Force Motors has unveiled a sneak peek of the forthcoming Gurkha 5-door SUV, which is slated for launch in India by mid-2024. The anticipation surrounding this launch is high, especially considering its rivalry with the soon-to-be-launched Mahindra Thar Armada.
The development of the Gurkha 5-door has been in progress since 2022, with extensive testing conducted across various terrains. This SUV is expected to bring about some noteworthy cosmetic alterations compared to its 3-door counterpart.
Design-wise, the Gurkha 5-door will sport fresh square headlamps, replacing the circular ones while retaining the two-slat grille. Additionally, it will boast 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. Although the addition of two rear doors is a significant change, other exterior modifications are anticipated to be minimal.
In terms of functionality, the Gurkha 5-door is set to introduce a new shift-on-the-fly 4WD knob, offering enhanced maneuverability. This feature will replace the manual diff-lock levers found in the 3-door version. Furthermore, Force might provide multiple seating arrangements, including 5-seater, 6-seater, and 7-seater configurations, catering to diverse consumer preferences. With a wheelbase extended by 425mm compared to its predecessor, the 5-door variant promises ample interior space.
Under the hood, the Gurkha 5-door will likely retain the robust Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre diesel engine coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox. As for the launch timeline and pricing, sources suggest that the Gurkha 5-door will hit the Indian market in the first quarter of the upcoming financial year (April-June 2024).
While it will enter a segment with limited direct competitors, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and the anticipated Mahindra Thar 5-door will pose indirect competition. Considering the price of the previous Gurkha 3-door model at Rs 15.10 lakh (ex-showroom), the 5-door variant is expected to command a premium of around Rs 1 lakh-1.5 lakh.
Mahindra is also planning to launch the much anticipated 5 door version of their popular offroader, Mahindra Thar. Currently, the Gurkha goes head to head with the Thar, and this will continue between the 5 door versions of both the offroaders.
Reports suggest that the Thar 5-door could be named Thar Armada. The expected launch date of the SUV is sometime in June or August 2024. In addition to the 3-door Thar, Armada will come with two additional doors and a bigger, more practical boot space.
Not many changes are expected on the exterior except for minor design refreshments and the new 19-inch alloy wheels. However, the theme of the interior is changed to a combination of beige and black as opposed to the all-black in the 3-door version. Armada will also offer a much bigger 10.25-inch infotainment system and LED setup in the front. Multiple spy shots of the SUV have revealed numerous details.
Powering the Armada are the petrol and diesel units borrowed from the 3-door Thar. However, some tuning to the engines could be done to pull the additional weight. The 3-door Thar is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 150 hp and 320 Nm of torque or a 2.2-litre diesel engine producing 130 hp and 300 Nm of torque. Transmission options are likely to remain the same: either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.
The post Force Gurkha 5 Door Teased: To Challenge The 5 Door Mahindra Thar Armada first appeared on Cartoq.
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