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    Force Motors Gurkha [2017-2020] Xpedition 5 Door

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    Force Motors Gurkha [2017-2020] Xpedition 5 Door
    Force Motors Gurkha [2017-2020] Right Front Three Quarter
    Force Motors Gurkha [2017-2020] Rear View
    Force Motors Gurkha [2017-2020] Rear View
    Force Motors Gurkha [2017-2020] Left Front Three Quarter
    Force Motors Gurkha [2017-2020] Exterior
    Force Motors Gurkha [2017-2020] Interior
    Force Motors Gurkha [2017-2020] Exterior
    discontinued
    Variant
    Xpedition 5 Door
    City
    Show price in my city
    Rs. 9.99 Lakh
    Last Recorded Price

    Force Motors Gurkha [2017-2020] Xpedition 5 Door Review

    Meet another version of the new for 2017 Force Gurkha. This one is the more practical one. So, it has four doors and seating for eight people and a driver. It gets the same revamped 2.6-litre diesel with 85 horsepower and the conventional shifting 5-speed gearbox from the more lifestyle oriented Gurkha Xplorer (you can read that review HERE). And, it has the same design updates too.

    What is it?

    Why will I buy the Gurkha Xpedition

    If I wanted a no nonsense, no frills, reliable workhorse, I’d settle for the Xpedition. 

    Why will I avoid the Gurkha Xpedition

    Simply because I can’t have a no frills SUV as a family car; it needs more creature comfort. 

    Meet another version of the new for 2017 Force Gurkha. This one is the more practical one. So, it has four doors and seating for eight people and a driver. It gets the same revamped 2.6-litre diesel with 85 horsepower and the conventional shifting 5-speed gearbox from the more lifestyle oriented Gurkha Xplorer (you can read that review HERE). And, it has the same design updates too. 

    This one is called the Xpedition. And in terms of visual upgrades – compared to the older Gurkha – it gets new metal bumpers front and back, a new grille, new fog lamps and tail lights. The fender mounted turn indicators, the snorkel and the slab-sided looks continue unchanged. And it must be said, the new Gurkha even in this longer length and wheelbase form does look better than the older SUV.

    How is it on the inside?

    Unlike the Xplorer, the Xpedition is meant for the road and be a full-fledged family car. In that regard, it’s pretty basic. Sure, you get power steering and an aircon, and a tiny glovebox. But, otherwise there's no real creature comfort to talk about. No power windows, no internal adjustment for the ORVMs, no rear wash and wipe and not a single cup or bottle holder either.

    Instead, its list of features include slim door pockets; a simple instrument cluster with just a speedo, a trip meter, and gauges for temperature and fuel level; and a pretty insignificant stowage option in front of the gear lever. But then again, you can't really sell a car without these, now can you?

    As for the seats, the bucket options upfront don't offer much support, the ones in the middle are flat and a bit too upright, and the two benches in the boot are, well, benches. Space, however, isn't half bad. The Xpedition can't compete with the never ending Trax range (Toofan and Cruiser), but two up front, two in the middle and two right at the back – one per bench – is comfortably doable.

    And if you are wondering about quality and ergonomics and all that sissy car stuff, well, the Xpedition just couldn’t care less. It's a no frills car and it doesn't try to hide it either. Having said that, a basic interior is fine on an SUV like the Xplorer, but for something targeted at families, the level of hygiene content is higher. The good thing is, even though the plastic all round might look and feel cheap, it's not rough edged or sharp to give you paper-cuts.

    How does it drive?

    As we mentioned earlier, the engine has been revamped for the new Gurkha. It is still the same Mercedes unit that Force has been using for ages. But now it is BS-IV compliant. It also seems quieter on the move. 

    Given the weight of the Xpedition (it’s over 2.5 tonnes!) and the engine output of just 85bhp and 230Nm of torque, it's only natural that the Gurkha feels lazy and slow. The vague steering and gear shifts – not to mention the effort required to work them – makes driving the Xpedition within city confines a chore. It also doesn't like cruising at three-digit speeds on the highway feeling a bit wayward and unsure. Braking again with a front-only disc setup – is average at best. The brake feel is soggy and the bite arrives a hint later than needed.

    However, once it is out on poor roads, pot holes, or no roads at all, the Gurkha Xpedition begins to charm you. The ride over poor surfaces is fantastic (barring the constant steering shudder). It feels unflappable, almost unbreakable and as tough as nails going through ruts, flattening rocks or wading rivers. And because it is only rear wheel drive, it can slide around on muddy, slushy and gravelly play areas too. So, it isn’t completely devoid of the fun factor.

