This is one of India's home bred automobile manufacturers, which is famous for its multi utility vehicles, which is perfect for the needs of Indian as well as global customers. This company was founded way back in year, 1958 and has now been acquired by another Indian automaker Bajaj Auto Limited. At present, the company is selling only two model series, among which Force Gurkha is one of their fearsome and rugged SUV. This vehicle is giving a tough competition to the likes of Mahindra Scorpio, Mahindra Thar, Maruti Gypsy, Premier Rio, Tata Sumo and other such vehicles in its segments. It was first introduced into the country's car market in year, 2011 and since then have been doing impressive business for the company. It is available in quite a few variants, which are Soft Top BS3 2WD, Soft Top BS3 4WD and Hard Top BS3 4WD. It is being sold with the seating option of five or seven passengers for the buyers to choose from. All these trims are fitted with a power packed 2.6-litre turbocharged, inter cooled diesel engine, which comes with a displacement capacity of 2596cc. This diesel engine has the ability to generate 80.4bhp in combination with a maximum torque of 230Nm, which is quite sufficient for the Indian road and traffic conditions. It is mated with a smooth and proficient five speed manual transmission gear box, which distributes the engine power to its front two or four wheels, depending on the variants. Its braking and suspension mechanism are quite proficient, which keeps it well balanced at all times. The company has given this vehicle a large wheelbase along with decent ground clearance, which makes it capable for driving on every road conditions. Its handling is made easier with the help of a responsive power assisted steering system that is tilt adjustable as well. The company has given this vehicle a spacious internal cabin with a good seating arrangement. Its seats are quite wide and well cushioned, which provides ample leg room along with head space for all the occupants. These are integrated with head restraints and the company has covered it with fine quality fabric upholstery. The cabin is packed with a number of interesting aspects that adds to the convenience level. The interiors are made of high quality plastic material that gives it an appealing look. It has a stylish instrument panel on the well designed dashboard, which also includes a center console and air vents as well. Other aspects like power windows, air conditioning unit and a tilt steering wheel further adds to their convenience. Besides these, it is available with a few utility based aspects that turn out useful during the journey. Some of these include cup and bottle holders, driver under seat storage space, mobile charging points and a few others that adds to the convenience. It has a large fuel tank, which will help for planning longer journeys, while the luggage compartment is also quite spacious. On the other hand, this robust looking vehicle is designed with an aggressive body structure, which will certainly attract a lot of buyers. Its frontage is designed with a large radiator grille, which is flanked by a round shaped headlight cluster. While the wide bumper is well sculpted and painted in black color. The sides look attractive with stylish features like external mirrors and steel wheels with covers in the top end trim. Coming to its rear profile, it has a large boot lid with company's badge and a radiant tail light cluster that further adds to its appearance. This sports utility vehicle is currently offered in quite a few attractive body paint options for the customers to select from. Apart from all these aspects, this vehicle is blessed with a lot of crucial protective features that ensures security of its passengers and the vehicle as well. The list includes a digital immobilizer for preventing it from theft, child safety locks, dual front airbags, central locking system and a few other features that adds to the safety quotient. The company is offering this SUV with a standard warranty of three years or 100000 Kilometers, whichever is earlier. The customers can also avail an extended warranty at an additional cost paid to authorized dealer.
Exteriors
The company has done up the exteriors of this model series with utmost care and gives it a decent appearance. It is designed with a lot of striking features, which gives the vehicle a captivating look on the roads. To begin with the frontage, it is designed with a bold radiator grille that is fitted with a few black colored horizontal slats. It is embedded with a prominent company insignia in the center. This grille is flanked by a round shaped headlight cluster, which is incorporated with halogen based lamps and side turn indicator. Just below this, it has a black colored bumper, which looks quite aggressive. It houses a large air intake section for cooling the powerful engine quickly. This air dam is flanked by a couple of bright fog lamps that adds to the visibility, especially in the bad weather conditions. The bonnet is smooth and has character lines, which adds to the elegance of the frontage. The front windscreen is made up of laminated toughened glass and is equipped with a pair of intermittent wipers on it. Coming to its side profile, it is quite smooth and flowing with just a single door. Its door handles and outside rear view mirrors are finished in black color and are manually adjustable. The flared up wheel arches have been fitted with a set of modish light weight 16-inch alloy wheels, which are covered with sturdy tubeless radial tyres and they have a superior grip on any terrain. The sides also have sliding windows for the second row of seats. The black protective cladding prevents the vehicle from minor damages. Its rear end gets a large tail gate for easier entry and exit of the passengers and it is also fitted with a spare wheel, which is a standard feature. Then the bright tail lamp cluster is quite clear and radiant. The roof is hard and sturdy and has been fitted with a set of stylish black roof rails, which adds to the masculine appeal of this SUV. The black colored bumper is accompanied by a skid plate that helps in preventing the vehicle from damages. It is equipped with a couple of bright reflectors along with a courtesy lamp.
