The Force Citiline is India’s 10-seat take on the G-Wagen

Indian carmaker Force Motors already builds engines for Mercedes and describes its own rugged three-door off-roader – the Gurkha – as having “a timeless appeal drawn from the legendary Mercedes G-Wagen”, so perhaps it’s no surprise to see the design direction it has taken for its new people-carrying SUV.

Known as the Force Citiline, this all-new boxy beauty has more than a hint of the previous generation G-Wagen about its looks.

And when we say people-carrying SUV, for once we do actually mean it. That’s because unlike the hideously impractical crossovers we get in the UK, the Citiline uses its 5.1 metres of length and 1.8 metres of width to squeeze in four rows of seating and enough space for 10 adults. Impressive.

We’re told that the G-Citiline also manages ‘best-in-segment legroom, headroom, elbowroom and shoulder room’ despite packing that many seats in, while the interior materials and design are perhaps best described as hard-wearing

The powertrain is pleasingly simple too, with a 2.6-litre four-cylinder diesel engine somehow producing just 90bhp and 184lb ft of torque. That power (or lack thereof) is sent through a five-speed manual gearbox and the suspension uses a leaf spring setup at the back. There are drum brakes at the rear too, and the wheels are just 15-inchers with proper tyre sidewalls.

All of that helps to keep the cost down, with the Citiline priced at the equivalent of around £15,000. Anyone else suddenly keen for a 10-up Indian road trip?