The new Force Gurkha is now more powerful than its competitor – Mahindra Thar diesel.
Published On Apr 29, 2024 03:17:00 PM
After a long wait, Force has finally revealed the 2024 Gurkha SUV. Now available in 3-door and 5-door guises, the former is a direct rival to the Mahindra Thar. Here’s a specifications comparison between the two off-roaders.
2024 Force Gurkha vs Mahindra Thar: dimensions, off-road stats
| Force Gurkha vs Mahindra Thar: dimensions, off-road stats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Force Gurkha 3-door | Mahindra Thar | ||
| Length | 3965mm | 3985mm | |
| Width | 1865mm | 1855mm | |
| Height | 2080mm | 1844-1855mm | |
| Wheelbase | 2400mm | 2450mm | |
| Ground clearance | 233mm | 226mm | |
| Front/rear track | 1547mm/1490mm | 1520mm/1520mm | |
| Turning circle diameter | 10 metres | 11.8 metres | |
| Approach angle | 39 degrees | 41.8 degrees | |
| Departure angle | 37 degrees | 36.8 degrees | |
| Breakover angle | 28 degrees | 27 degrees | |
| Water wading | 700mm | 650mm | |
Considering that the Mahindra Thar is only available with a 3-door format for now, it’s only fair to compare it with the Force Gurkha 3-door. That said, the Thar is 20mm longer than the new Gurkha 3-door, while the latter is 10mm wider. The Gurkha is also over 225mm taller than the Thar, but the Mahindra SUV has a 50mm longer wheelbase.
Moreover, the new Force Gurkha has a wider front track but a narrower rear track, while it also has a shorter turning circle diameter and 50mm extra water wading capacity as compared to the Thar. The Mahindra SUV has a kerb weight ranging between 1774-1783kg, while the Gurkha has a gross vehicle weight of 2800kg. In addition, the Gurkha has better breakover and departure angles, but the Thar has a superior approach angle.
2024 Force Gurkha vs Mahindra Thar: engine, gearbox and suspension
| Force Gurkha vs Mahindra Thar: powertrain, suspension | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Force Gurkha 3-door | Mahindra Thar 2.2 | Mahindra Thar 1.5 | |
| Type | 4-cyl, turbo-diesel | 4-cyl, turbo-diesel | 4-cyl, turbo-diesel |
| Capacity | 2596cc | 2184cc | 1497cc |
| Power | 140hp | 132hp | 119hp |
| Torque | 320Nm | 300Nm | 300Nm |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual | 6-speed manual/6-speed auto | 6-speed manual |
| Front/rear suspension | Independent double wishbone with coil springs/Multi-link with pan hard rod & coil springs | Independent double wishbone with coil springs/Non-independent multi-link rigid axle & coil springs | Independent double wishbone with coil springs/Non-independent multi-link rigid axle & coil springs |
| Drive layout | 4WD | 4WD | RWD |
| Front/rear differentials | Manual locking differential/Manual locking differential | Brake locking differential/Mechanical locking differential | Brake locking differentia/NA |
The 2024 Gurkha gets the same Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre diesel engine, however, it is now tuned to produce 140hp and 320Nm. This engine is only available with a 5-speed manual transmission with a standard four-wheel drive configuration.
Since the Force Gurkha is only available with a diesel engine, we are comparing it only with the diesel engines of the Thar. The Mahindra Thar’s 2.2-litre diesel engine generates 132hp and 300Nm, and can be had with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 6-speed torque converter automatic. While 4WD is standard, the Thar is also available with a smaller 1.5-litre diesel engine that makes 119hp, and comes with a rear-wheel drive setup.
Both models come fitted with transfer cases that let you shift from two-wheel drive to either four-wheel drive high or low ratios, as standard. The Thar comes with an ESC-based brake lock differential at the front and auto mechanical locking differential at the rear, both of which are managed by on-board computers. However, the Gurkha allows you to manually lock the front and rear differentials.
2024 Force Gurkha vs Mahindra Thar: prices
The Mahindra Thar diesel is currently priced from Rs 11.25 lakh for the RWD version and Rs 15 lakh onwards for the 4×4 variants, going up to Rs 17.60 lakh for the top-end LX Earth Edition hard-top automatic variant. Given the Thar’s length and it’s smaller sub-1,500cc diesel engine, the Thar RWD enjoys tax benefits under the sub-4-metre class, while a lack of 4×4 hardware also results in a lower price tag. Prices for the new Force Gurkha to be revealed in a few days.
All prices, ex-showroom India
Also see:
2024 Force Gurkha 5 door review: Bigger is better
2024 Force Gurkha video review
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