Exterior Measurements:
The overall dimensions are quite standard and makes it rather spacious for accommodating five or seven passengers with ease. Its overall length is about 3882mm along with an overall width of 1660mm, which also includes the outside rear view mirrors as well. Then the total height of this SUV is 2055mm (with roof rails) and it ensures enough head space for all passengers. Its roomy wheelbase measures about 2400mm. This SUV also has an impressive minimum ground clearance of 235mm, which makes it capable for dealing with terrains. The approximate kerb weight is 1460 kgs, which is quite good for this massive vehicle.
Interiors
Ed's take: The interiors of the Gurkha are plain and basic. It isn’t anything fancy, but it can accommodate four people with easy and it has a good music system too.
The insides of this massive SUV have been done up lavishly and has been equipped with a lot of refined aspects for the convenience of the passengers. The seats are plush with excellent space for all the passengers even on long drives. The seats are covered with premium quality upholstery and gives a very urbane feel to the interiors. Its cabin is designed in dual tone color scheme, which will augment its insides. The plastic surfaces seem to be smooth and are said to be made up of high quality plastic material, which will further enhance the looks of the insides. The dashboard is dark in color and equipped with quite a few features. These aspects are AC vents, a four spoke steering wheel, an instrument cluster and glove box for storing a few things at hand. This instrument cluster is bright and fitted with round dials of the speedometer, a tripmeter, a tachometer and several other notification and warning lamps. It provides all the vital information to the driver, which will in turn make the drive comfortable and hassle free. The driver seat can be adjusted in accordance with the requirement, which adds to the comfort level. Its tilt adjustable steering wheel is quite responsive and makes it easy to handle even in peak traffic conditions. The front driver and co-passenger also gets sun visors and there is also and internal rear view mirror as well along with a center arm rest for the front seats.
Interior Comfort:
For giving a pleasurable driving experience, the company has given it almost all necessary and utility based features. It is always been known for its superb off-roading capabilities. At the same time, the company has always done its best for giving more than adequate amounts of interior comfort features, which would leave no room for complaints. It is incorporated with a wide array of comfort features, which includes cup and bottle holders, power steering with tilt adjustable function, sleek digital clock with topper pad, side and rear foot steps, rear window demister and a few other such aspects. The advanced instrument panel is equipped with a number of useful information like inside and outside temperature, instant mileage, date, time and so on for keeping the driver updated. It is equipped with a proficient air conditioner unit with heater and ventilation, which will have the ability to cool the entire in cabin space within a short span of time. The dashboard also has round shaped air conditioner vents and other features, which will add to the comfort of the driver. This SUV is provided with ample amounts of space in all the cabins for bringing in a mesmerizing interior comfort. The company has given its high end version with an advanced 2-DIN music system, which is integrated in center console. It allows the passengers to listen to their favorite music and enjoy their journey. The driver's seat has height adjustment facility, while the second row seat is reclining and comes with 60:40 split folding facility.
Interior Measurements:
This three door sports utility vehicle series has liberal interior space and can take in five passengers in it with ease. The interior space allows all the occupants to get ample leg room along with pertinent head and shoulder space as well. For planning a longer journey, the company has given it a large fuel tank, which can store about 63 litres of diesel in it.
![Force Gurkha Gear]( "Force Gurkha Gear")
Acceleration & Pick-Up
Ed's take: The acceleration produced by the Gurkha is good, and the best bit as that torque is available throughout the rev range, which makes it easier to off-road as well.
With the help of a five speed manual transmission gear box, this motor enables the vehicle to attain a top speed in the range of 130 to 140 Kmph. At the same time, it can cross the speed barrier of 100 Kmph in close to 17 seconds from a standstill.
Engine and Performance
Ed's take: The engine on the Gurkha has good torque and it is easy to pull it even when stuck badly during an off-road situation. It has differential locks too.
