Re: New Force Gurkha 4x4 Test Drive Review
1. Why does the body paint on the engine firewall seem different from the body paint on the rest of the vehicle? Maybe they didn't paint the firewall at all?
It probably is just primered - having said that its a common phenomenon nowadays to not paint the final lacquer odd out of reach places -> out of sight is out of mind.
2. Why do they attribute all faults to the test mule being a 'pre-production' model? Do you take that bait? I am asking this because the vehicle which you tested looks production ready and no test mule would have a mere 9xxx kms on its odo.
They didnt attribute it explicitly and not to everything - but it was something told to us upfront that these were media prototypes and we will be lent a separate production spec later - I expect by end of July, so that will help make the final call.
3. The engine bay looks old school muscular. I like. But what's your opinion on the plumbing? I can see the radiator hose touching the air intake hose touching the EGR hose touching the turbo hose blah...
As i said plumbing/fit and finish isnt up to mark, as an owner Araldite will become a mandatory accessory after a few years - the bad part is the fit and finish , the good part just about anyone should be able to clamp it back or stick it on. Mechanically not much can go wrong , just keep tightening and replacing clamps once a while.
4. So many sharp edges all around and inside the Gurkha, not including the Khukri badge - did you have to use band aid?
Not really but yes it needs some polishing for the rough edges
5. 0.806 ratio for the fifth gear? I expect it will cruise at 100-110 without making much racket. What do you say?
Thats exactly what prompted to say it will be an OK highway cruiser 100-120 range shouldnt be too hard given the over drive ratio.
6. Have they used all recycled plastic for the insides?
Ideally they should have given Old Sumo or Bolero type dash atleast - this one is not up to the mark really and looks hand made! Or even reused something from their own line.
7. Does the handbrake work, or is it like the one in the Thar - 'Pull to get Disappointed Type?'
Worked perfectly fine!
8. Why is there so much rust on the underbelly? It sure ain't mud.
It is mud actually - there was not much worry for rust, the gauge is so thick even if it rusts and some metal flies away you can survive a life time.
9. Better packaging angle for the exhaust? Ha ha. Ask them to pack one for my birthday.
The cat con surely deserves a better location than that.
10. If I install a larger hub for increasing the PCD, does my warranty still hold true? Any idea what's the OEM PCD figure?
The figure I gave of 7.50 R 16 is maximum recommended upsize with PCD change from Force - so yes warranty shouldn't be an issue in that case - Best to speak with the dealer as well to reiterate this. I am not sure of the current PCD size for sure, will reconfirm and post.
11. How long is their test track? I agree that a larger and more challenging test track would be welcome but maybe it won't be so welcome for the Gurkha.
Its not a long track by any means and i agree with you the Gurkha can do much more. We have seen manufacturers doing mickey mouse stunts with artificial structures, so this one is far better than that - there are probably very few indian vehicles I would even considering plonking in the articulation pit(without causing damage).
Off-course real world conditions are more unpredictable and hence challenging.
12. Do you have some more pictures of the rear axle articulation? Being a rigid, this one might be more...umm...articulate.
It doesnt articulate much, infact there are a few pictures in the article which shows the one of the rear tyres air borne - infact don't worry about articulation you got lockers instead!
13. When I drive leisurely, I keep my right elbow on the window sill. You seem to be doing the same in one of the snaps while negotiating the track. Does the Gurkha really make it so easy?
You will need a little bit of getting used to the driving position and steering rake - having said that i do beleive there is sweet spot in every vehicle that a owner will eventually find or get used to(if not direct then with an easy jhugad). I liked the seat they were well cushioned - ergonomics on arm rest and gear lever position isnt great. The 4x4 lever is more easily reachable than the gear lever. If you are coming from something else and try a new thing it will inevitably not come to you naturally - i wouldn't worry about it.
14. That single horn peeping from behind the front grille reminds me of my old neighbour uncle who has only one tooth left on his lower jaw. You can see it whenever he laughs.
Hope your uncle isnt reading this!
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-" Mr. Dinkar you come asking for sugar when you run out of it , and now you post about my tooth online " - Your Friendly neighborhood uncle. A very warm welcome to that uncle to TAI - his indirect presence is welcome as well. Err did you want to comment on horn as well ?
Man. Now THAT is an ugly grille. Didn't you ask them to change it?
While in the test track we also had a Gurkha with rectangular lights and trax front grill - my first comment to them was everyone would want that as an accessory too. Having said that certain angles it doesn't look that bad - they should have kept the boxy rectangular theme though - old school and butch.
15. Using brakes to descend? I thought the Gurkha's USP was it's crawl. Am thoroughly disappointed. Maybe they reduced the crawl ratio in favour of better highway performance, a la the Thar.
Probably yes, I calculated it but rather not post it, i have asked them the official crawl number. Having said that the crawl still is a big big USP - its by no means inadequate, though offroaders always will ask more!
16. How is the plastic quality on the door handles? Will they last?
Surely not the best quality , average to low.
17. How noisy is the AC? I can see all four centre vents tilted towards the driver's side and if you are still complaining about lack of cooling, it must be really bad.
We spent an entire afternoon with the vehicle at the factory premise itself and for shooting purpose and communication kept the windows largely open - yes the AC didnt feel effective but I will wait to see a production vehicle to comment definitively. Noise wasn't a worry.
18. Good to see the cat con is not hanging like the one in the Thar. Did you scrape it anytime?
One of the images shows the hit and deformity the cat con sustained - its positioning could have been better.
19. The crevice between the dash and the front windscreen to demist the latter - is it there by design or by default
?
As primitive as it could get but it was surprisingly effective !
20. Who is the great man at Force motors who said, "yeah, put an arm rest on the front seats of the Gurkha but no no no no armrest for the front seats of the Force One, okay?"
I havent met him yet, very soon when the 4x4 launches in July(or so we are told) - hopefully we will test that one in detail too.
21. Is the holding arm of the glove box broken or am I seeing things?
It was removable holding arm , again poor fit and finish.
22. What's a pink pouch doing inside the glovebox of an E.O.V? Hope it does not have nail paint and lipsticks and mascara.....
If it indeed did - I apologise for not reviewing it as well, ohh man what a blooper, we could have got 4 times the hit as what Loreal gets!
23. Is that the OEM seat trim?
Yes bone stock with no custom covers.
24. That rear foot step on the green Gurkha, is it OEM?; and what does it do to the angle of departure?
The soft top has this by default for obvious reasons , the hard top didnt - good question! Its a must have in my view, even if you hit - nothing much could happen - it would be easy to mend/remove !
25. 9xxx kms test mule. What about rattles?
There wasn much plain roads within the premise , hardly a small stretch, hence as i said not much comment on highway usage. My view is if the same dashboard is retained, it will rattle eventually but nothing that you cant fix easy - not a suggestion for hygienic reasons but seen chewing gum used to fix such problems !
26. Off topic: How was the ride in the Force One?
It was a very limited experience - i hope we could do a detailed review of the upcoming 4x4 version shortly. I also know someone who is doing a Leh- Khardungla shortly in the Force one!
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, Ill revert back on your questions once i finish reading the long list 
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