Image: via rushlane.com
Force Motors’ rugged Gurkha platform has taken a new form overseas, where a double-cab pickup based on the SUV is now being retailed in Uganda and other African markets through Tata Motors’ dealer network. According to reports from those markets, the Gurkha pickup uses a 2.6-litre diesel engine rated at around 140 PS and 320 Nm, paired with 4x4 and a manual gearbox.
Gurkha already on sale in Nepal
Nepal is already familiar with the Gurkha nameplate. The BS6 Force Gurkha SUV is officially on sale here via Aayam Intercontinental/Himalaya Organization, with a single 3-door 4x4 variant priced at around Rs 78.99 lakh in the latest listings. The Nepal-spec SUV uses an earlier tune of the same 2.6-litre diesel, producing about 91 hp and 250 Nm, mated to a 5-speed manual and proper low-range 4x4.
Despite its niche appeal, the Gurkha has carved out a small but loyal following among off-road enthusiasts and buyers needing a factory-built 4x4 with snorkel, locking differentials and high ground clearance.
Pickup version: any chance for Nepal?
Force Motors has been testing Gurkha-based pickup prototypes in India in both single- and double-cab forms, but the model has not yet been launched there. In Africa, Force relies on Tata Motors as a distributor for Gurkha SUVs, vans and now the pickup, which suggests the company is open to flexible partnerships and export-focused variants.
For Nepal, two potential angles emerge:
- If Force launches the Gurkha pickup in India, it would become easier and more economical to source units for Nepal, given our reliance on Indian production and right-hand-drive specifications.
- The higher-output 2.6L engine (around 140 PS/320 Nm) could eventually replace the current 91 hp tune in the Gurkha SUV sold here, improving highway performance and load-carrying ability for mountain routes.
Impact on Nepali buyers and pricing
A Gurkha pickup, if introduced in Nepal, would likely sit above work-focused pickups and closer to lifestyle 4x4s like the upcoming Scorpio-based pickups and premium off-road SUVs in terms of positioning. With the current Gurkha SUV already near Rs 79 lakh, a double-cab pickup with a stronger engine and similar 4x4 hardware could realistically land in the Rs 80–90 lakh band after duties.
That price would target a narrow but growing group: buyers who need a robust load bed plus serious off-road capability for resorts, adventure tourism, rural logistics or overlanding builds. Until Force or its Nepali distributor confirms plans, the Gurkha pickup remains a "watch this space" product—but its overseas launch signals that the platform is evolving, and future engine or body-style updates could eventually filter into the Nepali market.
Reported by the Nepal AutoMart news desk. Prices verified against Nepal AutoMart's own distributor-sourced data.