    But, the Xpedition's primary role is to be a personal car for buyers in tier 2 and 3 towns. So, it is supposed to be both a workhorse and offer pride of ownership. And it does the job in the former case, if you don’t ask brisk overtakes or drag races of it. It has proven mechanicals too, and it is sturdy. As for pride of ownership, it beats the Trax for sure, but it is still open to debate.

    Should I buy one?

    Unlike the Xplorer, the Xpedition isn’t your lifestyle Gurkha. It is here to take on the Mahindra Bolero and to offer personal car buyers a less utilitarian, but more appealing option, to its own sibling, the Trax.

    So, if you are looking for a practical people mover to be employed on your farm or your ancestral village home, go for it. But, as an everyday driver, especially in our overcrowded cities, you can do better.

    Where does it fit in?

    The Gurkha Xpedition retails for around Rs 7.5 lakh ex-showroom. And its only real competition is the Mahindra Bolero. The top of the line Bolero costs a little under Rs 8 lakh ex-showroom, but comes with more features. There are others like the Tata Sumo, but they haven't been able to keep up with the Mahindra in terms of sales numbers. So, it's really a binary choice.

     

    Pictures by Kapil Angane

    Click here to read our first drive review of the 2017 Force Gurkha Xplorer

    Specifications & Features

    • Specifications
    • Features
    • Specifications
    • Features

        Specifications

        • Engine & Transmission

          • Engine
            2596 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC

            Timely services will keep a motor efficient and in top shape.

          • Engine Type
            4 Cyl, Inline, TCIC Common Rail

            The official title given by the manufacturer in terms of the name of the engine, the displacement and the number of cylinders.

            A bigger displacement and more than four-cylinders generally indicate a performance-oriented engine.

          • Fuel Type
            Diesel

            All cars in India either run on petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG or electric power.

          • Max Power (bhp@rpm)
            85 bhp @ 3200 rpm

            Gives a good idea of the performance of the vehicle under full thrust. A higher figure here usually means a higher top speed as well.

            Higher the power, the peppier the engine but it can also affect fuel economy.

          • Max Torque (Nm@rpm)
            230 Nm @ 1400 rpm

            Relates to in-gear acceleration. A higher figure here means better roll-on acceleration, fewer gear shifts, and possibly better fuel efficiency.

            The more torque at low RPM range makes the engine feel more responsive. It also allows the engine to run smoothly without too many gear changes.

          • Mileage (ARAI)
            12.4 kmpl

            This is the maximum fuel efficiency that an engine gives. All numbers are provided by the manufacturer based on tests conducted and specified by the standards of the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India)

            Such fuel efficiency attained while driving in special conditions makes it unlikely to get it in real-world conditions

          • Drivetrain
            FWD

            Cars come with different drivetrain configurations depending on the segment.

            Front-wheel drive (FWD) is most common in mainstream cars while expensive cars or SUVs come with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

          • Transmission
            Manual - 5 Gears

            Type of transmission used to transfer power from the engine to the wheels

            A manually operated transmission is the most popular type, thanks to its simplicity and low cost. Varied types of automatic transmissions are also available.

          • Emission Standard
            BS 4

            Set by the Indian Government, this governs the amount of air pollutants released by cars to make the atmosphere safer for humans.

          • Turbocharger / Supercharger
            Turbocharged

            Manufacturers today offer turbochargers to boost engine power without affecting its fuel economy. Superchargers are found in more expensive cars but on the downside, they are not very efficient.

            Turbochargers are more effective but require plenty of heat management. Superchargers, meanwhile, offer linear bump in power but they are comparatively more complex.

        • Dimensions & Weight

          • Length
            4342 mm

            The length of the car decides its segment. In India, cars that are less than 4 metres in length enjoy reduced excise duties.

            Length
            • Length: 4342

            Longer length results in more cabin space. It also adds to straight line stability.

          • Width
            1790 mm

            A car's width is defined as its widest point without its mirrors.

            Width
            • Width: 1790

            Although more width gives you more lateral space inside the cabin, it makes the car more difficult to park in narrow spots.

          • Height
            2055 mm

            The height of the car denotes the highest point of the vehicle from the ground.

            Height
            • Height: 2055

            Taller the car, the more headroom there is on offer inside the cabin. However, a tall boy stance also affect the car’s centre of gravity which can cause more body roll.

          • Wheelbase
            2750 mm

            The space between the center of the front and rear wheels.

