TATA SAFARI MERLIN SUV CAUGHT IN ALL ITS UNCLOAKED GLORY

Merlingate would be an understatement for all the images we’ve been getting for the last few months  of the Tata Safari Merlin, sorry the Tata Merlin SUV like Tata motors would like to christen its latest SUV. After pretty much having a fair idea as to how the Merlin SUV will look, here is an image that has popped up on TheAutomotiveIndia, which shows the Merlin SUV in all its uncloaked glory.

The Tata Merlin SUV will sit just above the Tata Safari and is said to be Tata Motors’ standby option until an all new Tata Safari platform is evolved. Coming to the Tata Merlin, like most of the Tata Products which have sought a clear distinction from older Tata products, the Merlin SUV too is expected to dump the Safari moniker, thus simply sticking to the Tata Merlin SUV name.

Looks wise, the Merlin SUV takes a lot of inspiration from the various Land Rovers. From the flared headlamps housing projectors on the flatter front to the flattish rear, Land Rover’s design philosophy clearly seems to be inspiring Tata Motors’ design team, which isn’t a bad thing though.

All in all, the Merlin looks quite fresh given that the platform which it is based on is more than a decade old. Mechanically, the Merlin SUV is expected to come with the same 2.2 Liter DICOR engine generating 140 Bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of peak torque, with the big change being that the Merlin might get the dual mass flywheel that makes for a smoother engine and better gear shifting.

The Tata Safari Merlin is expected to retain the 7 seat layout with the two sideways facing jump seats housed in the boot of the SUV. While one hopes for improvements in fit and finish on the interiors, it would be interesting to see whether Tata actually steps up the gas on the interiors front.

The Tata Merlin SUV might be launched as early as the 27th of September to counter the Mahindra XUV500 SUV even as the Indian festive season looms. If this launch date isn’t when Tata will launch the Merlin SUV, there is a fat chance that the launch may well head to the 2012 Indian Auto Expo. That said, we’re betting on the former date for now. Watch this space!

Source: IndianCarsBikes 

Scoop: Tata Safari Merlin Spied Inside Out by IAB

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.

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.

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

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:

Tata Safari Merlin Interiors

• 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

Tata Safari Merlin Interiors

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?

 

Source: IndianAutosBlog

Tata Safari Merlin launch on Sep 27th 2011?

We have heard from some sources that the New Tata Safari (Tata Merlin) will be launched on 27th Sep 2011. Earlier we heard that Tata Safari Merlin will be launched around end of September. (Read: Tata Merlin (New Tata Safari) may be launched around September End.)

Important Points:

1. We also came to know that the Merlin will be priced starting from 10.5L Ex-Showroom. 
2. There will be two variants of Tata Merlin which will replace Tata Safari GX and Tata Safari VX. 
3. The top end Merlin will overlap with Arix 4x2 Pleasure. 
4. All versions of Tata Merlin will have read disc-brakes.
5. Tata Merlin will co-exist with Tata Safari for at least an year. 
6. Tata Safari GX and Tata Safari VX will be discontinued with the launch of Tata Merlin.

Hope the rumor about Tata Merlin launch by September end comes out true. What do you guys says?

Tata Merlin (New Tata Safari) may be launched around September End

 

With the Force One SUV already launched and the Mahindra W201 World SUV set for a launch around the end of September, Tata Motors Limited is all set to usher its own challenger in the Indian premium SUV space with the Tata Safari Merlin SUV. According to reliable sources, this SUV is all set to be launched at the end of September and from the sheer timing of the launch, Tata seems to ensuring that the Mahindra W201 World SUV gets some stiff competition.  

As has been the trend with Tata cars recently, The Tata Safari Merlin SUV might be christened as Tata Merlin to ensure some differentiation for the new SUV model from the Tata Safari brand. This practice was followed for the Tata Manza and then for the recently launched facelift of the Tata Vista. Similarly, the Tata Safari Merlin, which essentially is an upgrade to the Tata Safari SUV, might be called the Merlin. Coming to what is new on the Tata Safari Merlin, first of all you get completely worked on looks.

The Merlin SUV will feature a lot of cues from Land Rovers including the flatter front end with flared headlamps. The rear end too is a marked departure from the Safari along with the disappearance of the spare wheel, which perhaps finds it way into the boot. The engine though will continue to remain the tried and tested 2.2 Liter DICOR turbodiesel unit producing 140 Bhp and 320 Nm. On the inside, the interiors are said to be a significant step up from the Tata Safari to make for a more premium look and feel. A few of the Aria’s interior bits might just make an appearance in the Merlin SUV.

The Merlin will be loaded with all the other bells and whistles along with ABS, EBD and Airbags being the de-facto safety bits on the SUV. The pricing of the Merlin will just begin where the Tata Safari SUV’s range ends and being typically Tata, expect it to be very competitive at just a shade under or over INR 10 Lakhs. The Merlin SUV is expected to be available both in 2 wheel drive and four wheel drive options although an automatic gearbox is still not a part of the equation.

Source: Tata Safari Merlin SUV to be launched around end September!