[KameshR]

Originally Posted by kaks15

...IMHO the new product would not have a giant gap with existing prices, which is good.

Or am I over-analyzing it

I think you have a very valid point there and price could very well be a game changer for Tata. I'm not sure if Tata could afford another lost opportunity in this high stakes game. I firmly believe a marginal (< 5%) OR zero precent price revision.

[condor]

Originally Posted by sarcar

Hmmm.. what is that Innova doing at a Safari ad shoot .

Would belong to the ad agency that is shooting the ad.

[dadu]

Originally Posted by condor

From what my SA's told me, the GB-76 is a family of GB's, and not a unique "model". Even my Sumo has the GB-76, like the older Safari's. But - the gearing is different. There are different GB-76 units used at diff times/in diff models.

My guess at this time is that the lever is shorter than before - as seen from the pics from the ad shoot. The Test vehicles showed a longer lever, but the ones in the ad shoot are newer & closer to production models than the test vehicles.

Let's wait for better pics. We will know soon.

Its a 76a Gearbox as in the Aria, its an Upgraded version.

[jaysmokesleaves]

Originally Posted by dadu

Its a 76a Gearbox as in the Aria, its an Upgraded version.

Does this mean we lose the low ratio 4x4 as in the current Safari ?

[AVR]

^^^
I hope it retains the low ratio. Its one of the key reasons why I'd buy it. Of course i'll never be able to like the rear but the front and better interiors is good enough reason.
Was at the dealer last week and they mentioned that it would be launched at the expo but bookings would start in May or June which is rather late.
Also an increase in power and torque to fortuner levels would be a great selling point!

[rrsteer]

I don't have a problem with the looks.

A vehicle should not insult my sense of aesthetics, otherwise I am a firm believer in function over form. I much prefer the underbody arrangement of the extra tyre proposed in the new Safari over the existing design. Its just more practical and as a Safari owner I'd say that the so called jeep or macho looking arrangement of the tyre was a nuisance!

The virtues of the Safari were more than its looks. If they are retained ( which in all probability, seems to be the case) and the vices of the car have been ironed out (which is essentially what I am hoping for in this new release) and the prices are not disturbed, I think most people should have little to complain about the vehicle.

[wanderer4x4]

I also like the looks of the new "Safari". It looks mature and subtle with nice tweaks and touches. And I think it'll be similar to the existing proportions contrary to some people who think the bonnet might be low slung or at a lower height than the existing one. Only a in person look will confirm the dimensions, pics can be deceptive.

[1100D]

Wonder if the marked portion is part of the Chassis. If it is, its too low. As it is the picture has been taken from eye level, and this bit is visible from a distance. Or they will put in some Xenon type fiber guard.

[condor]

At a outline/summary level, the front end of this new Safari and the Sumo Grande are looking similar to me. Esp the bumper (see the outline, but do give allowance for the individual areas of the bumper) - and to some extent the outline of the bumper + grille + headlights.

[comfortablynumb]

Is the grill similar to the exisiting 2.2 DICOR, i.e. just 3 horizontal lines with the T in the centre of the middle line, or a mesh type? At least I can't make out clearly from these pics!

Cheers,
Vikram

[MaserQ]

The LR face surgery has given the Safari a proper mid-life makeover. While the front end looks smart, the rear treatment does not gel with the huge green house. Also missing is the squat-look roof of the LR range. The grille does make the Safari look wider than it is but that does not hide the fact that it is still a few inches too tall.

[architect]

Originally Posted by MaserQ

The grille does make the Safari look wider than it is but that does not hide the fact that it is still a few inches too tall.

It is a few inches too tall to look good, but that's what makes it so comfortable and spacious. Just look at the Endeavour: that squat look makes it look so well proportioned, but it just kills interior comfort.

[Raxx]

Originally Posted by 1100D

Wonder if the marked portion is part of the Chassis. If it is, its too low. As it is the picture has been taken from eye level, and this bit is visible from a distance. Or they will put in some Xenon type fiber guard.

Attachment 862480

It is not part of the chassis. It's a clamp runs under the chassis to hold the camera rig. You can see the camera rig behind the car.

[swiftnfurious]

I have been thinking how TATA will position this car. Possible options

1. Current Safari exists at entry level; top variants belong to Merlin.
2. Phase out current model, replace with Merlin - variant to variant.
3. Current Safari exists in the same variants; Merlin also gets similar variants, both the base variants have the same price [variant to variant co-existence, at similar price points].

For those who thinks why would both models co-exist -

1. Current safari retain looks, chassis & 4WD.
2. Merlin with improved chassis but loses on 4WD. Exists only in 2WD form.

Now this would target two different groups - those who want the 4WD & current looks, Merlin for those who want quality & better handling.

This may defy automotive marketing logic, just my thoughts. I really don't find any other ways how they can manage some killer pricing.

Originally Posted by KameshR

I firmly believe a marginal (< 5%) OR zero precent price revision.

I feel they should revise & lower their prices. With XUV around, TATA doesn't really stand much to gain with current price / kit. If they don't bother much about sales, then...

Originally Posted by jaysmokesleaves

Does this mean we lose the low ratio 4x4 as in the current Safari ?

Originally Posted by AVR

^^^I hope it retains the low ratio.

Some one who was associated with product development mentioned some pages back that the low ratios may not make into the Merlin on account of improved handling.

I still can't make out what are they doing for the last 2 years or so - we have seen the production prototype [hopefully] and still no launch for the next 6 months??

[shortbread]

With the XUV prices going northbound it creates more breathing space for Tata. The Aria mistake must be avoided, a base variant with competitive pricing must be available from day 1. Its well and good loading up the car with features and optional extras but it will be difficult to recover once an opinion of being overpriced is made.