Force Motors is reportedly working on a fully-electric derivative of the Gurkha. Spy images of the rugged SUV recently went viral on the internet which claim to be running on a battery-derived powertrain. As we all know, Gurkha is looked as a more traditional rival to Mahindra Thar range, and with the latter expected to go electric in the future, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Force will also look to do the same with the Gurkha.
As seen in the recent spy shots, the test mule of Gurkha electric is completely uncamouflaged wearing a white paint and a red number plate registered under Pimpri Chinchwad RTO in Pune, Maharashtra. Moreover, the prototype is based on the five-door Gurkha launched last year.
Force Gurkha EV spotted
The images also testify that visually it’s identical to the combustion-powered Gurkha. The only noticeable difference is the lack of a dedicated exhaust tailpipe at the rear. Otherwise, the test mule is identical to its ICE namesake. This development comes at a time when Mahindra is about to showcase a fully-electric concept of the Thar, named Thar.e, next month.
Force Motors has yet to reveal specific details about the upcoming electric Gurkha. However, the Pune-based automaker has previously announced substantial investment plans focused on conventional powertrains, electric vehicles, advanced engineering capabilities, and environmentally sustainable initiatives.
Over the next three to four years, the company intends to invest nearly Rs 2,000 crore in EV development and sustainability. Its electric vehicle roadmap includes the already launched Traveller EV variants, the forthcoming Urbania EV, and the anticipated Gurkha EV.
Previous Force Gurkha EV concept
This isn’t the first time an electric version of the Force Gurkha has gained attention online. In February last year, Czech start-up MW Motors unveiled the Spartan 2.0, an all-electric SUV based on the Force Gurkha. The vehicle offered a claimed range of 240 km on a single charge. It retained key components from the internal combustion Gurkha, including the bodyshell, ladder-frame chassis, suspension system, off-road hardware, and interior elements.
Instead of a traditional gearbox, the Spartan 2.0 uses a single electric motor that delivers 174 bhp and an impressive 1,075 Nm of torque. Power is transmitted through a transfer case, enabling manually selectable two- or four-wheel drive with both high and low range settings. It also features manually locking front and rear differentials, along with hill descent control. Powered by a 57.4 kWh battery pack placed under the bonnet, MW Motors believes the 240 km range is sufficient for the average customer’s weekly needs.
Force Gurkha update on cards
The report further goes on to mention that there was another unit of the Gurkha present in the testing convoy which carried a snorkel. This prototype was most likely carrying an updated version of the same 2.6-litre turbo diesel engine which is likely to generate a higher output. In its current avatar, this motor releases 138 bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque in the five-door Gurkha.
