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Old 5th January 2012, 15:08   #1381
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

Finally the wait is over, here is the all new Tata Safari.
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Old 5th January 2012, 15:15   #1382
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

Here is additional info from Tata's media release present on its website.

The new generation Tata Safari Storme is an epitome of style and performance, true to its 4WD pedigree, with a host of technologies and new exteriors and interiors. In the front are a new grill, new projector headlamps and a 'power bulge' on the bonnet. New chrome-tipped twin exhausts, the tailgate in an all-new guise and aerodynamic spoilers distinguish the rear, with the spare tyre placed under the vehicle. Freshly designed roof-rails, ergonomical side footsteps and cladding mark the side view, completing a sportier and muscular look with a hint of the Safari Storme's adventurous character
Luxurious beige seats matched with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome highlighted gear knob, wood-accented dashboard and door trims, a new instrument cluster, chrome-lined speaker grills and inside door handles endow the interiors with opulence. The front seats with fore and aft adjustment and lumbar support make long drives a cruise, while the dual AC with separate integrated roof-mounted blower keeps the entire cabin ambient.
The force of the Safari Storme is in its 2.2L 16-valve common rail (DiCOR) engine (140 PS power; 320 Nm torque) with a variable geometry turbo, mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. Electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) enables shifting from 2WD to 4WD even on the move. Best-in-class turning circle radius of 5.4 metres, 200 mm ground clearance, electrically operated ORVMs and a reverse parking system makes driving convenient on any terrain. For safety, there are 4-channel ABS with EBD, disc brakes on all wheels, a new rack-and-pinion steering system, rigid ladder frame construction with hydro-formed long members, crumple zones, side intrusion beams on all doors, collapsible steering column, dual SRS airbags, inertia switch and an auto engine immobiliser.
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Old 5th January 2012, 15:26   #1383
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

Saw the TATA SAFARI STORME......Don't think its really gonna shake the market with its presence. The exterior changes are fine but i am disappointed with the interior. I feel like its been shared from Sumo the design and fit and finish.

Lets hope they don't price it like ARIA. Curious too see the response of All the Safari Fans.

Ronny
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Old 5th January 2012, 15:27   #1384
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

I thought they would changed the last row jump seats to front facing bench, but they haven't for sure.

Will it 'shake the market' ? ummm .. don't really think so. It appears to be a mere facelift. Disappointing effort from TATA, they would have known that in order to challenge M&M, they really had to up their ante, tremendously.

Last edited by forbhaskarm : 5th January 2012 at 15:38.
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Old 5th January 2012, 15:45   #1385
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

Quote:
Originally Posted by deepaktpatil View Post
Here is additional info from Tata's media release present on its website.

The new generation Tata Safari Storme is an epitome of style and performance, true to its 4WD pedigree, with a host of technologies and new exteriors and interiors. In the front are a new grill, new projector headlamps and a 'power bulge' on the bonnet. New chrome-tipped twin exhausts, the tailgate in an all-new guise and aerodynamic spoilers distinguish the rear, with the spare tyre placed under the vehicle. Freshly designed roof-rails, ergonomical side footsteps and cladding mark the side view, completing a sportier and muscular look with a hint of the Safari Storme's adventurous character
Luxurious beige seats matched with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome highlighted gear knob, wood-accented dashboard and door trims, a new instrument cluster, chrome-lined speaker grills and inside door handles endow the interiors with opulence. The front seats with fore and aft adjustment and lumbar support make long drives a cruise, while the dual AC with separate integrated roof-mounted blower keeps the entire cabin ambient.
The force of the Safari Storme is in its 2.2L 16-valve common rail (DiCOR) engine (140 PS power; 320 Nm torque) with a variable geometry turbo, mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. Electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) enables shifting from 2WD to 4WD even on the move. Best-in-class turning circle radius of 5.4 metres, 200 mm ground clearance, electrically operated ORVMs and a reverse parking system makes driving convenient on any terrain. For safety, there are 4-channel ABS with EBD, disc brakes on all wheels, a new rack-and-pinion steering system, rigid ladder frame construction with hydro-formed long members, crumple zones, side intrusion beams on all doors, collapsible steering column, dual SRS airbags, inertia switch and an auto engine immobiliser.
Not bad
Is there a price change ? LX gets 4x4 ?
Attached Thumbnails
Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90-1.jpg  

Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90-2.jpg  

Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90-3.jpg  

Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90-4.jpg  

Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90-5.jpg  

Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90-6.jpg  


Last edited by jkdas : 5th January 2012 at 15:53.
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Old 5th January 2012, 15:50   #1386
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

Some screenshots for those who cannot access the video -
Attached Thumbnails
Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90-safari.png  

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Old 5th January 2012, 15:54   #1387
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

The front looks really purposeful! However, it's let down by the overall dilution of the classy Safari looks, specially the profile. Could it be due to the spare missing from the hatch?

All said & done, this vehicle is not a patch on the current Safari 2.2 DICOR at all, which [IMO] is and will remain the best looking among all the avatars of the Safari.

Cheers,
Vikram
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Old 5th January 2012, 15:59   #1388
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

BSMOTORING says -

Tata Motors has showcased their new Tata Safari Storme at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Safari Storme is based on the Tata Aria platform and has new underpinnings. The size and outward appearance of the SUV, however, remain largely unchanged.

