Force Motors is testing multiple versions of the Gurkha 5-door, which include a pickup and more versions of the three-door.
The Force Gurkha 3-door went on sale in September 2021, and the brand has since then introduced the Trax Cruiser MUV and its derivatives in India. We have now learnt that the Force Motors is testing multiple variants of the much-awaited Gurkha 5-door, and at least two more models based on the Gurkha platform, and we expect some of them, if not all, to hit the showrooms in the near future.
As far as engine and gearbox options go, all models are expected to come with the same Mercedes-Benz-derived 2.6-litre diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. There could be a difference in power and torque output, as well as engine tuning, depending on the model.
- Gurkha 5-door being tested with two 4WD systems
- Gurkha lifestyle pickup truck in the works
- Gurkha 3-door could come with six seats
Force Gurkha 5-door: two 4WD systems being evaluated
While the Gurkha 5-door has been seen testing many times in the past year, we recently caught a slightly different-looking version of the SUV. This iteration had a revised front-end design, which had more in common with the Force Trax Cruiser MUV and did not feature the Gurkha 3-door-like round headlight set-up seen previously.
The Five-door Gurkha has been spied with several seating configurations so far.
What was also different was a “new” shift-on-the-fly 4WD knob instead of a lever-operated set-up seen on the Gurkha 3-door, as well as the 5-door version spied earlier. Though the company is testing two different 4WD setups for the SUV, there is no confirmation right now on which one would make it to the production-spec Gurkha 5-door. There is a possibility that one of these two four-wheel-drive systems could see duty on the Gurkha meant for the export markets.
Additionally, Force Motors is testing multiple seating options on the Gurkha 5-door, with various test mules seen with seating for up to five, six and even seven passengers at times. The Gurkha 5-door will be a direct rival to the upcoming Thar 5-door, which will go on sale next year.
Force Gurkha 5-door: lifestyle pickup being readied
First shown at an event in Indonesia last year, Force Motors has been testing a pickup iteration of the Gurkha on Indian roads as well. This new vehicle is actually based on the longer Force Trax Cruiser chassis, but the body resembles the Gurkha 5-door with the pickup bed making up the length similar to the Trax Cruiser. Its dual cab design features a split window at the rear to allow access to the truck bed, however, the truck’s tailgate opens sideways instead of folding down, like a conventional pickup truck.
The Gurkha pickup version is based on the Cruiser Trax chassis.
The brand could be testing the Gurkha-based pickup truck for defence forces’ use, and this version could even get a soft top, Army-spec special lighting and paint shade. This pickup, if launched in India, could be an affordable alternative to the likes of the Isuzu V-Cross and the Toyota Hilux in the lifestyle pickup segment.
Force Gurkha 3-door: 6-seater SUV sighted
If the Gurkha 5-door and the pickup versions are not enough, Force Motors is also testing a different 3-door derivative of the Gurkha. Recently spotted test mules look almost identical to the production-spec Gurkha that’s on sale right now, but a closer look reveals two major changes. Firstly, the large rear glasshouse, which currently cannot be opened in the Gurkha 3-door, has been split into a more conventional-looking sliding window set-up – something that we had reported on in our review back in 2021.
The most recent sighting of the Gurkha 3-door had split windows and side-facing seats.
The second important change on this SUV seen testing is the addition of side-facing bench seats, which increases the seating capacity from four to six. While there is no news of Force Motors introducing this derivative of the Gurkha 3-door, adding a variant like this to the line-up would boost the Gurkha’s appeal in our market as the model currently is available as a four-seater only.
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