Tata Safari Storme unveiled at 2012 New Delhi Auto Show; Images and Specification included

New Tata Safari Storme

The new-generation Tata Safari Storme makes a bold statement with its refined exteriors. The vehicle exteriors have been stylised with new front grill, side cladding, new projector headlamps and all new rear looks. The bonnet now boasts a 'power bulge' which gives the Storme a sportier look. The aerodynamically designed spoilers, new pull-type door handles and ergonomically designed side foot-steps ensure easy ingress and egress. The tailgate trim comes in an all-new guise with an ergonomically designed grab handle and the spare tyre is now located underneath the vehicle. The new chrome-tipped twin exhausts add to the sporty demeanour of the vehicle and the newly designed roof-rails add to the muscular look of the vehicle, with just that hint of its adventurous nature.

The luxurious and airy beige interiors, give the vehicle a spacious and opulent feel. There is ample leg space and headroom to accommodate the family and plenty of luggage space. The tilt-adjust (collapsible steering column), reclining front bucket seats with fore and aft adjustment position and lumbar support ensure fatigue free long drives. The integrated 12V-gadget charging points are available on first, second and third row seats. The new vehicle is designed keeping in mind the multiple storage requirements of customers. The vehicle is equipped with dual-AC with a separate integrated roof mounted blower for rear passengers. The leather wrapped steering wheel, an ergonomically shaped gear knob with chrome highlights, engaging wooden accents on the dashboard and door trims, a new instrument cluster, chrome-lined speaker grills and inside door handles, all go a long way in enhancing the interior's looks and making it feel luxurious.

Powered by a 2.2L, 16Valve, DiCOR engine with a Variable Geometry Turbo, the Tata Safari Storme makes a potent 140ps of power and 320nm of torque. The engine is mated to a smooth-shifting 5-speed manual transmission (G-76 MarkII). For those adventure seekers who prefer to make their own road, the Tata Safari Storme has a generous 200mm of ground clearance and offers the convenience of electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF)- for those sticky off-road conditions. (ESOF enables switching from 2WD to 4WD even while the vehicle is on the move.)

The best-in-class turning circle radius of 5.4 metres, makes driving and manoeuvring in tight confines, much easier in the new Safari. The new rack & pinion steering system also offers excellent feel and accuracy, making for a more engaging and confident driving experience. Reverse parking system with audible and graphical representation on the IRVM (antiglare), electrically operated powerfold ORVM with turn signal enhance the driving experience. The Tata Safari Storme comes with host of safety features. The rigid ladder frame construction with hydro-formed long members has improved the structural strength of the vehicle. Crumple zone absorbs the impact of frontal collision and keeps the passenger cabin safe. Side intrusion beams on all four doors protects passengers from a side impact and the collapsible steering column reduces the severity of the impact transmitted to the cabin, especially to the driver. Dual SRS Airbags, will keep customers safe in the unfortunate event of a head-on collision.

The new Tata Safari Storme comes with disc brakes on all four wheels and has 4 channel ABS with EBD, which helps in keeping the vehicle under control, during emergency braking conditions. In addition, the vehicle has been designed with advanced safety features like the Inertia Switch and an auto engine immobiliser. In an event of a crash, the Inertia Switch automatically cuts off the fuel supply to the engine and unlocks all the doors and also switches on the hazard warning light to warn other road users.

All in all, the new Tata Safari Storme is an epitome of space, style and performance. The Tata Safari Storme range will be launched in the next financial year.

Below is the specification sheet of the new Tata Safari Storme:

Specification sheet of Tata Safari Storme

More Images of Tata Safari Storme:

Rear view of New Tata Safari Storme

Tata Safari Storme

Source: Tata Motors

Tata Safari Storme SUV: More images surface and along with it new details!

Come 2012, Tata will launch an upgraded Safari in the Indian market. Just days ago, we learnt that the Merlin name was more of a codename for the refreshed Safari project and that Tata Motors could settle on the Safari storm moniker for the new Safari, making us wonder whether the existing Safari would continue to sell as a cut price variant. In the past, we’ve seen this happen in many cases like the Ford Fiesta staying on as the Classic when the all new Fiesta arrived and the Tata Indica continuing to do duty with the Vista being positioned as a more upmarket variant.

Tata Safari Storm's Rear

From the images our friends at GoaOnWheels are carrying of the Safari Storm, it is evident that the SUV that is being seen in the images will be what the final production version will look like. While the Safari Storm will get a new dashboard and interiors, the rear end will dump the spare wheel from the tailgate. Instead, it seems like the spare wheel will find a place inside the car, under the boot. Tata has gone this way in the past with the Aria and the Safari Storm will follow in this direction. The rear hatch lid gets a chrome strip running across its breadth while a fiber insert, a-la-Indica Vista is another new visual element.

Tata Safari Storm Side Profile

Other details like twin exhaust, new tail lamps and a more curvier profile are things that we’ve already been witness to courtesy the numerous spyshots of the Safari Storm that have been surfacing on the interweb at regular intervals. All in all, the Safari Storm still manages to retain the now iconic Safari silhouette although the front end also sees a big change with new headlamps, a chrome strip on the bonnet and a new grille apart from new bumpers and a bonnet. The engine will remain the same 2.2 Liter DICOR turbo diesel unit. The 2012 Tata Safari Storm will be showcased at the upcoming 2012 Indian Auto Expo.

Source: ICB

Tata Safari Merlin Spied Yet Again; And name could be Safari STORME!

Tata Safari STORM

The Tata Merlin has been spotted yet again, in what appears to be a shoot for a commercial in Pune. This is a big giveaway that the launch of the Merlin could happen very soon and that it could be called the Safari Storm. Also, the Safari Storm will be showcased at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo by Tata Motors. The Tata Safari Storm is an upgraded Safari,and it remains to be seen whether it will be  positioned above the Safari, as Tata’s answer to Mahindra’s big selling XUV500 Crossover.

The Storm will retain the 2.2 Liter DICOR engine producing 140 Bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of peak torque. Transmission duties will be handled by a reworked 5 speed manual transmission and the four wheel drive option along with the low ratio will be made available on the top end variant of the Storm. What has changed on the Safari Storm visually lies in the cosmetics and the interiors of the SUV.

A new dashboard design with plenty of faux wood for effect is what the Storm will get along with a step up in the quality of the interiors. Revised headlamps and a front end design to make the Storm look more contemporary are the main changes up front while the rear also sees cosmetic changes to distinguish the Storm from the Safari. So, it seems like the Merlin name, which was used mainly for product development will be dumped in favor of the Tata Safari Storm, or perhaps even Tata Storm.

Prospective Safari Storm buyers would hope that Tata Motors has managed to sort out all the niggles that the current Safari has as that perhaps is the only way that the Safari Storm could mount a strong challenge to the Mahindra XUV500 Crossover, whose bookings are set to reopen in January 2012.



Source: ICB