Force Gurkha long wheelbase version will be a perfect companion for group adventures
Recently, we came across images of an RTO-registered Force Motors’ SUV whose overall silhouette looked like the Force Trax long wheelbase people mover while the aesthetics looked like the upcoming 5-door Gurkha currently on tests undisguised.
When we checked the RTO details, we came to know that the car has been registered in the name of Force Motors Ltd and just over a month old. Interestingly, the manufacturer has registered it as the Trax Cruiser in Snow White shade with a seating capacity of 10.
But, what’s in pictures no way resembles what the RTO records state. Even if Force Motors had modified the Trax Cruiser post registration, the modification endorsement is not to be seen. Maybe, it might be in application.
So, what can be nearly concluded here is that the spotted SUV is not a private car but a proper test mule that might have been registered by Force Motors as the Trax Cruiser to bypass the lengthy processes of getting it registered actually as a test mule.
From the first glimpse, we feel the SUV looks super cool and miles apart from the ugly Trax Cruiser. Despite the long wheelbase and lengthy dimensions, the car is proportionate. The Glossy Green paint shade brings some level of premiumness.
The highlights are, however, the alloy wheels with a new set of knobby Maxxis tyres. The design of the alloy wheels is same as what’s seen on the 5-door test mule spotted a little earlier.
Rest of the design aspects especially at the front are same as the current short wheelbase Gurkha. There’s a windshield guard upfront housing all the roof lights and dedicated roof rails on top.
There’s also a snorkel for better water wading ability. While the current Gurkha has a wheelbase of 2400 mm, this long wheelbase model might have the wheelbase of 3050 mm as the Trax Cruiser.
On the other hand, the upcoming 5-door Gurkha spotted earlier might have the wheelbase of 2750 mm, same the now-discontinued 5-door Force Gurkha Xplorer and Xpedition editions.
When launched, this long wheelbase Gurkha will be great companion for extreme adventure tourers as they can nearly transform this offroader as a second home. That’s the level of space on offer inside!
It will also be a prefect weapon for group adventures, the trend that’s slowly becoming popular across the globe. This is the same reason why Land Rover has developed the long wheelbase Defender 130.
Also, this has come at a time when Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki are still developing the 5 door versions of their Thar and Jimny respectively with no launch in sight at least this year.
In the current short wheelbase avatar, the Gurkha’s FM 2.6 CR CD BS VI 4-cylinder diesel engine churns out 91 HP at 3200 RPM and 250 Nm between 1400 and 2400 RPM. It’s mated to a 5-speed synchromesh gearbox.
While there’s live independent axle at the front, the rear gets live rigid axle. Both the axles get manual differential locks. The front gets independent double wishbone with coil spring suspension while the rear gets multi-link with pan hard rod and coil springs.
