Unveiled at 2020 Auto Expo, Force Gurkha BS6 has started reaching dealerships
Pune-based Force Motors may have plans to launch Gurkha BS6 as soon as possible since its primary rival Mahindra Thar has already been unveiled in its next-gen avatar. Mahindra seems to have chosen the dates wisely for Thar, with the unveil coinciding with India’s Independence Day and the launch coinciding with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Force Motors can launch Gurkha BS6 at around the same time of even before that to get the first-mover advantage. Production of the new and updated Gurkha SUV has started at company plant. As per sales data, a total of 18 units of Force Gurkha were manufactured last month, which were later dispatched to dealers across India.
Gurkha BS6 design upgrades
Force Gurkha BS6 comes with a range of exterior upgrades, even though the core design philosophy has been retained. For example, the front fascia has been refreshed with new grille, fog lamp housing and front bumper. In terms of functionality, the headlamps have been updated with LED lights and LED DRLs. All these changes make the new Gurkha more attractive in comparison to its predecessor.
Changes on the sides include a single glass rear window that replaces the earlier dual-pane window. This again works to enhance the looks of Gurkha BS6. With the bigger side window, passengers are also expected to get a better view of the surroundings. At the rear, updates include a refreshed windshield and tailgate-mounted spare wheel.
As showcased at 2020 Auto Expo, Gurkha BS6 will also be offering a range of off-road accessories. These will include things like auxiliary lamps, heavy duty winch, bull-bar, skid plates, snorkel, and luggage rack.
On the inside, Gurkha BS6 gets a redesigned dashboard, enhanced dual-tone colour theme, and a new touchscreen infotainment system. Apart from these, there are no other major changes on the inside of Gurkha BS6. The focus continues to be utilitarian, as Gurkha’s prospective customers are more interested in a vehicle that can provide hard-core off-roading capabilities at competitive rates.
Gurkha BS6 engine
New Force Gurkha will be using the same 2.6-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel unit as that of its predecessor. The only difference is that it has been updated to comply with BS6 emission norms. The updated BS6 engine is capable of generating 90 ps of max power and 280 Nm of max torque. It is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. A 4×4 option with low-ratio transfer case will be made available for serious off-road enthusiasts.
Although the list of features is longer with next-gen Thar, Gurkha BS6 continues to focus on its off-roading capabilities. We shall know in the coming months which vehicle emerges as the preferred off-roader in the country.
