Force Motors developing Gurkha 4x2 to take on Mahindra Thar RWD

The new Gurkha 4x2 will be more affordable than the 4x4 variant.

According to a media report, Force Motors is developing a 4x2 variant of the Gurkha. It is expected to be based on the 3-door version of the off-roader and will lock horns with the Mahindra Thar RWD.

The new Gurkha 4x2 will be more affordable than the 4x4 variant, which comes equipped with additional hardware like differential locks and a manual transfer case. The overall design and feature list though, will be similar to that of the 4x4 variant.

Reports suggest that the Gurkha 4x2 will be powered by the same 2.6-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that makes 138 BHP and 320 Nm. It will be paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

It also means that the Gurkha 4x2 will not qualify for the tax concessions available for the compact class, wherein the maximum displacement of diesel engines is capped at 1,500cc. The Thar RWD does benefit from this, and as a result, Mahindra has been able to price it aggressively.