Army-spec Force Gurkha SUV open top version spotted testing [video]

Pune-based vehicle manufacturer Force Motors offers the Gurkha 4×4 SUV in the market. It is a hardcore off-road SUV that competes with the likes of Mahindra Thar and the recently launched Maruti Suzuki Jimny 4×4. Earlier this year, we came across images of a 5-door version of the Gurkha SUV on a test. It looks like, along with the 5-door version, Force is also working on a 5-door version of the Gurkha for the Army. Force did offer their Gurkha to the armed forces; however, it was soon replaced by other manufacturers. We recently came across a video online where an Army-spec Force Gurkha 4×4 with an open top was spotted testing.

The video has been shared by Bunny Punia on his YouTube channel. The test vehicle was spotted on a highway, and unlike other car manufacturers, the Gurkha did not disguise the SUV with any camouflage. The SUV was being tested on a straight expressway or highway in North India. We can clearly see that the exterior design of the Army-spec Gurkha is different from the one available to the public. The front-end is actually similar to the older version of Gurkha that was available in the market.

The front bumper is completely missing, and we can see a metal bar at the front. Just above the registration plate, there is a cloth covering an equipment. Our guess is that it is probably a winch to help the SUV get out from tricky situations. The snorkel is missing; however, there is a small vent on the fender which can be used to install a snorkel. The fender flares are more angular and different from the civilian version.

Coming to the side profile, the wheelbase of this Gurkha looks longer than the regular 3-door version. This could mean that this version could be based on the upcoming 5-door version. There are absolutely no doors, and the roof is also missing. The SUV gets steel rims and thick-profile tyres. There is no canvas covering the top. We do see a shovel, and there is a metal bar on which the canvas or the soft top of the SUV can be clipped if needed.

The video also shows the rear seats. Surprisingly, they were facing backward. There was seating for two occupants. The Army might make changes to the seats as per their needs. As of now, the video mentions that there was enough space at the back after the seat to accommodate a stretcher. The Army might use it as an ambulance to transport injured personnel in the field. The vehicle does look production-ready. It feels like the manufacturer was probably testing some components that they might have added to the vehicle.

The Force Gurkha seen here in the video is expected to be powered by the same engine as the 3-door version. Whether the engine will be tuned for the Army, we don’t know. The 3-door version available for civilian use features a 2.6-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine that generates 90 PS and 250 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and comes with a 4×4 system as standard. We did see multiple versions of the Gurkha 5-door version on test, but currently, there is no information available regarding the launch timeline.