Pune based automotive major Force Motors unveiled a new avatar of Gurkha on its social media platforms on September 15.
The vehicles are expected to reach the dealerships in the first week of October and the first deliveries to customers are planned on the day of Dussehra festival.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, “Aligning with the changing customer expectations and aspirations, we have designed and developed the All-New Gurkha on a ground up, modular architecture platform and are confident that we shall now be able to appeal to a much wider audience who wish to own a vehicle that is suitable for both daily commutes as well as adventure trips.”
The Gurkha 2021, said a press release, is built on a ground-up modular architecture platform with an all new wider and longer body, full new interiors, a new crash compliant, high strength C-in-C chassis and new coil spring suspension on all four wheels. The only carry over from the previous generation Gurkha is the Mercedes G-Wagen inspired looks and imposing stance, it said.
The branding of the all-new Gurkha has also undergone a major change with Gurkha logo replacing the F-Logo on the front grill. On the sides a new mnemonic is added signifying its all-terrain and all-weather capability across mountains, rivers, deserts and jungles in all four seasons.
The khukri on the brand logo has been moved from the left to the right and aligned at the same angle as the air intake snorkel, in line with the new, more contemporary and aesthetic brand identity, said the release.
Gurkha 2021, said the release, is the only vehicle in its class that features full LED Force Pro Edge headlamps, broken circle DRLs and fender mounted LED indicators.
The vehicle comes with air bag for driver and co-passenger. It is the only vehicle in this category with full metal top, offering best-in-class security and safety.
The new 2.6 litre 91bhp Mercedes-derived common rail, direct injection, turbocharged diesel engine has ample power to cruise at triple digit figures on highways and sufficient low-end torque (250Nm @1400 – 2400 rpm) to negotiate slopes of 35 degrees in 4×4 low first gear in the crawl mode, and also wade through streams of up to 700mm depth.
According to the release, the longer and wider body enables Gurkha 2021 to offer the roomiest cabin in its class with captain seats for all four occupants, best-in-class leg room, head room and elbow room plus over 500 litres of boot space.