Force Motors is set to launch a rear-wheel drive variant of the recently launched 2024 Gurkha lifestyle SUV. The Gurkha 4×2 will be offered solely in the 3-door body style for now, with the larger 5-door model set to carry on as a 4×4-only.
Also read: 2024 Force Gurkha 3-Door & 5-Door Models Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 16.75 Lakh
Also read: Force Gurkha 3-Door: Old vs New – What’s Different?
As per a type approval document that has surfaced online, the Gurkha 4×2 will use the same engine as the 4×4 model – the 2.6-litre, four-cylinder diesel mill pushing out 138 bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque. Power will be sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Force Motors is unlikely to make styling changes, and the document mentions the 4×2 model will retain the 4-seat cabin layout of the current 4×4 model. It remains to be seen if Force Motors will make any changes to the equipment list for the 4×2 model aside from dropping the 4×4 hardware. In terms of design, don’t expect any notable changes to the exterior with Force Motors only likely to make some soft changes such as deleting the 4x4x4 badging and offering different wheels.
Also read: 2024 Force Gurkha Review: Has It Caught Up To The Thar?
With the deletion of the 4×4 hardware, expect the Gurkha 4×2 to be notably more affordable than the Gurkha 3-door 4×4. The Gurkha 3-door 4×4 is priced at Rs 16.75 lakh (ex-showroom).
Styling changes are likely to be minor with one being the deletion of the 4x4x4 badge.
In terms of competition, the Gurkha 4×2 will go up against the Mahindra Thar RWD, though it will be significantly pricier as it is not likely to receive any excise benefits despite sitting under the 4-metre mark. The Thar qualifies for the benefits as its 1.5 diesel engine meets the displacement criteria (1.5 litres for diesel engines) for a vehicle in the sub-4 metre space – a requirement the Gurkha cannot meet.
