Force Gurkha: The True Heir to the Original Mercedes G-Wagen's Rugged Legacy

The moment we discuss about the Force Gurkha, the first thing that instantly comes to everyone’s mind is how the vehicle uncannily resembles the legendary Mercedes G Wagen. From the overall silhouette to the indicators mounted on top of the hood, everything about this vehicle screams G Wagen. Unlike its main rival, which loves to brag about its roots in a legendary off-roader but has gone soft over the years, drifting away from serious off-roading, the Gurkha keeps it real. It’s stayed true to its tough, no-frills vibe, holding onto its hardcore, rugged image.

And to be fair, the Gurkha not only shares its design elements with the G-Wagen, but it also happens to share the legendary OM616 diesel engine as well. This is actually a reworked engine that happened to do duties on the first generation of the G Wagen that first came out in 1979.

The Gurkha packs a punch with its OM616 engine, churning out 140 BHP and a solid 320 Nm of torque. This engine isn't just strong; it's also super dependable, having been a workhorse in many vehicles. Sure, the 5-speed manual gearbox might not be the slickest, but it's definitely tough and can take a beating.

Let's be honest, the Gurkha's interior isn't its strong suit. The minimalist features and abundance of plastic might put some people off. But, when you think about how this vehicle is typically used, maybe it's not so bad. If Force Motors wants to bring in modern touches like a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, they really need to ditch the current, less-than-stellar "Chinese Hypersonic"-style system and make a big leap forward.

Now, coming to the ultimate question - How much of a G-Wagen is the Gurkha?

In 1979, the Shah of Iran sought a robust, uncompromising off-roader, leading Mercedes to create the original G-Wagen. Viewed from this perspective, the Gurkha appears to perfectly embody the core characteristics and purpose envisioned for that initial G-Wagen, delivering a vehicle that aligns with the foundational principles of its predecessor.

Now it is a different story that the G-Wagen eventually evolved into a completely different kind of beast - one that could defy the laws of physics while accelerating in a straight while also being very adept at off-roading. And if we were to look at it from this lens, there is nothing that Gurkha has in common.

In my opinion, the Gurkha is more closely related to the original G Wagen than the current, a claim supported by evidence.