HAMMER TIME

The new Gurkha 5-door comes with updated styling, improved performance, and better features. So, do these changes make it the practical 'proper' off-roader we've all been waiting for?

- KARAN MATHUR

Few automobiles in the industry have stayed true to their roots amidst the pressure to modernise for contemporary customers. The formidable Force Gurkha, characterised by its boxy design, utilitarian interior, and unmatched off-road capability, epitomises this steadfastness. Now, while the Gurkha valiantly attempted to blend rugged mechanical hardware with some creature comforts, it was hindered by the lack of a five-door option.

Enter the 2024 iteration of the Force Gurkha, which not only gets new high-tech features but also the addition of two rear doors, enhancing its practicality. So, has it now become the five-door, seven-seat SUV that you've always wanted? Should you even hold out for the arrival of 5-door Mahindra Thar rival? Well, we try to answer these questions and more that you might have.

WHAT'S CHANGED?

An external comparison of the new model with the old one will tell you that the differences between the two are subtle. The most significant change, in my opinion, is that the Gurkha 5-door looks a lot more proportionate than its 3-door counterpart. With the wheelbase, length, height, and ground clearance increasing by 425mm, 495mm, 15mm, and 23mm, respectively, the 5-door version exudes a more balanced stance. While the 3-door Gurkha was referred to as the desi G-Wagon, the 5-door version actually looks like one. Its key design changes include an updated mesh grille, wider fenders, owing to the increased wheel track, 18-inch alloy wheels, and, of course, the addition of the two rear doors. Despite these changes, the Gurkha maintains its signature boxy silhouette, flat body lines, and sharp edges.