Force Motors launches refreshed Gurkha SUV at Int’l Bus and UV Show

February 15, 2013: Force Motors has launched its refreshed Gurkha SUV at the International Bus and Utility Vehicle Show 2013 which opened in New Delhi today. The updated Gurkha is powered by Mercedes-Benz's 2.6-litre OM616-based diesel engine, which does duty in various other Force Motors products as well. The engine develops 81bhp at 3200rpm and 23.45kgm at 1800rpm, and comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Styling updates include a fresh front section with redesigned headlights and a new grille. It also comes with roof rails, and alloy wheels taken from the Force One SUV. There's also an improvement in quality as far as interiors are concerned.

The OM616-powered Gurkha is currently available only as a BS-III version, with a BS-IV variant expected later. Three variants are on offer: two soft-top six-seaters — one with 4WD and the other with 2WD — and a hard-top five seater with 4WD. The chief competitor to the Gurkha is the Mahindra Thar, which is available with a BS-III-compliant direct-injection diesel motor as well as a more powerful BS-IV CRDe unit.

The prices for the Force Gurkha are — Rs 8.5 lakh for the 4WD Hard Top, Rs 8.35 lakh for the 4WD Soft Top, and Rs 6.25 lakh for the 2WD Soft Top (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Force Motors display at the show is split into LCVs, SPVs (special purpose vehicles) and Personal Vehicles. The LCV section displays the recently launched Traveller 26 which Force Motors says is the sole 26-seater monocoque panel van in the world, and a school bus variant which meets the latest child safety regulations. There is also CNG Traveller CNG LCV designed as a customer relations/Metro-Feeder vehicle. This concept vehicle will seat 12 passengers comfortably in luxurious reclining seats.

The SPV section has vehicles for ready-to-use applications like a garbage tipper, jetting machine and de- silting machine for solid waste management that are used by municipal corporations and civic bodies. These are built on the proven Traveller Shaktiman and the Trump range of vehicles.