            Wheelbase
            • Wheelbase: 2750

            The longer the wheelbase, the more space there is inside the cabin.

          • Ground Clearance
            162 mm

            It’s the space between the lowest point of the car and the ground.

            Ground Clearance
            • Ground Clearance: 162

            If the car has a good amount of clearance, it’s easier for it to clear big speed breakers and overall, deal with bad roads.

          • Kerb Weight
            1964 kg

            The total weight of the vehicle with all the standard equipment and all the required fluids.

            A lightweight car will always be more efficient and easier to manoeuvre whereas a heavy car would give you a sense of solidity while driving.

        • Capacity

          • Doors
            5 Doors

            The number of doors define the category of car. For example – four door means sedan, two-door means coupe while five-doors usually refer to a hatchback, MPV or an SUV.

            Doors
            • Doors: 5
          • Seating Capacity
            5 & 6 Person

            The number of people that can be seated comfortably in the car, which has also been mandated by the car manufacturer.

          • No of Rows
            2 Rows

            Smaller cars usually have two rows which can seat five, but some SUVs and MPVs have three rows and can seat around 7-8 passengers.

          • Fuel Tank Capacity
            63 litres

            The official volume of the fuel tank of a car, usually denoted in litres.

            If a car has a large fuel tank, it can cover long distances without refuelling.

        • Suspensions, Brakes, Steering & Tyres

          • Front Suspension
            Independent with Coil Spring mounted on Struts, Gas Charged Hydraulic Telescopic Shock Absorbers & Anti Roll Bar

            Almost all cars in India use an independent front suspension which is usually the MacPherson Strut type.

          • Rear Suspension
            Multi Link with Pan Hard Rod and Coil Springs, Gas Charged Hydraulic Telescopic Shock Absorbers & Anti Roll Bar

            The rear suspension can either be non-independent or independent.

            Most of the budget cars have non-independent suspension while the more expensive ones get independent rear suspension which offers better bump absorption.

          • Front Brake Type
            Disc

            Most of the vehicles sold in India get ventilated or non-ventilated disc brakes upfront.

            - The ventilated discs are more popular thanks to them providing better stopping power and it also works well in hot conditions.

          • Rear Brake Type
            Drum

            In affordable cars, drums brakes are fitted at the rear as they are cost effective.

            Disc setup at the rear is now getting more popular as cars are getting faster in the real world.

          • Minimum Turning Radius
            5.8 metres

            The official kerb-to-kerb minimum radius a car takes to complete a 180-degree turn.

            Shorter the turning radius, the lesser space you need to make a tight turn or to take a U-turn.

          • Steering Type
            Power assisted (Hydraulic)

            Almost all steering systems in cars today have an assist to help park them better at low speeds - these can be hydraulic, electro-hydraulic or electric.

          • Wheels
            Alloy Wheels

            The wheels used on cars are either steel rims with plastic wheel cover hub or alloy wheels on higher spec models or expensive cars.

            Razor cut, or diamond cut alloy wheel design are not getting more popular. Manufacturers usually offer these in top-end trim of their car models.

          • Spare Wheel
            Alloy

            Important in a country with varying quality of roads, spare wheels ensure one doesn’t get stranded when one of the main tyres gets damaged.

            Select premium car models feature space savers (smaller than the stock wheels) to save on boot space.

          • Front Tyres
            245 / 70 R16

            The profile/dimension of rubber tyre that fits on the front wheels.

          • Rear Tyres
            245 / 70 R16

            The profile/dimension of rubber tyre that fits on the rear wheels.

        Features

        • Safety

          • Seat Belt Warning
            Yes

            Mandatory fitment in cars sold in India, emits loud beeps when it detects that occupants are not wearing their seatbelts.

            Seat belt warning is mandatory for front-seat occupants, but it is recommended that all occupants wear seat belts.

        • Braking & Traction

          • Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
            No

            An electronic system that prevents the tyres from locking and skidding in emergency braking situations by pulsing the brakes (quickly releasing and reapplying the brakes)

            ABS is a great accident prevention technology, allowing drivers to steer while braking hard

          • Four-Wheel-Drive
            Manual Shift - Lever

            A system that sends the car's power to all the four wheels at the same time

        • Locks & Security

          • Engine Immobiliser
            Yes

            A security device that prevents the engine from being started unless the key is present

          • Child Safety Lock
            Yes

            Such locks are built into the rear doors to prevent rear seat occupants from opening the doors

        • Comfort & Convenience

          • Air Conditioner
            No

            The different types of air-conditioning systems used to cool the cabin

            Maintaining the lowest temperature and first blower speed offers the best results.

