Quote:
Originally Posted by Behemoth Interestingly, I just noticed you changed your avatar to a RIP- Gurkha image! You have a 1st Gen Gurkha and seem convinced that the new Gurkha is the end of the original design and they have dolled it up too much and converted a hard core offroader into a City toy!
What are your views on the things that they have improved/ Degraded?
Regards,
Behemoth |
Ah! Didn't look at that image that way. It was my last birthday cake!
I had a long conversation with a gentleman from the TAPL Rama Road Dealership in Delhi, about the new Gurkha.
He told me that the Black Gurkha (with Orange embellishments) that has done the rounds in the pictures, is NOT what is being offered. It was only a concept display, and as he acknowledged, a very badly done one at that! So, let us leave that particular specimen out of future conversations.
The ones, that are actually being offered, are the Green Hard-Top and the Red Soft-Top, although in a large number of color options. He also said that the Black Option is no longer a shiny black, but it is now Matt Finished.
He also acknowledged that they seem to have screwed up with the Soft-Top pricing and that is being escalated to the company via various dealers.
Now regarding the improvements:
1. The interiors (which a lot of you may find appalling) is actually a big step up from the older model's interiors. That said, you wouldn't REALLY want very nice interiors in a vehicle of this class, because you will end up ruining it within a few hard-core off-road outings. I think the interiors being offered now are FIT-FOR-PURPOSE.
2. The Round Headlights and Facia bring back some of the original character. The FRP fenders will break on the first outing though, so one must be prepared to install either dedicated off-roading fenders, or go back and get the older SS fenders. These ones are surprisingly resilient to hits, from my experience, although they cannot support a winch.
3. The reduced Diff Ratio will make highway cruising easier. Although this translates to a disadvantage in extreme off-road situations, it would make most consumers happier. I, on the other hand, am happier with my configuration on that count.
4. NVH has improved as well, it seems, from Dr. Mohan's test drive experience.
5. The reduced wheel size & the consequent decrease in GC will probably aid the majority of customers by improving the ride, but for extreme off-roaders, they would want to go back to a 31 inch size. Personally speaking, I run on 245/75/16 and find that pretty adequate for both off and on road.
6. The changes to the state of tune of the engine is something I can comment on, only after I have done a drive of the new one myself. Force Motors have another brilliant engine in their kitty, and the Gurkha engine bay can accommodate that engine as well. This is the 3250 FTI, which is a 5 cyl. version of the 2650 FTI. They should offer this as an option in the domestic market, since they do export this configuration outside of India.
In summary - I don't, yet, think that this is the end of the Gurkha, although Force Motors seem to be trying their best to kill it!