On the inside are a host of new features that make the Safari Storme more premium and livable. The insides are also more spacious now and come with beige seats and a leather wrapped steering wheel. The gear lever gets a chrome tip too, while the dash and door get wood-finish. There is a new instrument cluster as well, and for comfort of the driver and front seat passenger is a lumbar support feature.

Onto the engine, then. The Safari gets a 2.2-litre 16-valve common-rail DiCOR engine that makes 138 bhp and has 32.4 kgm of peak torque on offer. This is mated to a 5-speed gearbox, same as the one on the Tata Aria. This gearbox was upgraded from the one on the older Safari. The car also has rack and pinion steering, dual SRS airbags.

While the car is 85 per cent new, due to the mild changes to the exterior, it does look like all that has happened is a facelift, however.

Last edited by raj_5004 : 5th January 2012 at 16:00.
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Old 5th January 2012, 16:10   #1389
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

if this is what Merlin looks like, i'd rather buy the old gen Safari; its a looker even with it's niggles. the Safari character is lost; looks like its been built by borrowing parts from other vehicles.
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Old 5th January 2012, 16:14   #1390
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

I know looks is one department where a company cannot make everyone happy, But IMHO, the Safara Storme has Flawless Exteriors. The whole exterior packaging looks seamlessly integrated and well put together. Kudos to TATA Team for this product. Now, if they get the pricing right, I am sure the Storme has the potential to take the market by "Storme".

However, the main grouse in the interior department, again IMHO (especially, after TATA having taken like forever to launch the product), are, 1. The Rear AC Vent, which looks outright downmarket (show me one SUV, that still has these on them). 2. The music system, they could have easily designed an integrated 2-DIN music system. Why this? 3. The side-facing 3rd row seats. How could they have missed this one out? The front-facing seats are so comfortable, has't anyone pointed this out to the TATA Team? Or have they never had the opportunity to seat in those jump-seats?

The bottom-line though, half the battle is won, now it is on the management to price it right and they can regain the market-share in this category for sure.
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Old 5th January 2012, 16:20   #1391
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

Assuming that the car that they have shown in the AD is the top end variant, I feel -

+ The front looks great. Not as intimidating as before but a very modern uplift to an = ageing design.
+ Lovely alloys.
+ Auto folding mirrors is a nice touch.
+ Projector headlamps is again welcome.
+ Super cool european style headlight switch
+ Dual exhaust looks cool!

- Same engine.
- Forget GPS, touchscreen, etc. It has a Single DIN HU.
- No Automatic Climate control.
- No steering mounted controls.
- Same old 5 speed gearbox.
- Exactly same side profile.
- The door grab handles are an eyesore.
- Still the uncomfortable & unsafe jump seats in the boot?
- Ugly cut on the cladding near the fuel filler.
- Rear AC vents look cheap & aftermarket.
- No AC vents for 3rd row? Earlier ones had one on the side.
- The rear profile without the spare wheel takes away the charm the earlier safari had. Now it looks boxy like Scorpio.

All in all, nothing exciting. I dont know what changes are under the skin & how it has helped but to a layman, this is nothing but a facelift. If this is priced in the Scorpio segment, it will be a hit. If it dares to enter the XUV5OO territory, it is another FLOP story of TATA after Aria.

P.S.: Loved the ad, like every TATA's!

Last edited by raj_5004 : 5th January 2012 at 16:42.
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Old 5th January 2012, 16:27   #1392
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

Not sure if it's posted earlier but here's the Storme's spec sheet from the company website:

Link
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Old 5th January 2012, 16:29   #1393
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

is that a NEW Safari ?? Sorry if I didnt notice anything !
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Old 5th January 2012, 16:30   #1394
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

Thanks for sharing the video.

Overall Safari Storme looks good but portion by portion, hmmm, well just couldn't digest it yet. Having loved the old looks, it does take time to get used to this. But Rear and Front when viewed from the respective angle does look amazing.

Bonnet does look flat making the windshield look bigger as claimed earlier. That Grill - bad. Would have loved horizantal stripes.
ORVM - That was one part that i hated in the previous generation too. Bad thats simply carried over.
Rear door - Miss you dear "wheel" :'( but neatly done unlike the same attempt made in Sumo Victa.
Interiors - Not much shown in this video. Wish that's improved. Audio player setup still the same? Can use comfortably only with gear lever placed in 2,4,R?

Overall, It's still a Good Effort!

Hope they dont price it madly. Instead it should just be a replacement to the old one with the same price tag and fight with the same opponent SCORPIO.

O.T: 48th sec of the video - Door closing looks like a thin metal I mean it doesn't have that Rigid feel that German cars hold. I mean in this video ONLY.
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Old 5th January 2012, 16:37   #1395
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Re: Tata Merlin - Safari replacement? *UPDATE* Uncovered Pics on Pg 90

The Safari Storme does look good IMHO. The overall changes to the exterior are minimal and it retains the same silhouette sans the spare wheel. Personally, I liked the front treatment.

What I did not like are the interior changes. I expected a radical change both in layout and in fit and finish. This is still not up there. Can't comment on the fit and finish since I haven't seen it in flesh.

If priced similar to the current Safari, this will definitely be worth considering. Again, a 4X4 LX would be a welcome move.
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