Indian G-Class wannabe gets a five-door version

Indian automaker Force Motors has complemented its Gurkha SUV lineup with a new five-door body version. The cheap off-roader went into a new generation three years ago, but didn’t have a long-wheelbase version until now.

The new model is 4,390 mm (171.5 inches) long with 425 mm (16.6 inches) of extra wheelbase length, for a total of 2,825 mm (110.35 inches). It commands respectable 233 mm (9.1 inches) of ground clearance and benefits from more up-to-date headlights, although they still look like round retro headlamps.

Inside, there is an infotainment system with a 9-inch display (previously capped at 7 inches), Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support and a reversing camera. For the first time on record, a digital dashboard is available, and Force Motors claims the trimming materials have been improved across the board.

The new Gurkha ships with only one engine – a 2.6-liter diesel licensed from Mercedes-Benz. It outputs 140 PS (138 hp / 103 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft). The three-door version used to be available with a 91-PS (90-hp / 67-kW) engine, but it was discontinued. The transmission is five-speed manual and sends the momentum to all four wheels via inter-wheel differentials. Despite its low price, the Gurkha is a serious body-on-frame off-road machine that ships with a snorkel pipe and 18-inch wheels shod in mud tires.

Sales in India will begin soon.