Force Motors have launched the Force One SUV, its first such product as it plans to enhance its presence in the passenger car business. With a brand ambassador like Amitabh Bachchan, Force Motors' Personal Vehicles Division will make its foray with 22 dealerships to begin with as the vehicle hits showrooms from 1st September.
The pricing is as follows -
Rs 10.65 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi & Rs 11.1 lakhs, ex-showroom, Mumbai.
The ARAI fuel efficiency cycle rates the Force One at 11.6 kilometres per litre.
Powered by a 2148cc, inline-four diesel engine, the Force One produces 138 bhp and 32 kgm of peak torque. This motor, called the 2.2 FMTech is originally a Mercedes-Benz engine that used to power the last C-Class as well as the W210 E-Class. Mated to a 5-speed manual, the powertrain has been tuned in-house while the dynamics have been tweaked by Lotus Engineering. The motor is currently BS-IV ready but can be tuned for BS-V norms as well. The gearbox too is an MB gearbox that uses a low-friction, dual mass flywheel.
The chassis frame was designed in-house using CAD/CAM and CAE. The chassis has been welded using robots. The body is a high tensile. High yield alloy steel frame. The steering is a rack and pinion with power assist. 16-inch alloy wheels are standard on the vehicle.
Force One has designed the SUV to be a 7-seat vehicle with 3 forward facing rows. The company claims that it has a best-in-class comfort and space. It has an on-board computer with distance to empty, real time fuel-efficiency, gear selection etc. Daytime LEDs are standard on the vehicle while the car will also boast of electrically controlled ORVMs.
Currently the vehicle will be available only as a 4x2 but will be offered in a 4x4 version by March 2012. A version with ABS and airbags too will be offered by 2013. Importantly, a stripped down version of the vehicle will be offered by next year to make the vehicle highly competitive in the Indian market. The company plans to enhance the number of dealerships from 22 currently to 44 by mid-2012.
