Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

[jaysmokesleaves]

Originally Posted by simply_sunny001

and looks like they have made few changes to the stance on safari to acccomodate the 5th tyre and now it looks a bit elevated from rear.

It seems the Aria chassis has replaced the old Safari chassis.. which has allowed the spare to go under the chassis. So i think they might have moved the fuel tank below the rear seat in the wheelbase on the left side.
It also seems to have a refined/retuned 2.2 Dicor engine and gearbox as per Aria specs and disc brakes all around. ABS and EBD might be standard across the range.
I hope they have improved the shut lines on the doors and sheet metal and completely changed the interiors.
I would still prefer the new Aria chassis over the earlier Safari chassis. Definitely some weight saving measures in there, apart from accommodating the spare down under.
I hope they have not tampered with(reducing) the 4wd capability of this vehicle. Its a superb performer offroad.
The higher wheel wells at the rear look nice and are consistent with the front, compared to the existing Safari.

[himanshugoswami]

@Jay,

from what I have heard, the Merlin will have the Aria drivetrain, which mean no low range gearbox. What that also means is a duam mass flywheel.

[julupani]

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

@Jay,

from what I have heard, the Merlin will have the Aria drivetrain, which mean no low range gearbox. What that also means is a duam mass flywheel.

Complete drivetrain?? Including the "Adapterra" AWD system??

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by safari_lover

Excellent!! So finally we have a date. Let's wait till 27th to see what is in store for us

The XUV500 thread, speculates the probable launch date as Sep26. I doubt launch dates of XUV500 and Merlin will be that close. So one will be wrong, not sure which one.

[ebonho]

Front facing 3rd row, if really true, is great news! Looking forward to the launch. And praying for a miracle with regard to pricing.

[jaysmokesleaves]

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

@Jay,

from what I have heard, the Merlin will have the Aria drivetrain, which mean no low range gearbox. What that also means is a duam mass flywheel.

Losing the low range gearbox is definitely bad news. Then its like buying an Aria on stilts with an old design body.
How does the dual mass flywheel help??

[HappyWheels]

Why would TATA look at another MUV when they have ARIA (referring to AWD sans the low range)?

Can understand this with M&M doing this with W201 since they do not have a AWD in their line up (provided it does not have a low range), but why TATA? If they do this, then the brand image of Safari as a "Make your own road" vehicle will take a beating. Forget about calling it "Merlin" or "Arthur" - if it looks like a Safari, it is a Safari!

Hope the speculations are wrong.

EDIT:
Read here that one of the Merlin development team member mentioning that Merlin has been bench marked against the Fortuner; if that is the case, will it be AWD + low range?

Even better will be provide options from all end, AWD or 2WD option like the ARIA and in AWD, 4HH, 4HL and 4LL options. Wishful thinking?

[simply_sunny001]

Originally Posted by jaysmokesleaves

How does the dual mass flywheel help??

Dual Mass Flywheel absorbs vibrations a lot and results in better shifting of gears and better driving pleasure.

i am not sure if it saves some fuel too.

[harishpr]

Been following this thread closely for the last several days. Im confused with the following -

What are we discussing here ? Merlin Or Facelift Safari
Is Merlin the name for just-to-be launched Safari OR is it for the all new Safari sometime in 2013 ?

Im confused and found lot of them to be in same boat

[harimakesh]

Originally Posted by harishpr

Been following this thread closely for the last several days. Im confused with the following -

What are we discussing here ? Merlin Or Facelift Safari
Is Merlin the name for just-to-be launched Safari OR is it for the all new Safari sometime in 2013 ?

Im confused and found lot of them to be in same boat

It is the refreshed face lift for the Safari Code named Merlin.
Not sure the final name will remain Merlin. Fingers crossed waiting for the formal launch.

[mpescatori]

Originally Posted by jaysmokesleaves

Losing the low range gearbox is definitely bad news. Then its like buying an Aria on stilts with an old design body.
How does the dual mass flywheel help??

My fears exactly. If the Merlin loses "4L", it will be "just another SUV, but too big" and for that size body customers will be looking at either Japanese/Korean production
(Kia Sportage/ Nissan XTrail / Toyota RAV4) or a 4x4 with low gears.

As for the dual-mass flywheel, the facts are plain and simple: it is cheaper to manufacture, period.
If the engine is properly balanced, you don't need a dual mass flywheel.
If the engine is poorly manufactured and the dual mass flywheel absorbs the vibrations, those very same vibrations will cause the elastic layer in the dual mass flywheel to disintegrate, which means that you will be left stranded with a perfectly useless transmission.
AND, by the way, a dual mass flywheel is not only EX$PEN$IVE, it is also a devil to replace...

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

Why would TATA look at another MUV when they have ARIA (referring to AWD sans the low range)?

Can understand this with M&M doing this with W201 since they do not have a AWD in their line up (provided it does not have a low range), but why TATA? If they do this, then the brand image of Safari as a "Make your own road" vehicle will take a beating. Forget about calling it "Merlin" or "Arthur" - if it looks like a Safari, it is a Safari!

Hope the speculations are wrong.

EDIT:
Read here that one of the Merlin development team member mentioning that Merlin has been bench marked against the Fortuner; if that is the case, will it be AWD + low range?

Even better will be provide options from all end, AWD or 2WD option like the ARIA and in AWD, 4HH, 4HL and 4LL options. Wishful thinking?

Your thoughts reflect my feelings from a few pages back.

Ideally, Merlin could happily be the AWD SUV with 5-speed box and TOD;
but then "old Safari" should stay listed, with LOW GEARS, until New Safari comes along.

Else, many potential buyers will either hunt for a recent, well maintained USED safari, or go to another manufacturer.

[mannubhai]

In the mean time price of Safari LX has been slashed by a cool 25k .

[kdeepakk]

seeing the photo on page 57, we dont think there will be a 8 seater, seats are still facing each other on the rear.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by mannubhai

In the mean time price of Safari LX has been slashed by a cool 25k .

Are you sure? See the latest list below (for Bangalore). Also, GX and VX are no longer available in BS3.

[mannubhai]

Originally Posted by cool_dube

Are you sure? See the latest list below (for Bangalore). Also, GX and VX are no longer available in BS3.

Cool_dube, Yes its been slashed. I have got a print out of the new price list from the dealer. Im talking to them for an LX. The OTR in Blore comes to 9.52 Lacs now. I think BS4 is mandatory...