The Gurkha looks like it was built to star in a movie about the apocalypse thanks to an over-the-top, function-over-form look characterized by a tall front end with a bumper crafted out of solid metal, small side windows designed to protect the occupants, black bead lock wheels tucked under wide fender flares and a design that accurately defines the word “boxy.” The truck is based on a Ford F-550 Super Duty, and careful observers will notice the door mirrors still carry a Blue Oval part number.
Like its military-spec counterpart, the Gurkha Civilian Edition was developed to withstand impacts from 7.62-millimeter armor-piercing rounds. Buyers with particularly determined enemies can order additional armor — including protective mesh on the windows, blast mitigation seating, and upgraded floor blast material — at an extra cost. Gun racks are also available should the passengers need to fire back.
The murdered-out behemoth is powered by a Ford-sourced 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine that makes 300 horsepower at 2,800 rpm and 660 lb-ft. of torque at 1,600 rpm. A six-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels. The Gurkha Civilian Edition can drive through over 30 inches of water, but the trade-off is that the Continental off-road tires limit its top speed to just 70 mph.
The Gurkha Civilian Edition is built in Ontario, and it surprisingly retains the F-550′s drivetrain warranty because the conversion is approved by Ford. On sale now, it carries a base price of roughly $278,000.
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