New entry
The ranks of the lifestyle SUV will get a major jolt this year in the form of the five-door Mahindra Thar but that’s in August and the first rumblings will take place next month in the form of the much anticipated five-door Force Gurkha.
After being spotted on test for almost four years now, it will finally arrive and there is expected to be a lot riding on its extended shoulders. The overall design will stay true to the Gurkha styling language but we expect a slightly tweaked exterior design and more importantly, a new interior to match the pricing it will jump into. The current three-door car is priced at Rs 15.10 lakh and we expect this one to be priced around Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom).
Engine and specifications
Like its three-door sibling, it will make use of the 2.2-litre diesel that currently produces 90bhp/250Nm and can be had only with a five-speed manual gearbox. A full four-wheel drive system with locking diffs is expected to be standard as this is one of the USPs of the car. However, we expect that the engine will get a bump in power to match its segment rivals.
Challenges for the car
As a basic ‘lifestyle’ package, the Gurkha has it covered, high stance, big wheels, a four-wheel drive package and a diesel engine. It now needs to up its game by having more comfort features, higher quality, and better ergonomics, something that the Jimny already has and we know the five-door Thar will also have once it is launched. The five-door Force Gurkha will be revealed at the end of April and we expect prices and arrival of the car in showrooms by the middle of May of this year.