Team-BHP - Tata Safari Storme : Official Review

^^ Lohith, what I liked best is the matt gray cladding. Storme looks more macho with it, instead of the body colored cladding. Maybe a Nano Papaya yellow shade will look good too, along with the Grande's signature burnt orange color.

I got a word that Tata is thinking about an LX 4x4 due to inquiries. Currently, they are trying to figure out if there is enough demand. If there is, the LX 4x4 may be sold in the next 3-4 months.
So maybe, if enough people want it, Tata will make the LX 4x4
Black cladding would be nice and would pay for the alloy wheel upgrade over the regular storme.

I had a TD of VX 4WD yesterday, and exactly inline with the TBHP review by Tanveer, did tried to wade through deep slush, but came out with 4H engaged.

The experience was fantastic, except that the interiors simply does not justify the cost for VX. LX 4WD is a fantastic arrangement, but only if its with Air bags.

I just can not compromise on security at any cost

Quote:

Originally Posted by apachelongbow (Post 3105338)

The gray cladding IMO starts looking very jaded and sad, after a few years of exposure in the sun, unlike a painted cladding.

I meant the matte black material they have used in the Storme tailgate strip. That looks nice, though you are correct, too early to tell how it would fade. The Storme also has a similar lower bumper extension around the twin exhausts, below the body colored main bumper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lohithrao (Post 3105349)

Like others i was quiet eager to see some lively shades, so quickly came up with few options :) and as i had thought Storme looks pretty nice in these lively shades.

Love the yellow! :thumbs up

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979 (Post 3105417)

So maybe, if enough people want it, Tata will make the LX 4x4 Black cladding would be nice and would pay for the alloy wheel upgrade over the regular storme.

Like our Italian friend Pescaroti said in the 4x4 thread, aren't pressed steel wheels preferred for hardcore offroading?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebonho (Post 3105498)

Like our Italian friend Pescaroti said in the 4x4 thread, aren't pressed steel wheels preferred for hardcore offroading?

Hardcore offroading. You need to do things to storme for hardcore offroading, after that it will no longer be a storme :D

Yep the rear panel matte black would look good on the sides. Even the earlier Safari grey cladding (which I had from 2001 till 2010 did not fade on my vehicle over 10 years .Yep I got a few scratches on them but never need to get them painted as they just did not show.

The error people do is to either paint this cladding, or regularly wash them with diesel to remove the tar or to polish it (and sand it with fine paper). It is best left as it is and at max given a diesel wash at the petrol pump once a year. It then lasts much better than the painted material.

Storme Sadly can't release an "Adventure" model to indicate that their True SUV is now even more Macho. :)

Using grey cladding and providing Alloys instead in lower spec varient would help, as many prefer the grey cladding from both the maintenance and look point of view. It sure will help keep vehicle on the side away as well. By the way the side step is the first thing that a car on the side would hit if it came too close so the painted cladding is safe in general. Have already seen a few damaged side steps in some new Stormes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979 (Post 3105505)

Hardcore offroading. You need to do things to storme for hardcore offroading, after that it will no longer be a storme :D

I saw a black Scorpio Getaway at the India Bike Week which had all the side cladding removed (along with bumpers) and those metal ARB bumpers put it with a winch and raised suspension and chunky off road tyres and rool bar and snorkel. Looked very cool, and butch, and capable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACM (Post 3105531)

By the way the side step is the first thing that a car on the side would hit if it came too close so the painted cladding is safe in general. Have already seen a few damaged side steps in some new Stormes.

I am more paranoid about bikes with handlebar bar-end weights man. One moron even hit my mirror while zig zagging. Btw, the mirror does bend backwards (remember reading somewhere a gripe that the Storme mirror does not).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebonho (Post 3105543)

Yes, Thank heavens for that. My beast was left at the mercy of stunt parkers zigzagging all around at Connaught Place Parking lot.Luckily most of the cars dont reach your ORVM height so its a tiny relief, but still some stunt guy managed to knock off my right ORVM :Shockked: and man was I glad it bends backwards (I mean forwards) The footboard on the sides also offers some protection in parking from certain inconsiderate doors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979 (Post 3105417)

clap: If this is True then its AWESOME news buddy. Seriously, you ruffled the buyer in me. Cheers...

Err Tata.. i will take the blue one in 4x4 please.. thank you

Quote:

Originally Posted by lohithrao (Post 3105349)

Like others i was quiet eager to see some lively shades, so quickly came up with few options :) and as i had thought Storme looks pretty nice in these lively shades.

@STorme'd, I was offered 4 options:

Gold / Silver
4 yrs and 40k / 50k running

Gold includes everything except Tyres & battery
Silver does not inlcude Tyres & battery, clutch, & possibly brakes also.

Approx pricing:
Silver: 4 yrs / 40k: 13k
Gold: 4 yrs / 40k: 19k
Gold 4 yrs / 50k : 38k (because clutch may need to be repalced by 50k.

I dont remember Silver @ 4/ 50k, but is approximately 19-20k

For Gold packages, Extended Wty is must.

I checked on the suitable options outside the showrooom, and the advice was for the top end - Gold @ 4 yrs / 50k, even if it costs 38k.