Force Motors Gurkha History

The Force Gurkha was launched in 2008 as a civilian spin-off of a platform developed during Indian Army trials in 1997, drawing heavy visual and mechanical inspiration from the Mercedes-Benz G-Class — the resemblance earning it the popular nickname "Indian G-Wagon." Early examples used a 2.6-litre Mercedes-Benz OM616 diesel engine and were sold as two-door hardtops emphasising durability over refinement.

A second-series update in 2013 repositioned the Gurkha as an "extreme off-road vehicle" with a turbocharged version of the same 2.6-litre diesel, while a third series in 2017 added BS-IV compliance and broadened the lineup with three distinct variants: the Xplorer (3-door and 5-door), the Xpedition (5-door with independent front / live rigid rear axle combination), and the Xtreme (3-door, with a 2.2-litre Mercedes-Benz OM611 engine producing approximately 140 hp and 321 Nm).

The fourth-generation Gurkha launched in October 2021 brought BS VI emissions compliance, a revised 2.6-litre common-rail diesel producing 90 hp and 250 Nm, locking front and rear differentials, a 700 mm water-wading depth, and a 5-door option as standard. The fourth-gen car represents the most refined Gurkha yet while retaining the body-on-frame construction and mechanical simplicity that define the nameplate.