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| Tata Safari Merlin |
After the Aria 4X2 and the Vista upgrade, the next big launch from
Tata Motors is going to be the Safari Merlin. Ever since the Safari was
launched in 1998, it has achieved a cult SUV status like the Scorpio
from Mahindra.
The Tata Safari was always an aspirational product from Tata Motors.
You didn’t buy the Safari because it fitted your budget, but because you
wanted one badly.
It was also a popular car for the who’s who of the country such as
the politicians and film stars. But over the years, the Safari aged and
the sales started dwindling. So Tata Motors has decided to breathe new
life in the Safari with the Merlin.
If you have seen the test mule you are not sure whether the Merlin is
a whole new Safari built from grounds up or is just a major facelift of
the current Safari.
However, the test mules of the Merlin are being tested for months
now. No manufacturer would test a facelift so vigorously. Tata Motors
always wanted to use the Aria’s X2 platform for the new Safari so there
is a high chance that this is a whole new Safari rather than just a
facelift.
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| Tata Safari Merlin |
Exteriors:
Let’s start with the exteriors first. The new Safari doesn’t seem to
be any bigger, wider or longer than the earlier Safari. The front
reveals a rather conventional boxy design than a curvy one. A close
photo of the headlamps reveals it will have a single projector lamp and
not a dual one.
The headlamp design itself has been completely changed. The old
Safari had rectangular headlamps. The new one will feature a swept back
design. There is no smiling grille which is a signature element on Tata
products. Plus, there are also turn indicators on the OVRMs which is a
safety feature more than anything else.
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| Tata Safari Merlin |
Although this test mule is covered in heavy camouflage, the rear reveals
something every interesting. Notice the design of the tail lamps, the
alloy wheels and the trapezoid exhaust pipes. Don’t they look very
familiar to this undisguised image that was leaked back in July? Read Full story:
Tata Merlin (New Tata Safari) may be launched around September End
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| Tata Safari Merlin |
This means that the image which was leaked in July (above) was of the
actual Merlin before the psychedelic paint scheme. The back also reveals
a tiny spoiler and a wiper to get a clear view while reversing. Tata
should continue offering the rear view camera and sensors.
Interiors:
Now we come to the juicy part – the interiors. Yes, this image clearly
demonstrates what the new Safari interiors has in store for us. As you
can see, the Safari interiors are NOT inspired by the Aria and are more
or less the same like the old Safari. A few things that we have noticed
are:
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| Tata Safari Merlin Interiors
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- The steering wheel will be leather wrapped.
- The new Safari will have Airbags like the old one. Notice the new gear lever and console.
- The stereo in this test mule looks like an aftermarket pioneer unit.
- There is no low ratio gearbox.
- There is a storage pocket above the central AC vents.
- It will not have a dead pedal
- It may not have steering mounted controls
- The rear seats have been redesigned
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| Tata Safari Merlin Interiors
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However, it still remains a mystery whether the Safari Merlin will be
positioned above, below or at par with the Aria 4×2. There is a rumor
that the Safari Merlin will be launched on the very next day the wraps
are taken off the Mahindra XUV500. Read Full story:
Tata Safari Merlin launch on Sep 27th 2011?
Does this mean that the Safari has its eyes set on Mahindra’s global
SUV? Or will Tata Motors try to undercut the Mahindra XUV500?
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