According to a report, Force Motors is working on a more powerful version of its popular SUV – the Gurkha – which is expected to launch by the end of 2015. While the existing version of the SUV meets the BSIII emissions norms, the new variant will be BSIV compliant. Available in 3 variants – 2WD soft-top, 4WD soft-top and 4WD hard-top – the Force Gurkha competes against the Mahindra Thar and Maruti Gypsy in India.
Powering the new powerful Gurkha will be Mercedes-Benz’s 2.2-litre OM611 common-rail diesel engine that also does duty to the Force One. It’s a BSIV compliant engine, and is capable to produce a maximum power ouput of 139bhp and 320Nm of peak torque. With this much power, the Gurkha will become as powerful as the Tata Safari that comes powered with a 138.03bhp, 2.2-littre DICOR diesel engine.
Whereas the existing version of the Gurkha is powered by 2.6-litre OM616-derived diesel engine that delivers a maximum power of 81bhp at 3,200rpm and 230Nm of torque between 1,800rpm – 2,000rpm. This BSIII compliant engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, and returns 17.0kmpl. If reports are to be believed, both the engines – the existing 2.6-litre OM6161 and the new 2.2-litre OM611 – will receive an updated transmission.
Since the existing Gurkha is restricted to the BS-III norms supporting cities, the new BSIV compliant powerful version will certainly boost its sales. WIth a more powerful engine and new transmission on offer, the Gurkha 2.2 will be pricier than the current model.
Source - ACI
