[AutoNoob]

Originally Posted by gshanky

Is there any reason why you guys think that sumo grande is not an off-shoot of xenon?

Here is an excerpt from wiki the wiki page is here - Tata Xenon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yes, there are definite reasons for that and I know things much close than most of fellow BHPians. Therefore I said "gshanky is almost correct. The word is "almsot", rest is for your imagination."

I hope you can read between the lines.

[shortbread]

Its ridiculous to expect an SUV of the Xenon platform to replace the Safari. The Xenon/Grande is based on a reworked Sumo chassis and therefore a more cruder platform with its rear leaf suspension set up etc. I dont think Tata will be making anymore UVs on this chassis/platform which will literally mean taking a step back.

The Safari still has life left in it especially taking into context the Indian market. The Indian Pajero is two decades old. If Tata can refresh the looks and get its quality right the Merlin will become a good product and even better value for money. A comparable rival SUV will still be a good couple of lacs away.

I believe the future of Tata UVs will depend a lot on where JLR decides the all new Defender will be built. If India this platform should be shared by Tata as well to save costs. Of course all this is still some time away.

[AutoNoob]

Originally Posted by shortbread

Its ridiculous to expect an SUV of the Xenon platform to replace the Safari.

I think you misunderstood the point. We were talking about Sumo Grande as an UV, sharing same/ similar platform as Xenon. Safari was never mentioned in this context.

Safari Merlin shares platform with ARIA.

[troublemaker]

Originally Posted by shortbread

Its ridiculous to expect an SUV of the Xenon platform to replace the Safari. The Xenon/Grande is based on a reworked Sumo chassis and therefore a more cruder platform with its rear leaf suspension set up etc. I dont think Tata will be making anymore UVs on this chassis/platform which will literally mean taking a step back.

The Safari still has life left in it especially taking into context the Indian market. The Indian Pajero is two decades old. If Tata can refresh the looks and get its quality right the Merlin will become a good product and even better value for money. A comparable rival SUV will still be a good couple of lacs away.

I believe the future of Tata UVs will depend a lot on where JLR decides the all new Defender will be built. If India this platform should be shared by Tata as well to save costs. Of course all this is still some time away.

" There is also talk of Tata sharing the Freelander platform for its own SUVs in the future." (Made-in-India Freelander this month | Autocar India)

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by troublemaker

" There is also talk of Tata sharing the Freelander platform for its own SUVs in the future." (Made-in-India Freelander this month | Autocar India)

Nope ,please let Tata UVs be BOF proper SUVs than crossovers.
Even their said crossover(Aria) have SUV underpinnings.

[vinit_relan]

Just spoke to one of the Tata guys....The back wheel will not be there in Tata Merlin. Old Tata safari willl remain as it is. More features are getting added. Automatic Climate control may be one of those. The headlamps would be similar to Skoda.

Let's see if this is all true.

[throttleking]

Originally Posted by sushantr5

Lucky to catch Merlin stopped on highway. Despite strong oppose from driver I could manage two photos of exterior. Saw interior of Merlin. Definitely Leap ahead current gen safari. Interior is slick, does not have huge car feel inside. Lot of Vinyl Textures over dashboard. Few observations like Automatic Climate control was not present and no music system. I could not manage photo of interiors, but had very good look of it despite very strong oppose from driver.

I had to flee the scene because five drivers gathered by the time.

Enjoy the pics.

The spot is a small restaurant ahead of toll naka and just before the Kambhatki Ghat start right?

I spotted Aria and Diesel Nano there many times.

[sushantr5]

Originally Posted by throttleking

The spot is a small restaurant ahead of toll naka and just before the Kambhatki Ghat start right?

I spotted Aria and Diesel Nano there many times.

Yes, This is the spot.

[throttleking]

Originally Posted by sushantr5

Yes, This is the spot.

yeah, good place to hang-out in case you want spot Tata's new vehicle scoops there. Good catch!!!

How is the overall road presence as compared to current Safari? does the rear look appealing without the spare wheel on the tail gate?

[sushantr5]

Originally Posted by throttleking

yeah, good place to hang-out in case you want spot Tata's new vehicle scoops there. Good catch!!!

How is the overall road presence as compared to current Safari? does the rear look appealing without the spare wheel on the tail gate?

Yes you are right, this is good place to have a stop on road and with very good chances of seeing all future Tata lineup.

I would say presence was awesome and I did not feel something missing like spare wheel on tail-gate. Merlin definitely has better presence. Current gen safari feels more lengthier due to spare wheel. But this one looks more balanced and less bulky. Interior is also well done.

[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by vinit_relan

........Old Tata safari willl remain as it is....

If the above is true, wouldn't it be too crowded a portfolio for TML - Sumo Grande, Safari, Merlin, Aria (base variant) - in a not very big price range? Would be interesting to see their marketing strategy in this case.

Cheers,
Vikram

[shortbread]

Tata has made it quite evident that they want to claw back market share in the UV segment. Although there is some overlap most of the models fall in different price ranges.

[vinit_relan]

The executive said....Safari will remain as Classic Safari and Merlin will get added into their portfolio. Practically speaking, it will be interesting to see how do they place Merlin between Safari and Aria from cost perspective.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by shortbread

Tata has made it quite evident that they want to claw back market share in the UV segment. Although there is some overlap most of the models fall in different price ranges.

They will hire sales personnel from Maruti Suzuki. The only difference is with MS you sold small hatch with same engine under 6lac and here its SUV with similar engine from 6 lac up.

Originally Posted by vinit_relan

The executive said....Safari will remain as Classic Safari and Merlin will get added into their portfolio. Practically speaking, it will be interesting to see how do they place Merlin between Safari and Aria from cost perspective.

Thats a good move IMHO. And they should price classic in the M2Di price range for LX.

[vinit_relan]

As per the info available, the engine of Merlin will be of Aria.