How powerful is the new 5-Door Gurkha off-roader

Whenever off-roading SUVs are discussed, the name of Force Gurkha is prominently mentioned. Force Motors is a veteran vehicle manufacturing company that produces vans such as Tempo, Trax, Traveler, and Urbania.

In addition, the company is known for assembling Mercedes cars and engines in India. In 2008, Force Motors made its entry into the world of SUVs with the compact 3-door Gurkha.

Soon after, in the off-roading SUV segment, the Force Gurkha started giving tough competition to the Mahindra Thar. Now, the company is soon going to unveil the updated version, the Force Gurkha 5-Door.

However, prior to this, Force Motors had invited the DriveSpark team to Goa to drive the new Force Gurkha 5-Door, where we had the opportunity to test drive this off-roader SUV and gather detailed information about all aspects related to this new SUV for you.

Design and Specifications of the Force Gurkha 5-Door: When it comes to design, the design of the 5-Door SUV closely resembles that of the Gurkha 3-Door. A second set of doors has been added to the sides of the new Gurkha.

It looks almost identical to the SUV we first saw in 2021. The new Force Gurkha 5 Door still takes inspiration from the G-Wagen. However, there are some cosmetic updates to notice.

Speaking of updates in the Force Gurkha 5 Door, this SUV now features a new set of all-LED headlights with integrated round DRLs. Additionally, a two-slat grille with the Gurkha name tag placed on it is added to the corners of the lights.

In addition, cornering lights have been installed on the front bumper for extra lighting. The side-mounted snorkel air intake adds to the visual appeal, along with new attractive 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with all-terrain (255/65 R18) tires.

The new Gurkha will also feature a significantly longer wheelbase compared to the 3-door version. Now, in the 5-door Gurkha, a total of seven people can sit including the driver, whereas the three-door model with captain seats can accommodate only four people.

Force has shifted the second row of captain seats in the new Gurkha to the rear side of the SUV, allowing for seating three passengers in the middle row. Overall, the seating arrangement inside the SUV is well-organized.

However, taller individuals may have to struggle a bit with leg space, and they may not be entirely comfortable with the rear wheels. Nevertheless, the seats in the Force Gurkha 5 Door are quite comfortable for travel.

Additionally, the cabin of the Force Gurkha 5 Door has been updated. A 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system has been provided at the center of the car, supporting both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Furthermore, behind the tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, another display has been added, providing the driver with all the details about the new Gurkha. In the digital driver display, you can view essential information such as speed, fuel level, and tire pressure.

In the SUV's central tunnel, a significant change is seen in the gear stick. Instead of a second gear stick for the transfer case, you get a dial that allows the driver to electronically shift between 2 High, 4 Low, and 4 High immediately.

Talking about safety features, the new Force Gurkha comes standard with ABS and EBD, along with two airbags. Additionally, it features a TPMS system that is connected to the driver's display.

Force Gurkha 5 Door Dimensions and Powertrain: The new Force Gurkha 5 Door is considerably longer than the 3-door Gurkha. Speaking of dimensions, the new 5-door Gurkha is 4,390 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, and 2,095 mm tall.

Similarly, its wheelbase length is 2,825 mm. In comparison, the 3-door Gurkha measures 3,965 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 2,080 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,400 mm.

The 3-door Gurkha is approximately 15 mm shorter and 425 mm less in length compared to its new larger sibling. The weight of the new Force Gurkha 5 Door is 3,125 kilograms, compared to the 2,800 kilograms of the 3-door version. The turning radius of the new Gurkha is now 6.3 meters.

As for the powertrain, both the new Gurkha variants are equipped with a Mercedes-sourced 2.6-liter OM616 turbocharged diesel engine, which produces 138bhp of power at 3,200rpm and a peak torque of 320Nm between 1,400 and 2,600rpm.

However, with the OM616 Mercedes engine in the new Gurkha, both power and torque have significantly increased. The power output in the new Gurkha has increased by approximately 49bhp, while the torque output has increased by 70Nm. The engine is still paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drive.

Driving Impressions of the Force Gurkha 5 Door: During our drive, we found that despite the extra power of the new Gurkha, due to the additional weight and a very low redline of 3,500rpm, the SUV cannot be considered an overtaking expert.

For such a heavy and bulky vehicle, acceleration is somewhat decent, but if you want to reach high speeds quickly, then this SUV is not for you.

During driving, the steering feels light, although the slightly soft suspension setup, due to the heavy body roll, can make sharp turns a bit wobbly.

However, when you venture off-road and tackle dirt trails outdoors, these issues become less noticeable. The Gurkha was designed as an off-roader, and it excels in giving that SUV feel.

You can enjoy off-roading with the new Gurkha thanks to its high ground clearance (233mm), live front (independent) and rear (rigid) axles, coil spring suspension, and all-terrain tires, even in large potholes.

DriveSpark Hindi's view on the 2024 Force Gurkha: With the new door setup, the Force Gurkha 5-Door model has become slightly more practical. Now, it is giving tough competition to the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and the upcoming 5-Door Mahindra Thar in its segment.

With the new Gurkha 5-Door model, you can easily travel on challenging roads and mountains. With the extra doors and seats, you can now enjoy off-roading with your family in the Gurkha SUV.

Source: https://hindi.drivespark.com/car-reviews/force-gurkha-5-door-review-check-performance-features-powertrain-details-in-hindi-026699.html