Force is planning to introduce the larger 5-door model of the Gurkha in the Indian market. The brand is testing the 5-door Gurkha since a couple of years now. But, now the three-row model has reached the picturesque yet extreme terrain of Ladakh. The naturally difficult terrain with high altitude, low oxygen, rough roads, steep gradients and extreme weather conditions is a test bed for many manufacturers. The cars that successfully make it out from here are naturally capable of traversing other parts of the country, if not the world.
The brand has been testing camouflaged models of the 5-door Gurkha around Pune as well. The latest of which reveal minor changes to the doors. The version seen in spy shots from Ladakh is also similar to this, and speculation is that this could be the final iteration. This leads us to believe that the 5-door Gurkha is likely to arrive in showrooms later in 2024. Expect changes to the interiors such as Captain Seats and premium upholstery. However, mechanical changes, except the size are likely to be rare.
The 5-door Gurkha is likely to use the same engine as the 3-door version. The Force Gurkha 3-door comes with a Mercedes-Benz derived 2.6-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. The engine produces 91 Hp of power and 250 Nm of torque. The oil motor comes with a 5-speed manual synchromesh gearbox and four-wheel-drive with differential locks. The Gurkha also comes with an air intake snorkel offering exceptional water wading capabilities. In its 3-door avatar, the Gurkha measures 4116mm in length, 1812mm in width, 2075mm in height and comes with a wheelbase of 2400mm.
The 5-door model will have a longer wheelbase and overall length. However, the width of the SUV and height is likely to remain the same. Reports also suggest that the 5-door model is likely to use larger 18-inch alloy wheels instead of 16-inch wheels that come with the 3-door Gurkha. This is likely to improve the ground clearance and also increase the break-over angle that is reduced due to the extended wheelbase.
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Spyshot of 5-door Force Gurkha from Pune