          • Front AC
            -
          • Heater
            No

            This feature allows warm air to pass through the air-con vents for heating the cabin

          • Anti-glare Mirrors
            Manual - Internal Only

            These mirrors negate the glare from headlight beams of cars behind you

            Since a large chunk of people love driving around in their high beam, these mirrors come in handy

          • Headlight and Ignition On Reminder
            Yes

            An alert that warns one from leaving the car with the headlight and ignition switched on

        • Seats & Upholstery

          • Seat Upholstery
            Fabric

            When it's time to replace, use a fabric that grips and are inherently cool to the touch

          • Rear Passenger Seat Type
            Bench
          • Third Row Seat Type
            Bench

            This row could either be a bench or a pair of jump/captain seats

            When the need arises, the last row can double up as space for luggage.

          • Interiors
            Single Tone

            Depicts if the cabin comes with a single or dual-tone colour scheme

          • Interior Colours
            Beige

            The various color shades used within the cabin

          • Folding Rear Seat
            Full

            Some rear seats have the option to be be folded to offer more practicality

          • Front Seatback Pockets
            Yes

            The pockets behind the front seats which help rear seat occupants store their stuff

        • Doors, Windows, Mirrors & Wipers

          • ORVM Colour
            Body Coloured

            Mirrors that are placed on the car's exterior, around the door, to aid the driver see behind the vehicle

            Placing/sticking wide-angle mirrors on the ORVMs can enhance the rear view tremendously.

          • One Touch Down
            Driver

            This feature allows a user to roll down the windows with a single press of a button

            This feature reduces the time your hand is away from the steering wheel

          • Adjustable ORVMs
            Externally Adjustable

            Different ways of adjusting the door mirror to suit the driver's requirement

            Tremendously aids driving judgement in a variety of tight situations.

          • Exterior Door Handles
            Black
          • Interior Door Handles
            Unpainted
          • Bootlid Opener
            Internal

            The various methods of opening the boot lid

        • Lighting

          • Headlights
            Halogen
          • Taillights
            Halogen

            Inspect tail lamp bulbs at periodic intervals for optimum safety.

          • Fog Lights
            Halogen on front

            A type of lamp that improves driver visibility while driving through fog

            The yellow/amber fog lights are preferable as they are warm to the eyes and do not reflect from the fog.

          • Cabin Lamps
            Front
        • Instrumentation

          • Instrument Cluster
            Analogue

            A screen situated mostly behind the steering wheel displaying information and warning lights regarding the car's various vitals

          • Trip Meter
            1 Trip
          • Low Fuel Level Warning
            Yes

            This alert should be taken as a final warning to head straight to the fuel pump

        • Entertainment, Information & Communication

          • Head Unit Size
            Not Available

            The size of the music system fitted to a car. Traditionally 1-DIN or 2-DIN, are being replaced by touchscreen units of varying sizes.

        • Manufacturer Warranty

          • Warranty (In Years)
            3

            The automaker can void the vehicle's warranty if the owner has fitted aftermarket components.

          • Warranty (In Kilometres)
            300000

            The automaker can void the vehicle's warranty if the owner has fitted aftermarket components.

        Other Gurkha [2017-2020] Variants

        VariantsPriceSpecificationsSpecifications
        Rs. 9.99 Lakh
        5 & 6 Person, FWD, 230 Nm, 162 mm, 1964 kg, 5 Gears, 4 Cyl, Inline, TCIC Common Rail, No, 63 litres, No, No, No, 4342 mm, 1790 mm, 2055 mm, 2750 mm, 230 Nm @ 1400 rpm, 85 bhp @ 3200 rpm, No, No, No, 0, No, 0, No, No, Manual Shift - Lever, No, 0, BS 4, 5 Doors, 12.4 kmpl, Diesel, Manual, 85 bhp
        Get Offers from Dealers

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        Reviews

        • 4.7/5

          (3 Ratings) 1 Reviews
        • Excellent
          Powerful engine, smooth driving , attractive look, i have satisfy when driving it in the hilly region. Maximum capacity to riding . When i shaw this vehicle i am so exciting about to ride and when i ride this i have ao proud to the campany and enginer who made this vehicle. Force company all vehicle is attractive look and pricing and engine power of all type of vehicle.
          Rating parameters(out of 5)
          5

          Exterior


          5

          Comfort


          5

          Performance


          5

          Fuel Economy


          5

          Value For Money

          About the Reviewer
          Purchase Not Purchased
          Driven forFew thousand kilometers
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