Force Gurkha to return with three, five door bodystyles
New Delhi: Force Motors has released teasers for the Gurkha, indicating the return of both the five-door and three-door variants. The three-door model, discontinued with the onset of BS6 Phase II norms in April 2023, will make a comeback alongside the larger SUV. While the full reveal is expected in the coming weeks, the teaser primarily showcases design details of the larger variant.
Initial spy shots suggested square headlamps for the five-door model, but the latest teaser confirms that it will share the same circular units as the Gurkha three-door. Additionally, both models are anticipated to feature a two-slat grille with the Gurkha nameplate, albeit with potential differences in front and rear bumper designs.
Significant disparities will be evident in the side profile, as the Gurkha five-door necessitates a longer wheelbase of 2,825mm to accommodate the rear doors, marking a 425mm increase over the three-door variant. The teaser also reveals new-design alloy wheels, likely 16-inchers fitted with 245/70 R16 tires, along with accessories such as a rear ladder and roof rack with a jerry can holder.
Internally, the primary distinction between the two SUVs will be the seating arrangement. While the Gurkha three-door is configured strictly as a four-seater, the five-door variant is expected to offer multiple seating layouts, including five-seater, two-row; six-seater, three-row; and seven-seater, three-row configurations with individual captain’s chairs for the third row and a bench seat for the second row.
Spy shots of the Gurkha five-door’s interior reveal a shift-on-the-fly 4WD knob positioned adjacent to the driver’s seat on the center console, contrasting with the three-door’s separate front and rear diff-lock levers and manually operated transfer case positioned behind the gear lever.
Both the Gurkha five-door and three-door are anticipated to retain the Mercedes-sourced 2.6-liter diesel engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. While engine output details are yet to be disclosed, the previous Gurkha three-door variant boasted a 91hp, 250Nm state of tune.
Sources indicate that the Force Gurkha five-door and three-door will be launched in India in the upcoming weeks. Positioned as rivals to the Mahindra Thar and upcoming Thar five-door, potentially named the Thar Armada, and the Maruti Jimny, pricing for the Gurkha three-door is anticipated to be slightly higher than its predecessor’s Rs 15.10 lakh (ex-showroom) tag, while the five-door variant could command a premium of approximately Rs 1 lakh-1.5 lakh.
