Czech start-up MW Motors has revealed an all-electric SUV based on the Force Gurkha. Called the Spartan 2.0, this new EV SUV has a 240km range, according to the company.

Force Gurkha-based Spartan 2.0: what’s different?

The bodyshell, ladder frame chassis, suspension, off-road gear and the interior bits are provided by Force Motors for the Spartan 2.0. The battery is supplied by a firm in China and everything else required to get the vehicle ready has been done by MW Motors.

The brand says its engineers took on-board feedback from customers of the original Spartan EV – a conversion of the UAZ Hunter, a Russian military 4x4 dating back to 1971 – from across Europe. The UAZ Hunter is actually a civilian version of the UAZ SUV that we drove in India a few months ago.

Force Gurkha-based Spartan 2.0: EV powertrain

A single motor in place of a gearbox transmits 176hp and a huge 1,075Nm of torque through a transfer case to give manually selectable two- or four-wheel drive with high and low ranges. There are also manually locking differentials at the front and rear and hill descent control. With a usable capacity of 57.4kWh, the under-bonnet battery provides a range of around 240km – enough for the average customer’s working week, believes MW Motors.

Charging can occur at rates of up to 90kW, so a 20-80 percent fill should take just over half an hour. Bi-directional charging is possible, meaning 230V can be provided to power tools and other equipment.

Force Gurkha-based Spartan 2.0: other details

At 4,116mm long and 1,812mm wide, the Spartan 2.0 is considerably smaller than most off-roaders but is larger than the Jimny. This allows easier manoeuvrability in tight spaces. Its approach angle is stated at 38 degress and its departure angle at 35 degrees, while its breakover angle is estimated to be 25 degress. The Gurkha-based Spartan 2.0’s kerb weight is 2,350kg, while the load and towing capacities are 1,025kg and 3,000kg, respectively. Suspension duties are taken care of by coil springs and an anti-roll bar at the front and rear.

There aren’t many changes to the interior, with the Spartan 2.0 looking nearly identical to the Gurkha on sale in India. The cabin is hard-wearing but competitively specced, featuring a pair of cloth-upholstered adjustable seats, a two-way adjustable steering wheel, electric windows, air conditioning, a digital instrument display and an infotainment touchscreen. 

The Spartan 2.0, like the Jimny 3-door, is sold as a commercial vehicle in some European markets and the UK, which means it does not get rear seats, making it a strict two-seat SUV.

Force Gurkha EV: will it come to India?

A pure EV SUV based on the Gurkha can be a proper rugged, old-school rival to the Thar EV, which has been previewed by a concept last year. However, there is no news from Force Motors on that front. Nonetheless, both Force and Mahindra are bringing diesel-powered, five-door versions of the Thar and Gurkha, respectively, this year.