force will offer a long list of customisation options as per ACI, it will attract customers. However, the customisation options remain unknown at this time.

Mercedes-Benz-derived engine

The all-new Gurkha will come powered by a 2.6-litre diesel engine. It is the same Mercedes-Benz-derived engine that powered the last generation of the SUV too. In the BS6 avatar, the engine produces a maximum power of 90 PS and a peak torque of 260 Nm. It gets a five-speed manual transmission as standard. Force is yet to comment on the 2.2-litre diesel engine that produced a maximum of 140 PS and was available with the Gurkha Extreme.

Force Motors will launch the Gurkha later this year and the price is likely to remain around Rs 10 to 12 lakh. The Gurkha will fight against the highly successful Mahindra Thar and the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Jimny.

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