The new test mule could be Force Gurkha base variant to strike an attractive base price and boost sales against Thar and Jimny
India has been obsessing on SUVs and this genre has emerged as a popular one. OEMs are launching vehicles marketed as SUVs to cater to this segment. Amidst this trend, there are a few real lifestyle SUVs on sale in India too. These include Thar and Thar Roxx from Mahindra, Jimny from Maruti Suzuki and Gurkha from Force Motors.
Recent spy shots of a Force Gurkha test mule have sparked quite an interest. It looks like a new base variant for this lifestyle SUV. Currently, 2024 Gurkha is only offered in one fully loaded trim level in both 3-Door and 5-Door layouts. A new base variant could prove beneficial to push sales envelope for Force Motors. Let’s take a closer look.
Force Gurkha Base Variant
Both Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki offer their SUVs in multiple variants, thus striking an attractive base price. For context, Thar starts from Rs 11.35 lakh, Jimny from Rs 12.74 lakh and Thar Roxx from Rs 12.99 lakh (all prices Ex-sh). In comparison, a fully loaded 3-Door Gurkha costs Rs 16.75 lakh (Ex-sh) and 5-Door Gurkha Rs 18 lakh (Ex-sh).
Even though Gurkha only comes fully loaded, there are many who tend to gravitate towards the base model. The general thought process here is to buy a bare-bones off-roader on a budget and then spec-up the vehicle with accessories according to needs and requirements. This also strikes lower up-front buying costs.
Looking at the spy shots credited to automotive enthusiast Abhilash K who spotted it on Mumbai-Pune Expressway, we can see Force has not cut a lot of corners. For starters, it still gets the same LED headlights with circular LED DRLs along with the fender-mounted LED turn indicators, lending it that Mercedes G-Class look.
However, the headlight housing along with front grill and bumpers have been left unpainted. Visually, it works and lends Gurkha a mean look, especially with the GURKHA lettering on the grill. Snorkel is also retained on this vehicle and so are the 18-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, there is no spare wheel on the tailgate.
New basic interiors?
The main changes are likely to be on the inside. These spy shots do not show Force Gurkha affordable variant’s interiors. One can speculate that it will get a few basic amenities like the power windows, remote locking, basic instrument cluster, tilt adjustable steering and miss out on audio system and speakers, among others.
Under the bonnet, we don’t expect any changes to Gurkha’s base variant. It is highly likely to get the same 2.6L Turbo Diesel engine with 138 bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 5-speed gearbox, a 4X4 transfer case and front and rear locking differentials for excellent off-road prowess. Launch could happen by the end of 2025.
