Force Gurkha 5-door Spied Being Readied For Exports Before Being Launched In India

• Five-door, seven-seater versions of the Gurkha have been spied. 

• To be sold as the Republik Motor Ksatria in Indonesia, pickup version to also be offered. 

• India-spec model to be offered with six to nine-seater layouts. 

• Will be powered by a 2.6-litre diesel engine paired with a manual gearbox and 4x4 system. 

• Prices expected to start at Rs 16 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Force Motors has already started manufacturing the Gurkha 5-door for export markets like Indonesia even before its launch in India, as evidenced by a pair of the long-wheelbase units that have been spied. The Indonesia-bound SUVs will eventually be rebadged as the Republik Motor Ksatriya, but for now, they give us a preview of the upcoming India-spec model that’s set to be launched in the country soon.

Gurkha five-door aesthetics 

Apart from its extra set of doors and smaller last row windows, the elongated Force Gurkha looks similar to the existing three-door model. Its front-end styling is almost indistinguishable from the three-door Gurkha with its snorkel air intake, circular LED headlights and boxy black plastic bumper. However, it does get a distinct set of five-split spoke alloy wheels for its unique appeal.

Previous spy shots have revealed that it’ll get a similar interior as the existing SUV. The sparse features list includes a 7-inch touchscreen, power windows (for the second row as well), manual AC and dual front airbags.

Force Gurkha to get multiple seating options 

The five-door Gurkha will get a third row of seating with the option of jump seats or captain seats. In the second row, you’ll be able to get either a bench seat or a pair of captain seats. Thus, the Gurkha will be offered in six to nine-seater configurations, higher than the upcoming five-door Mahindra Thar and Maruti Jimny.

Similar powertrain as three-door SUV 

The five-row SUV will get the same 2.6-litre diesel engine that makes 91PS and 250Nm in the standard three-door Gurkha, albeit probably with a bit more gusto. It’ll be paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, capable of sending power to all four wheels via a low-range transfer case and manually locking front and rear differentials.

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The Force Gurkha five-door is expected to be priced from Rs 16 lakh onwards (ex-showroom). It’ll rival the existing Mahindra Thar, but its more direct rivals, the aforementioned Jimny and five-door Thar, are expected to be launched in early 2023.

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