Re: Tata Safari Storme : Auto Expo 2012 Quote:
Originally Posted by jkdas If the handling. built quality, braking is improved, I will buy one again!
Mine has crossed 96k and each time I floor it, priceless!
I guess we all are used to the decade old design; many of us grew up seeing it. Some expected very aggressive design coz X500 design comes to your mind when you think big SUV. |
Under the hood its the same old safari. They "may" have tweaked the suspension, but I seriously doubt there is any major change. I had taken a look under the car, and the only change seems to be the skid plates. They are much better quality now. Quote:
Originally Posted by jaysmokesleaves The new 2011 & 2012 Landcruiser Prado , FJ cruiser and a few others still have the spare wheel mounted on the rear door. Its not about Macho-ism. Its about the additional utility they get from the extra 'FSI' which allows them to give an extra fuel tank which is necessary since the range on the single tank in most of these suv's isnt much to write home about. I could add pics but no point going OT. But its good to have better rear visibility on the Safari now.
What if the passenger wants to change a cd when the car is moving?
Its not for Tata to decide who will change the cd... in that case they might as well move the cd player to the passenger side and give driver controls on the steering. There can be no excuse for poor ergonomics when they take this long to re-develop a product.
I also notice the cup holders have been moved forward. What needs to be seen if these can be used ergonomically without having to stretch out.
+1 to both points.
I will however wait for them to sort out the new niggles for a year before I make my pitch.
Glad to see the 4wd low ratio gearbox has been retained.
I also hope that with this new iteration they have managed to improve quality of mechanical and electrical/electronic components and subsequent reliability.
I would have loved to have seen all disc brakes on all four wheels.
The reduced turning radius is a welcome change.
I also wish the backrest on the second row was adjustable.
17" rims are welcome.
The chocolate brown color looks nice too.
I also feel that TML is working on a new body for the Safari. The Storme is a temporary filler in between.
Considering that they have used the Aria mechanical underpinnings, they probably did not have enough time to come up with a new design body for the Safari.
I think we should see a totally new Safari with a new body(JLR inspired design) on frame(Aria) in about 12-18 months. And they will retain the existing Safari Storme and pitch the new one a notch higher. |
I think the new platform we talk about is the X2. XUV kind of put water on Tata plans. They may have planned to slot the X2 platformed SUV above aria in the 15-17L range.
As for CD, now you can put CD in third gear. So no worries there Quote:
Originally Posted by gowda79 That you shall understand when you travel to the North where you will have to cross many hilly region and you will not find petrol bunks for kms. | Quote:
Originally Posted by ebonho I have been traveling on two wheels in the North (as well as most of India) extensively for close to 20 years now.
Is there any place in our country which does not have a functioning fuel pump for more than 365 kms?
Which means the current Safari on a single tank can do a round-trip of such a sector, without refueling at the turnaround point. |
I think 65L is good enough, but 85L is better. On some circuits I do, I need to have 1000kms range. With 9kmpl average at that altitude, this requires 105L of fuel. With a 80 L tank, I just need to carry one jerrycan, instead of 2 Quote:
Originally Posted by ebonho Just spoke to someone in the ARAI. Seems the launch will not be before March-April. Also seems like there is something that TATA is still working on with regard to the suspension of the SUV. |
I hope they have done something about the suspension. From what I saw, all changes appear purely cosmetic. It does not even get the dual mass flywheel engine.
According to the gents standing there(so take it with a pinch of salt), the safari StormE and the old safari will be sold side by side.
The StormE will have EX4x4, definitely, and may cost around 40K more.
The big thing which kind of got lost, is that Tata is going to start Tata customization, just like Mahindra. So that butch safari with winch and ARB bumpers, you can actually buy that. I, for one, would love an ARB bumper on the front. |