Force Gurkha 5-door: new spy shots show different 4WD gear, front styling

Force has been testing the 5-door Gurkha for a long time, with test mules being spotted across the country in various pre-production stages. Today's sighting of the upcoming Gurkha 5-door SUV shows some new and interesting details, especially of the SUV's looks and 4WD gear.

1. Square headlamps replace round units
2. 4WD knob between front seats instead of transfer case
3. Unique 7-seat layout visible

Force Gurkha 5-door: Citiline-like front design

We spotted this test mule on the outskirts of Pune, and while it looks quite similar to the ones spotted earlier, there are a few differences. Firstly, this vehicle has a different styling up front, with square headlamps that's similar to the Force Citiline MUV, instead of the circular units available on the 3-door Gurkha and as seen on previous test mules. However, the two-slat grille is similar to what's seen on the 3-door version.

Although the front bumper is covered on this test mule, we expect it to be similar to the Citiline as well. The ground clearance, 18-inch alloy wheel design and the presence of a snorkel are similar to what we've seen before.

Force Gurkha 5-door: 7 seat layout

On the inside, Force seems to be trying out multiple seating layouts for the Gurkha 5-door. There have been sightings of a 5-seater two-row version, a 6-seater three-row version and, as visible in these images, a 7-seater three-row iteration with two individual captain's chairs for the third row and a bench seat for the second row. As seen before, the test mule carries the same rudimentary dashboard from the 3-door model, albeit without the touchscreen infotainment system.

Force Gurkha 5-door: different 4WD gear

Additionally, the test mule seems to have a different version of Force's 4WD gear. The standard Gurkha 3-door and the 5-door test mules spotted thus far have similar off-road tech that works via a manually operated transfer case positioned behind the gear lever. These also came with front and rear diff-locks, which were separate levers positioned ahead of the gear lever. In the latest spy shots, one can see that it does not have diff-locks, but it does get a shift-on-the-fly 4WD knob positioned right next to the driver's seat on the centre console.

The 5-door Gurkha will come with the same Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre diesel engine that does duty on the Gurkha 3-door, and a five-speed manual will be the only gearbox on offer.

Force Gurkha 5-door launch timeline

There are chances of the updated Gurkha going on sale in the coming months, although there's no official confirmation yet. Force Motors is also testing a four-door pick up truck body style of the Gurkha. Read more on that here.