Force launches powerful Gurkha Xtreme SUV for Rs. 13 lakh
What's the story
Force Motors has updated its Gurkha line of SUVs with a more powerful trim designed for moderate to extreme off-roading - Gurkha Xtreme. The SUV brings slight design changes over existing Gurkha Xplorer and comes in 3-door and four-wheel drive configuration. It has been priced at Rs. 12.99 lakh (ex-showroom) in the country but will be rolled out in a phased manner. Here's more.
Mechanical upgrades
Gurkha Xtreme: More power under the hood
The biggest change with Gurkha Xtreme comes in the form of a Mercedes-sourced OM 611 diesel engine under the hood. This 2.2-liter four-cylinder motor has been tuned to produce 140bhp of power and 321Nm of peak torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, which has also been obtained from Mercedes. Other Gurkha models promise 85bhp of power with a 2.6-liter diesel engine.
Design changes
Design revamped with small but noticeable tweaks
On first look, Gurkha Xtreme looks similar to Xplorer, but the new SUV comes with LED indicators, round headlamps with grill, unlike its siblings. The off-roader also gets bigger, all-terrain tubeless tires and a heavy-duty steel bumper on the front and rear end. You can also see bold graphics and 'Xtreme' badging on the new vehicle along with bigger rear view mirrors and footboard.
Other changes
Other mechanical changes with Gurkha Xtreme
Gurkha Xtreme will also bring a new low-range transfer case and an option to fit hub locks on the front axle, which would increase mileage and reduce stress on the drivetrain of the vehicle, NDTV reported. In addition, the SUV also packs high strength C-in-C chassis and coil spring suspension for seamless handling and comfort even during extreme off-roading.
Information
Ability to tackle sticky, water-loaded regions
Notably, Gurkha Xtreme also features differential locks on both front and rear axles and an air intake snorkel for moving seamlessly through sticky and water-loaded regions.
Availability
When you will be able to buy Gurkha Xtreme
Gurkha Xtreme has been priced at Rs. 12.99 lakh, but the automaker has expressed plans of rolling it out slowly. "The Gurkha Xtreme is being introduced in a phased manner with the first lot of vehicles being delivered to select customers who have been waiting since long for this variant," Ashutosh Khosla, President of Sales at Force said at the launch.