The Force Gurkha becomes longer and gains an additional pair of doors and a more spacious seven-seater cabin
- Force Motors has introduced a five-door version of the Gurkha SUV that offers a more spacious seven-seater layout compared to the existing three-door model.
- It retains the boxy design inspired by the Mercedes G-Class, features a longer wheelbase and a slightly updated interior with a digital instrument cluster.
- Power comes from a 2.6-liter Mercedes-sourced diesel, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission and an all-wheel drive system with limited-slip differentials.
Force Motors has finally unveiled the updated Gurkha range, which includes a five-door body style with a three-row seating arrangement for the first time. The robust off-roader from India, which is clearly based on the Mercedes G-Class, has also received slight technology updates in the interior and is still only available with diesel power.
Starting with the new addition to the lineup, the five-door Force Gurkha retains the boxy design of the existing model, with the longer body making it look even more like a G-Wagen. At 4,390 mm (172.8 inches) long, the five-door version is a full 425 mm (16.7 inches) longer than its three-door sibling, with all of the additional length going into the 2,825 mm (111.2 inches) wheelbase.
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The front and rear sections retain their distinctive design, including the characteristic round LED headlights and unpainted plastic bumpers that match the wide fender flares. The off-road capability is further enhanced by a ground clearance of 233 mm (9.2 inches) and accessories such as a snorkel, roof rack and rear ladder. To complete the rugged look, the SUV is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires.
Inside, both variants feature a larger 9-inch infotainment touchscreen that 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 the dashboard is covered in a car-like soft-touch material, but the overall design still reflects the budget-friendly nature of the SUV.
More importantly, the five-door Force Gurkha’s longer body allows for a three-row, seven-seat layout, increasing its practicality. However, the compact footprint means there isn’t much room for luggage, especially with all the seats in place. Safety equipment is limited to dual airbags, seat belts, ABS and a rear view camera.
Mercedes power under the hood
The Force Gurkha range is offered with a 2.6-liter four-cylinder diesel powertrain from Mercedes-Benz that produces 138 hp (103 kW / 140 hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels exclusively via a five-speed manual transmission and an all-wheel drive system with locking differentials at the front and rear. Like all Force Motors models, the Gurkha is based on a ladder frame architecture and benefits from multi-link coil suspension on both axles.
The updated Force Gurkha with the five-door option is expected to launch in India soon. Although the prices have not been announced yet, they are expected to start at around Rs 16.10 to 16.60 lakh, which is approximately $19,000 to $20,000. Competitors in this segment include the smaller Suzuki Jimny 5-Door and the upcoming Mahindra Thar Armada.