An unusual premiere took place in India: the local company Force Motors, which specializes mainly in commercial vehicles, introduced a “comfortable” version of its utilitarian Trax model. This second-generation family debuted in 2021 and is widely unified with the full-fledged Force Gurkha SUV.
But Force Trax is not an SUV (no all-wheel drive) and not even a minibus. In some countries, the term Troop Carrier is used for such vehicles, that is, literally “squad carrier”. Trax can take on board up to 13 riders: five are located on the usual two rows of seats, and the remaining eight passengers are on the “benches” along the sides of the luggage compartment. And this despite the fact that Trax length 5120 mm 230 mm shorter than the Chevrolet Tahoe.
The new model Force Citiline offers more comfortable conditions. There are four full rows of seats. On the second row there is a three-seater sofa, divided in a ratio of 60:40. The third row consists of two separate chairs with a passage through the center, and on the gallery there is a one-piece sofa for three riders. Almost a comfort-class cabin, only without a trunk. From the equipment there is air conditioning with air ducts on the ceiling and power windows, but no audio system.
Otherwise, Force Citiline completely repeats Trax. The frame car has an independent spring suspension at the front and a continuous axle on springs at the rear, and the rear wheels have drum brakes. Ground clearance – 191 mm. The equipment includes ABS, but there is no talk of airbags. The Citiline with a curb weight of 3140 kg is driven by a 2.6 turbodiesel, that is, a modified licensed Mercedes OM616 of the seventies. It meets the BS6 eco-norms (similar to Euro 6), and its return is 91 hp. and 250 Nm. The only gearbox is a five-speed “mechanics”, the drive is only rear.
In India, Citiline is sold freely, the price is $19,400. However, not all states in India allow it to be registered as a personal vehicle. For example, in Delhi, private cars must have no more than eight seats.