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Force Motors Just Launched The Urbania Deluxe, And It Wants To Redefine What A Shared Van Feels Like

A nine-seater van with leatherette seats, wood-finish flooring, a 9-inch touchscreen, and a diesel engine borrowed from Mercedes-Benz engineering. That is not a premium MPV concept. That is the new Force Urbania Deluxe, unveiled in Pune on 23rd July 2026, and it is set to become the new standard in India’s premium shared mobility segment.

Force Motors is calling this the next chapter of the Urbania story, a platform that already built a name for itself as India’s first ground-up modular monocoque van. A monocoque body, in simple terms, means the vehicle’s outer shell and chassis are built as a single structural unit rather than a body bolted onto a separate frame. This design usually brings better rigidity, a smoother ride, and improved crash protection compared to traditional body-on-frame vans.

The Urbania Deluxe now replaces the outgoing Urbania as Force Motors’ flagship offering for operators, corporates, and hospitality fleets that shuttle passengers who expect more than just a functional ride.

What’s New Under The Hood

The new Urbania Deluxe is powered by a 2.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel engine derived from Mercedes-Benz engineering, tuned to deliver 100 kW (134 HP) of power and 350 Nm of torque. Force Motors says the upgrade is aimed squarely at improved pickup and smoother, more effortless drivability, which matters a great deal in a vehicle that is frequently loaded with passengers and luggage.

This engine sits at the heart of Force Motors’ broader engineering credibility. The company already manufactures engines for every Mercedes-Benz car and SUV built in India, and its Chennai plant builds engines to BMW’s standards for every BMW made in the country. That kind of manufacturing pedigree is unusual for an Indian van maker, and it shows up directly in what powers the Urbania Deluxe.

A Cabin Built To Feel Premium, Not Just Practical

Step inside and the change is immediate. The Urbania Deluxe gets a new premium interior theme with leatherette seats, matching upholstery, and wood-finish flooring, a combination usually reserved for luxury coaches rather than shared vans. Every passenger also gets car-like 3-point seat belts, a detail that sounds small until you consider how many shared vans still rely on basic lap belts.

Technology gets a serious bump too. There is a TFT instrument cluster (a digital display that replaces traditional analogue dials, showing real-time trip data, alerts, and driver assistance information) paired with a customised 23 cm (9-inch) HD touchscreen infotainment system. The touchscreen brings smartphone connectivity, both online and offline navigation, an HD reverse camera, voice alerts, and hands-free Bluetooth calling.

Comfort touches continue with a power-operated sliding footstep for easier boarding, new 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8-speaker Digital Theatre System (DTS) for cabin audio, and illuminated USB Type-A and Type-C charging ports across every row of seating.

Safety Gets A Proper Upgrade

Force Motors has stacked the Urbania Deluxe with a genuine safety package rather than a checkbox list. Beyond the 3-point seat belts for every seat, the van comes with driver and co-driver airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, and a set of electronic safety systems worth understanding:

Safety FeatureWhat It Actually Does
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)Detects loss of traction and automatically applies braking to individual wheels to keep the van stable during sudden manoeuvres
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)Prevents wheels from locking up during hard braking, so the driver retains steering control
EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution)Adjusts braking force between front and rear wheels based on load and road conditions
ETDC (Engine Drag Torque Control)Prevents wheel lock-up caused by sudden deceleration or downshifting on slippery surfaces

For a vehicle that regularly carries eight or more passengers, this combination genuinely raises the safety bar for the segment.

Ownership Support: Force Care

Force Motors is backing the Urbania Deluxe with a program it calls Force Care. It includes the company’s i-Pulse telematics solution for fleet tracking, a 5-year or 5 lakh km warranty, a separate 3-year warranty on all sensors, and 3 years of Roadside Assistance (RSA). For fleet operators, this kind of long-horizon backup can matter as much as the features on the spec sheet.

Variants, Seating, And Pricing

The Urbania Deluxe will be offered in three wheelbases and eight seating layouts, spanning 9+D to 16+D configurations, giving operators flexibility depending on route length and passenger volume. Prices start at ₹28.7 lakh (ex-showroom), positioning the Deluxe firmly above mainstream shared-mobility vans and closer to premium coach territory.

DetailSpecification
Engine2.6L, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, Mercedes-derived
Power100 kW (134 HP)
Torque350 Nm
Seating range9+D to 16+D
Wheelbase optionsThree
Wheels16-inch alloy
Infotainment23 cm (9-inch) HD touchscreen
Warranty5 years / 5 lakh km
Starting price₹28.7 lakh (ex-showroom)

Who Should Actually Care About This Launch

The Urbania Deluxe is not aimed at individual car buyers. It is built for corporate shuttle fleets, hotel and hospitality transport, airport transfer operators, and tour and travel companies that need to move groups of people while offering a travel experience that feels closer to business class than a standard staff bus. If your business runs a fleet of shared vehicles and passenger experience is part of your pitch, this is the kind of upgrade worth evaluating against your current lineup.

Accessories Worth Considering For Fleet Vans

Since the Urbania Deluxe is a commercial vehicle sold through Force Motors’ dealer network rather than an e-commerce listing, direct purchase links are not applicable here. Fleet operators and drivers running vehicles like this typically invest in a set of practical accessories to round out the ownership experience. Here are a few categories worth checking:

AccessoryWhy It HelpsWhere To Check
Dashboard cameraRecords trip footage for safety and dispute resolutionCheck options on Amazon
Digital tyre pressure gaugeKeeps tyre health in check across long routesCheck options on Amazon
Vehicle first aid kitMandatory good practice for passenger vehiclesCheck options on Amazon
USB car charger with multiple portsBackup charging alongside the van’s built-in portsCheck options on Amazon
Seat cushion for long drivesAdded comfort for drivers on extended shiftsCheck options on Amazon

The Bottom Line

The Urbania Deluxe is Force Motors’ clearest statement yet that shared mobility does not have to mean a bare-bones ride. Between the Mercedes-derived engine, the leatherette-and-wood cabin, the full electronic safety suite, and a genuinely long warranty backed by Force Care, this van is built to compete with premium coaches rather than budget shuttles. At a starting price of ₹28.7 lakh, it is not cheap, but for operators selling a premium travel experience, it looks like a serious upgrade over the outgoing Urbania.