The name Force Gurkha may not resonate as loudly as its competitors, notably the Mahindra Thar. However, Force Motors is gearing up to change the game with its upcoming offering – the Gurkha 5-door. From the rear, the Gurkha 5-door presents a robust stance adorned with LED tail lamps and a prominently displayed rear-mounted spare tyre. At the front, square-shaped halogen headlamps command attention, hinting at the vehicle's rugged persona.
Power and Performance
Underneath its formidable exterior lies the heart of the Gurkha 5-door – a 2.6-litre diesel engine sourced from Mercedes-Benz, capable of churning out 91bhp and a torque of 250Nm. While these figures promise adequate power, enthusiasts eagerly await Force Motors' fine-tuning to match the demands of the 5-door variant. The vehicle will retain its five-speed gearbox, but enthusiasts hope for an optional automatic transmission to enhance convenience and the driving experience. Force Motors has been rigorously testing the Gurkha 5-door, fueling speculation about its impending launch. Initially slated for release in the first half of 2023, delays have prolonged the anticipation, leaving enthusiasts eager for more. With the potential launch window extending into the latter half of this year or early next year, Force Motors aims to position itself strategically against its competitors, notably the anticipated 5-door variant of the Mahindra Thar slated for 2024.
Unique Features of the Force Gurkha
1. Macho Styling and Impressive Street Presence: The Force Gurkha boasts a rugged exterior design that commands attention on the road, coupled with a robust build quality.
2. Enhanced User-Friendliness: Compared to its predecessor, the new Gurkha offers superior interiors and improved amenities, making it more user-friendly for everyday use.
3. Advanced Off-Roading Capabilities: Equipped with shift-on-the-fly 4×4 capability, low range, differential locks, and an impressive ground clearance of 233 mm, the Gurkha excels in off-road environments. Its excellent gradability, approach, departure, and break-over angles further enhance its prowess.
4. Variety of Configurations: The Gurkha is available in both 3-door and 5-door (7-seater) versions, providing versatility and catering to different consumer preferences, giving it an edge over competitors.
5. Superior Ride Comfort: In comparison to other purpose-built off-roaders like the Thar, the Gurkha offers a noticeably smoother ride, enhancing passenger comfort on various terrains.
6. Compact Turning Radius: With a turning radius of 5.5 metres for the 3-door variant, the Gurkha offers better manoeuvrability compared to its competitors, especially in tight spaces.
7. Homologated Accessories: Owners benefit from homologated accessories such as a windscreen protection bar, roof carrier, ladder, and various lamp grilles, ensuring compliance with regulations and enhancing functionality. Additionally, the factory-fitted snorkel adds to its off-road capabilities.
8. Spacious Boot Capacity: The 3-door variant offers ample boot space of 500 litres, sufficient for accommodating luggage during family vacations or outdoor adventures.
9. Feature-Rich Interior: The Gurkha comes equipped with features such as a hard top, LED headlamps with DRLs, rear wash and wipe, a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, power and eco drive modes, TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), dead pedal, and rear A/C vents, enhancing comfort and convenience for occupants.
Things that Should Have Been Better
1. Difficulty in Ingress and Egress: The high floor of the Gurkha makes it challenging for elderly passengers to enter and exit the vehicle comfortably.
2. Below-Average Braking Performance: The Gurkha's braking capability is considered below average, with a long pedal travel, potentially compromising safety.
3. Limited Options: Unlike its competitors like the Thar, the Gurkha lacks soft-top or convertible options, as well as a petrol engine or automatic transmission, limiting choice for buyers.
4. Handling Issues: Its tall stature results in significant body roll and poor handling dynamics, especially during cornering or high-speed manoeuvres.
5. Mediocre Performance: Despite its increased power and torque, the Gurkha's overall performance falls short of expectations compared to its rivals.
6. Interior Quality Concerns: The overall fit and finish, as well as the quality of interior plastics, and the performance of the ICE (In-Car Entertainment) audio system, may not meet some buyers' expectations.
7. Difficult to Operate Transmission: The Gurkha's clunky 5-speed manual transmission has long throws and can be difficult to use, which detracts from the driving experience.
8. Missing Safety and Convenience Features: Several desirable features, such as six airbags, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), hill-hold/descent control, a sunroof, auto headlamps, auto wipers, driver's seat height and lumbar adjustment, an auto-dimming IRVM (Inside Rearview Mirror), and electrically folding ORVMs (Outside Rearview Mirrors), are absent in the Gurkha.
9. Limitation in Seating Configuration: In the 5-door variant, the third-row captain seats cannot be folded or flipped, necessitating the placement of luggage on and around them or requiring the use of a carrier for additional storage.
The Force Gurkha 5-door emerges as a promising contender in off-road vehicles, poised to challenge established norms and redefine adventure on wheels. With its robust design, formidable powertrain, and imminent launch, it stands as a testament to Force Motors commitment to innovation and adventure.
