[kaviprem]

^^ I guess, it was leaked already when Param wished someone for "Diwali" in another thread So, it should be just around Diwali and I would expect it to be just prior to Diwali.

Prem.

[Kairalee]

Originally Posted by rrsteer

Apart from some of the already mentioned additions/differences in Merlin compared to current Safari, I hope the Merlin has a tighter turning radius too.

+1 to that.

I seriously don't understand the logic behind having a large turning radius, when the TASS will reduce it for you.

I have got it reduced to a level where I can now take most of the U-turns I've encountered, just as well as most similar sized cars would do. I don't see any deterioration in handling or steering comfort due to this, at high or slow speeds and bad or good roads.

The TASS offered to reduce the turning radius even further, if I agreed to let them cut a bit of the plastics and the some rubber stuff in the wheel well, which I refused of course.

If this can be done by the TASS, its beats me as to why TML does not fix a lower turning radius in the stock vehicle itself

[himanshugoswami]

Damn! this suspense is killing. I really hope teh Merlin is launched no later than Oct first week since i have to finalise my purchase by Mid Oct. Also, hoping for the range to start around 9-9.5L ex showroom!- if not, then I will end up buying a Safari EX from teh present range.......

[rohing]

Originally Posted by rrsteer

Apart from some of the already mentioned additions/differences in Merlin compared to current Safari, I hope the Merlin has a tighter turning radius too.

I have lost count of family/friends/acquaintances chucking the Safari or preferring competition to it for this reason.

+1 to this. In addition, I hope the fuel efficiency numbers improve. I am forced to drive a hatch as Safari/Scorpio's are too expensive to run (~40k km/yr)

My dream come true would a budget suv (safari/scorpio) with basic safety (airbags/abs), basic creature comforts (read NOT bolero) and a yeti/x-trail like mileage. No light at the end of the tunnel as most manufacturers see this as mutually exclusive.

[VeluM]

Originally Posted by Parm

you cant sell two different products by similar names....

Really? Alto & Alto K10 and Fiesta Classic & Fiesta being sold simultaneously today. There are also multitudes in the Indica & Indigo line. I was just asking to confirm whether Merlin is the final production name.

Back to topic:

Safari has been the dream SUV for my family for a while now. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) never been able to buy one. Now that the Merlin is around the corner and I'm a little more educated about Safaris courtesy TBHP, I too wish Tata finally turns out a niggle free (mostly) Merlin. Then we can hope to see it selling in the numbers it deserves.

PS. I see a lot of Safaris in Bangalore, where innumerable one-ways make U-turns inevitable. Must be a humungous pain.

[throttleking]

It is very much possible that Tata will continue to sell Safari and Merlin together, and apparently thats the trend they seem to be following since last few years ex. Indica and Indica Vista, Indigo CS and Manza and I believe they also sold Sumo Victa and Grande together for some time.

[Kairalee]

I am very positive that TML will continue to sell both side by side, but as Tata Safari and Tata Merlin.

The future Safaris will benefit in some way or the other from the advancements made on the Merlin and the Aria and the quality will certainly improve.

...and, there will still be a bunch of loyalists of the Tata Safari....with or without the Tata Merlin.

[Parm]

Originally Posted by VeluM

Really? Alto & Alto K10 and Fiesta Classic & Fiesta being sold simultaneously today. There are also multitudes in the Indica & Indigo line. I was just asking to confirm whether Merlin is the final production name.

Back to topic:

Safari has been the dream SUV for my family for a while now. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) never been able to buy one. Now that the Merlin is around the corner and I'm a little more educated about Safaris courtesy TBHP, I too wish Tata finally turns out a niggle free (mostly) Merlin. Then we can hope to see it selling in the numbers it deserves.

PS. I see a lot of Safaris in Bangalore, where innumerable one-ways make U-turns inevitable. Must be a humungous pain.

Alto and Alto K10, i agree.

But Fiesta Classic and New Fiesta are totally different shapes and people dont get confused looking at the two cars.

with Safari and Merlin being of similar shape profile, same as Alto & Alto K10, most people will get confused and still refer Merlin as Safari and K10 as Alto!

lets hope TATA has learnt a lot in last 10+ years of making Safaris and would now give us a trouble free Merlin!

O.K. TATA.

[simply_sunny001]

Originally Posted by VeluM

PS. I see a lot of Safaris in Bangalore, where innumerable one-ways make U-turns inevitable. Must be a humungous pain.

you get used to and its not that bad after sometime.

Driving Safari in traffic is so much fun and easy due to 2 main reasons:

1. No one cuts you off and you get a gr8 view of the road.

2. Enormous torque is such a boon in stop and go traffic that you just need to lift off clutch, no gear changes.

[Jetblast101]

I just saw on CNBC today that Tata is planning to launch the new version of safari end of september. There was also some info for a launch of an updated Sumo Grande and Indigo around end of November.

[neel385]

^^Hey Jetblast!! If what you say is true, then this is very good news. A lot of us have been waiting like forever for this Merlin to show up!

[himavanth_m]

I just hope the safari in current design stays. From the pics i still prefer the design of current safari. But as other members suggested if they manage a safari minus niggles it would be really good. But the damage is done. Even if Tata manage it, it would be hard to sell more volumes of safari as the damage is done. Similar to low mileage name for Palio even when a good mileage palio 1.2 was released. The name niggles go hand in hand with a safari and the image is difficult to get rid off.

I still think more than 90% of current gen safari sells due to its looks which the Merlin does not have on its side. So they should brand it as a separate vehicle and get rid of the niggles image associated. Since safari is bought by people who take decision from their hearts, the current volumes will not be drastically impacted by a huge margin. ( atleast my heart says so)

[himanshugoswami]

Some update on the Merlin.

DISCLAIMER- this is not from my usual source in ERC, who is someone I rely on. This update is from an owner of a TATA dealership who I know thru a friend- so I have no means of verifying its authenticity

As per this dealer, the Merlin will start from 10.5 L ex-showroom and there will be two variants that will replace the GX and VX Safari.

Launch date will be towards the end of Oct and the top end Merlin will overlap the Aria 4x2 Pleasure.

All versions of Merlin will have rear disc brakes and the Merlin will co-exist with the existing Safari for at leas a year. GX and VX will be discontinued.

[ram_hyundai]

A welcome change for the warhorse.Hope many upgradings to happen in t-bhp from safari to the merlin.Like Mahindras the quality has to be upped to boost sales as well as morale of owners.

ram

[julupani]

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

Some update on the Merlin.

DISCLAIMER- this is not from my usual source in ERC, who is someone I rely on. This update is from an owner of a TATA dealership who I know thru a friend- so I have no means of verifying its authenticity

As per this dealer, the Merlin will start from 10.5 L ex-showroom and there will be two variants that will replace the GX and VX Safari.

Launch date will be towards the end of Oct and the top end Merlin will overlap the Aria 4x2 Pleasure.

All versions of Merlin will have rear disc brakes and the Merlin will co-exist with the existing Safari for at leas a year. GX and VX will be discontinued.

Like had been discussed, Merlin for top variants and Safari for lower variants. And according to your source, and like I had expected, pricing is a complete no change between Safari and Merlin. Present GX is around the 10.5L mark, and the top VX 4x4 is around 12.6 which coincides with Aria 4x2 Pleasure variant.