New Gurkha powered by a 90hp, 2.6-litre diesel engine; gets 4WD with locking front and rear differentials; forward-facing captain sets in second row
15 Sep 2021 | 11736 Views | By Autocar Pro News Desk
Pune-based Force Motors has revealed the final production-ready model year 2021 Gurkha SUV. The new Gurkha is built on a ground-up modular architecture platform with an all new wider and longer body, gets new interiors, a new crash-compliant, high strength C-in-C chassis, and a new coil spring suspension on all ...
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Pune-based Force Motors has revealed the final production-ready model year 2021 Gurkha SUV. The new Gurkha is built on a ground-up modular architecture platform with an all new wider and longer body, gets new interiors, a new crash-compliant, high strength C-in-C chassis, and a new coil spring suspension on all four wheels. The only carryover from the previous-generation Gurkha is the Mercedes G-Wagen-inspired looks and imposing stance.
What’s also new is the Gurkha logo replacing the F-logo on the front grille. On the sides of the new Gurkha, a new mnemonic signifies the vehicle’s all-terrain and all-weather capability. The khukri on the brand logo has been moved from the left to the right and aligned at the same angle as the air intake snorkel.
Force Motors says the 2021 Gurkha is the only vehicle in its class that features full LED Force Pro Edge headlamps (pilot lamp, low-beam and high-beam), jewel-like, broken circle DRLs and fender- mounted LED indicators offering unmatched road presence, highest illumination and excellent night time visibility.
The Gurkha 2021 now comes with an airbag each for the driver and co-passenger. It is the only vehicle in this category with full metal top. All three passenger seats are ISOFIX-compatible seats. ABS and EBD is now offered as standard fitment.
Taking the rough with the smooth
The new Gurkha is powered by the 2.6-litre, 91bhp Mercedes-derived common-rail, direct injection, turbocharged diesel engine which develops 250 Nm at 1400-2400rpm. The company says the new Gurkha now has “ample power to cruise at triple-digit figures on the highways and sufficient low end torque to negotiate slopes of 35 degrees in 4x4 low first gear in the crawl mode, and also wade through streams of up to 700mm depth.”
The new powertrain meets BS VI norms using Lean NOX trap thereby eliminating the need for Ad Blue. The engine is mated to a five-speed Mercedes G-28 transmission with cable shift and the hydraulically activated clutch with booster that enable seamless gear changes. Turning circle radius of is 5.65m.
Now with a longer and wider body, the 2021 Gurkha offers what Force Motors claims is the roomiest cabin in its class with captain seats for all four occupants, best-in-class legroom, headroom and elbow room plus over 500 litres of boot space. The rear passenger seats with armrest are of the reclining type.
Gurkha 2021 is designed to be a capable off-roader with the air intake snorkel and manually operated, positive locking, mechanical differential locks on all four wheels being offered as a standard fitment.
According to Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors said, “Aligning with the changing customer expectations and aspirations, we have designed and developed the all-new Gurkha on a ground up, modular architecture platform and are confident that we shall now be able to appeal to a much wider audience who wish to own a vehicle that is suitable for both daily commutes as well as adventure trips.”
The inside story
Inside, the new Gurkha gets midnight black interiors equipped with Android and Apple Play-compatible touch-screen infotainment and navigation with true mirroring via USB. Charging ports are provided for all four occupants. It has a host of other convenience features offered for the first time on a Gurkha like steering column with tilt and telescopic adjustment, power windows, central locking, speed sensing door locks, rear parking sensors, single piece rear door with wipers, variable intermittent speed front wipers, tyre pressure monitoring system and cornering lamps.
The new Gurkha will be available in five colours: red, orange, green, grey and white. The pricing is to be announced on September 27 after which dealers will commence bookings. The vehicles are expected to reach the dealerships in the first week of October and the first deliveries to customers are planned on Dussehra day.
Initially the Gurkha will be available at select locations in key markets. Force Motors is offering a warranty of 150,000km / 3 years and four free services. Force Motors has also tied up with Auto Europa India, which has over 6,200 touch points for on road assistance.
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