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

- - Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90 (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/92206-tata-merlin-safari-replacement-update-uncovered-pics-pg-90-a-2.html)

Quote:

theMAG

: This seems to be an aesthetically modified version of the current Safari.

The body shell definitely looks new. The one quirk is the head-lights, though it seems to look ok in a specific angle.

Looks like our scoopmaster Sidindica has finally found some competition.:D

BTW, kudos to TATA for NOT putting their signature grille in this one.
The name Merlin is very uninspiring for a SUV/CO.
Just my 2c.

I kind of feel that the grill is very SUMO'ish ! Is it only me? Though there are lots of guys who see resemblence to range rover, I am just not able to see it ! please:

I could make out that the ORVM is a straight lift from the existing safari.

Anyone could tell me why the bumpers are black? And I see that it extends to the side as well ! I thought test mules usually are fully loaded versions and not the lower variants ! Dont think this is a top variant as well !

And when is it going to be out?

I think this is the Sumo replacement. It does not seem to have any character to replace Safari.

However, this does seem like a very good replacement for Sumo.

Sensational scoop there, congrats!

Merlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures. Geoffrey combined existing stories of Myrddin Wyllt (Merlinus Caledonensis), a North Brythonic prophet and madman with no connection to King Arthur, with tales of the Romano-British war leader Ambrosius Aurelianus to form the composite figure he called Merlin Ambrosius (Welsh: Myrddin Emrys).

Hello everyone

I'm glad you all liked the scoop. Some pointers i found out are :

It does not have black bumpers. This is the test car and hence it has been masked.

Also found out that the Safari will not be discontinued and will go through a cosmetic change for 2011. I being a Safari owner would hate to see it go of the air.

It has projector headlights but no news of an HID.

The grill has a little similarity to the Aria and the wheels are also the same.

It will feature ABS/EBD and airbags.

Thats all I know for now. I will update you if I get any more information.
I cant reveal the source or the place of the pic. I hope you guys understand.

@sandeepmdas - No completetion bro. Got them from someone as they know I own a Safari and wanted me to check them out.

Cheers

So this is the Safari Refresh. Dashboard looks same as of Safari and mirrors too. Side profile little changed with respect to Safari. With this HID it looks meaner and more rugged. Great Scoop and we want more.

Thanks for sharing the pictures. It seems that the Safari will soldier on for a while with some tweaks here and there. If they can somehow up the game in the fit and finish department (unlikely in the case of external finish), perhaps lift fittings from the Aria for the interiors, the Safari has some more life in her.
Taking the cue from Ashutosh, and people talking about the Range Rover'esque styling cues, here a quick edit of the image:

This seems like a new car, wider and lower than the Safari which is narrow and high. The new one suggests more stability. I am curious to see the whole car.

This doesn't look like a superficial Safari refresh honestly, at least I can't make out from the pic. There is another thread on the forum highlighting the need for a smaller more reasonably priced suv, the Toyota Rav4 kind of car, this may just fit the bill.

Great scoop tusharsethi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anujmishra (Post 2141791)

Even I think it is a face-lifted version of the current gen Safari than an all-new one. It could be called the 'Safari Merlin" like the Sumo Grande.

Quote:

Originally Posted by condor (Post 2141700)

The body shell definitely looks new. The one quirk is the head-lights, though it seems to look ok in a specific angle.

Look at the greenhouse and the shape becomes all too familiar.

actually many earlier gen aircraft came powered with Rolls Royce Merlin engines.:)

but this is a great scoop indeed
hope it come through quickly into the marketplace!

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINUMON (Post 2141705)

Nice scoop there! It reminds me of a pickup, though.

Merlin - The erstwhile Tata Airlines owned an aircraft by that name, I learn.