All the variants of this model series are fitted with a 2.6-litre, intercooled diesel engine, which comes with a displacement capacity of 2596cc. It is compliant with Bharat Stage III emission standard. It comes with turbocharger, which enables it to churn out a maximum power of 80.4bhp at 3200rpm in combination with a peak torque output of 230Nm between 1800 to 2000rpm. It is integrated with four cylinders and sixteen valves using double overhead camshaft based valve configuration. This power plant is integrated with a direct injection fuel supply system that helps in delivering a decent performance. This diesel motor is skilfully coupled with a five speed manual transmission gear box. It distributes the engine power to its two or four wheels, depending on the variants. At the same time, it gets single plate dry friction hydraulically actuated clutch.
Mileage
Ed's take: The Gurkha has a 2.6-litre diesel engine that is economical and frugal too.
The 2.6-litre diesel engine is compliant with all the norms of Bharat Stage III and incorporated with a common rail based direct injection fuel supply system. It can generate a maximum of 15 Kmpl approximately on the highways and about 10.5 Kmpl in the city traffic conditions.
Power of Force Gurkha
Ed's take: Now, the power ratings of the Gurkha aren’t great on paper, but it is fine in the real world.
This diesel engine has the ability of churning out a maximum power of 80.4bhp at 3200rpm in combination with a peak torque output of 230Nm in the range of 1800 to 2000rpm.
Braking & Handling
Ed's take: The handling on the on-road isn’t very important, but it does a good job. The ride too is pliant.
The company has given this sports utility vehicle an efficient braking mechanism along with reliable suspension system, which keeps it well balanced and stable. It is bestowed with a dual circuit vacuum assisted hydraulic service brakes that are quite reliable. The front wheels are fitted with a robust set of disc brakes along with a twin pot caliper. While the rear ones are equipped with a set of drum brakes. It is further assisted by adjusting type LCRV with auto wear adjuster. On the other hand, it has a proficient suspension system that keeps this massive vehicle under the control of the driver. The company has used an independent with solid torsion bar for its front axle, while the rear one is assembled with a semi elliptical leaf spring type of system. These axles are assisted by hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers and anti roll bar, which will help it to deal with all the jerks caused on uneven roads. The internal cabin is blessed with a tubular ladder type based power assisted steering system. It is quite responsive and reduces the efforts of driver even during heavy traffic conditions. This tilt adjustable steering wheel supports a minimum turning radius of 5.8 meters, which is quite good for this class.
Safety & Security
Ed's take: The handling of the Gurkha is just ok and it doesn’t have any airbags for extra safety. It has been designed to be driven off-road and it does that job well.
When it comes to its safety aspects, the company has made sure that vehicle comes equipped with numerous vital and essential safety features, which gives the occupants a stress free driving experience. Its rigid body structure comes with impact beams and crumple zones, which reduces the impact of collision. It is also blessed with a pair of bright fog lamps as well in its front bumper. This enables the driver to get a better view of the road in bad weather conditions as well. The company has also integrated an advanced digital engine immobilizer that safeguards this vehicle from any unauthorized entry and theft. Then there are seat belts for all occupants, a rear wash and wipe function, a day and night internal rear view mirror, a centrally located fuel tank, a high mounted stop lamp, a set of wipers in front windscreen and several other aspects.
Wheels
The flared up wheel arches of 2WD variant are fitted with a sturdy set of 16-inch steel wheels, which have been covered with high performance tubeless radial tyres. These rims are further covered with high performance tubeless radial tyres of size 235/70 R16, which provides sufficient grip on any road conditions. While other variants have been equipped with a classy set of the same size alloy wheel, which enhances the look of its side profile. These rims are covered with 245/70 R16 size tubeless radial tyres. For changing a flat tyre, the company has given it given it a full size spare wheel with all other required tools. It is a standard feature across all the variants.
Pros
1. Four wheel drive option enhances its ability to deal with any road conditions.
2. High ground clearance makes it capable for dealing with terrains.
3. Price range is quite reasonable.
4. Engine is powerful yet fuel efficient.
5. Rigid body structure is a big plus point.
Cons
1. Engine noise, vibration and harshness can be reduced.
2. Can be upgraded to BSIV emission norms.
3. Lack of essential safety features is a big minus.
4. Exterior appearance is not so attractive.
5. Many more comfort features can be added.
Force Gurkha price
Xpedition
(Diesel) | 8.2 Lakh | 8.2 Lakh | 8.2 Lakh | 8.2 Lakh | 8.2 Lakh | 8.2 Lakh | 8.2 Lakh |
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Xplorer
(Diesel) | 9.36 Lakh | 9.36 Lakh | 9.36 Lakh | 9.36 Lakh | 9.36 Lakh | 9.36 Lakh | 9.36 Lakh |
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