Force Motors is gearing up for an exciting comeback with the reintroduction of its iconic Gurkha SUV in both three-door and five-door configurations.
After the discontinuation of the Gurkha 3-door last April due to the implementation of BS6 Phase II norms, the brand is now reviving it alongside the five-door model.
Design Highlights
Both the Gurkha 3-door and 5-door are expected to feature similar designs with distinctive touches that set them apart. Recent teaser images reveal that the five-door model will retain the circular headlamps of its predecessor, a signature characteristic of the Gurkha. Additionally, the front grille adorned with the Gurkha nameplate is likely to be consistent across both variants, while minor differences may be observed in their front and rear bumper designs.
One significant contrast between the two models lies in their side profiles. The Gurkha 5-door will boast a longer wheelbase, measuring 2,825mm, which is 425mm longer than its three-door counterpart. This extended wheelbase enables the incorporation of rear doors, enhancing accessibility and interior space.
Interior Details
The interior configurations of the Gurkha 3-door and 5-door will cater to diverse seating preferences. While the three-door variant will accommodate four passengers in a strict layout, the five-door model is expected to offer multiple seating arrangements, including a five-seater two-row version, a six-seater three-row version, and a seven-seat three-row iteration featuring two individual captain’s chairs in the third row and a bench seat in the second row.
Spy shots of the Gurkha 5-door’s interior hint at the inclusion 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 previously featured separate front and rear diff-lock levers and a manually operated transfer case behind the gear lever.
Powertrain
Both the Gurkha 5-door and 3-door are anticipated to retain the Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre diesel engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Although specific output figures have not been disclosed, the previous Gurkha 3-door boasted a power output of 91hp and 250Nm of torque in its state of tune.
Launch Timeline, Price, and Rivals
Sources indicate that the Force Gurkha 5-door and 3-door variants will hit the Indian market in the coming weeks. While the Gurkha 3-door will resume its rivalry with the Mahindra Thar, the five-door iteration will face competition from the anticipated Thar 5-door, possibly named the Thar Armada upon its release in mid-2024, along with the Maruti Jimny.
Before its discontinuation, the Gurkha 3-door was priced at Rs 15.10 lakh (ex-showroom). It is speculated that the reintroduced 3-door variant may be priced slightly higher than its predecessor, while the Gurkha 5-door could command a premium of Rs 1 lakh-1.5 lakh.