Force Gurkha To Get Nissan-Owned JATCO Gearbox: Report

Following their May reveal, the three and five-door Force Gurkha SUVs may get an automatic gearbox (likely torque converter), Autocar India stated in its exclusive report. Priced from Rs. 16.75 lakh (three-door) to Rs. 18 lakh (five-door) ex-showroom, the SUVs only come equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Besides, the siblings also miss out on a petrol powertrain and 4x2 drivetrain offered on its Mahindra Thar rival. The Maruti Suzuki Jimny does miss out on a 4x2 but has an automatic available that’s preferable for urban commutes. Notably, both the rear-wheel and 4x4 Thars can be bought with petrol and diesel engines while Jimny houses a petrol mill.

The homegrown carmaker is in talks with Japan Automatic Transmission Company (JATCO) for a seven-speed torque converter unit. The idea here is to complement its 4WD setup’s low-end torque, making off-road trails a breeze. Nissan has a 75% stake in the Japanese tier-one automotive supplier that makes CVTs doing duty in the Magnite and Renault Kiger. 

With the addition of an automatic, prices of the Gurkha off-roaders are expected to increase by Rs. 1 lakh. For perspective, the Thar’s 4x4 petrol and diesel automatic lineup starts at Rs. 16.59 lakh and Rs. 16.99 lakh respectively. The base Jimny has a price tag of Rs. 12.74 lakh, going all the way up to Rs. 14.79 lakh ex-showroom. 

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