Force Gurkha 5 door to get 7 seat layout

In the run up to the launch of the Force Gurkha 5-door, new details regarding the upcoming SUV's interiors have surfaced: it has a seven-seater layout.

1. Gurkha 5-door to get multiple seating configurations
2. To get larger touchscreen infotainment and front centre armrest
3. To get shift-on-the-fly 4WD knob positioned next to the driver’s seat

Force Gurkha 5 door interior highlights

As we’ve reported earlier, the Gurkha 5-door has been spotted testing in three different configurations: five-seater two row; six-seater three-row; and seven-seater three row. The second row will get a bench seat, while the third row gets captain chairs with individual armrests. Access to the third row will be from the rear door, which has a spare wheel mounted on it.

In addition, the Gurkha 3-door will be making its return – it was taken off the shelves due to the BS6 Phase II emissions norms – with a longer equipment list. Spy shots have shown a front centre armrest and a large infotainment touchscreen.

One of the bigger changes seen in the 5-door is that it now gets a shift-on-the-fly 4WD knob that's positioned next to the driver’s seat on the centre console. The 3-door Gurkha had separate front and rear diff-lock levers and a manually operated transfer case. Whether this change will be seen on the upcoming Gurkha 3-door is still to be confirmed.

Force Gurkha 5 door exterior, powertrain

Force Motors has already sent out teasers of the updated Gurkha, showcasing that the 3-door and 5-door will look quite similar overall, but get unique touches. Additionally, spy shots and teasers also showed new alloy wheel designs with Ceat Czat H/T rubber; these tyres are currently only offered as 215/75 R15s.

The Indian brand has yet to reveal the exact specifications of the updated Gurkha, though the Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre diesel engine and the 5-speed manual transmission is expected to continue.

Force Gurkha 5 door price, rivals

When it launches in the coming weeks, the Gurkha 5-door will only see competition from the Maruti Jimny (Rs 12.74 lakh-14.79 lakh); it is the only other 5-door lifestyle SUV currently on sale in the mass market. However, the Mahindra Thar 5-door, which may come with the Thar Armada moniker, is another competitor that will arrive by the middle of this year with an expected price of Rs 16 lakh, ex-showroom.