Force Motors has launched the Urbania Deluxe, which replaces the current Urbania as the company’s standard offering in India’s premium shared mobility segment. Prices start at ₹2.87m (US$28,700) ex-showroom, with three wheelbases and eight seating layouts covering nine to 16 passengers plus a driver, sold across India.

Replacement rather than addition is the important detail. Every buyer of a premium Urbania now takes the Deluxe specification and its price, which lifts the entry point across the range instead of adding a halo variant above it.

The engine is Mercedes-derived, a 2.6-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel rated at 100kW and 350Nm. Force Motors builds and tests the engines for every Mercedes-Benz and BMW car and SUV made in India, and that supplier work now feeds into its own passenger platform.

Fleet buyers will look at the ownership package before the cabin. Force Care bundles i-Pulse telematics, a five-year or 500,000km warranty, three years of sensor cover and three years of roadside assistance, which is what has to justify the higher entry price.

Managing Director Prasan Firodia said in a statement that the Urbania created a new segment in India and has found acceptance in international markets. Safety equipment now includes three-point belts for every passenger, driver and co-driver airbags, disc brakes on all wheels and stability control.

Source: Force Motors