Tata Safari Storme 4x4 : Official Review

shashanka · 7th March 2014, 07:09

True, many vehicles do use clutch-based LSD installations, mostly variations on the Haldex mechanism. Though I wish, for our country, a more suitable alternative would be some version of the EBD, where relative wheel spin is sensed via accelerometers, and proportionate brake force is applied, via electro-hydraulics, to the spinning wheel, thus transferring torque to the required wheel. In such devices, heavy, expensive and power consuming hardware (such as Torsen differentials) is avoided. Also, existing braking hardware I'm sure could be suitably adapted to incorporate the EBD mechanism.

With Tata and M&M having proven in-house R&D capabilities, such a solution for limiting wheel spin, particularly for SUVs, should be well within their ambit. I hope somebody up there is listening !

Lukeskywalker · 7th March 2014, 08:54

Quote:

Limited slip is clutch based system available only for rear axle. However, be aware its life is about 70,000kms only max. After that the clutches go kaput.

Mine lasted just 60K or so. Covered under extended warranty though.

Quote:

Clutch based LSD systems are wear and tear systems. So eventually you need to replace the clutches, no matter what vehicle.
Many other vehicles use clutch based LSD, though I suspect the 70K life issue is more common to Safari's

How does one get to know if the LSD has failed after the aforesaid 60-70K kms?

tsk1979 · 7th March 2014, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

How does one get to know if the LSD has failed after the aforesaid 60-70K kms?

1, On a hard surface, drive around in circles - There can be noise
2. When car is parked, put in first gear, and launch forwards, there will be a clang sort of sound

Basically, it starts making some noises. These noises are noticeable only at very quiet places. However, when the kit goes completely kaput, these get fairly loud.

shashanka · 11th March 2014, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Yes it is!

Scorpio has a low placed center diff and 180mm GC is limiting.

Hello tsk, Its shashanka again and once again its a similar clarification I was hoping for.
Re. the above quote I understand you are referring to the 4X4 Scorpio (mine is 2WD) and I wanted to be sure if the 4x4 has a center diff incorporated with the transfer case, apart from the two diffs at the front and rear axles.
Also, is there a LSD available in the 4X4 Scorpio?

tsk1979 · 11th March 2014, 20:55

Neither safari or scorpio have center diff. Only safari has LSD in rear axle

roadlover · 20th May 2014, 14:12

Guys, any idea when the new upgraded/updated storme is expected?

swiftnfurious · 20th May 2014, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadlover

Guys, any idea when the new upgraded/updated storme is expected?

Could be around Oct - Nov 2014. That coincide with the festive season launch in India.

param22k · 24th May 2014, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Clutch based LSD systems are wear and tear systems. So eventually you need to replace the clutches, no matter what vehicle.
Many other vehicles use clutch based LSD, though I suspect the 70K life issue is more common to Safari's

Hi TSK

How do you know when the LSD clutch has worn out? My truck is pushing 1.35Lacs and I haven't had any work done on the LSD.

Thanks.

tsk1979 · 24th May 2014, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by param22k

Hi TSK

How do you know when the LSD clutch has worn out? My truck is pushing 1.35Lacs and I haven't had any work done on the LSD.

Thanks.

It starts making noises. Do you do a lot of mountain driving? If no, then the life will be more. When you do lots of mountain driving, LSD life is less.

param22k · 26th May 2014, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

It starts making noises. Do you do a lot of mountain driving? If no, then the life will be more. When you do lots of mountain driving, LSD life is less.

Makes sense. Percentage wise the share of mountain driving would be very less as I'm based in the plains. Now when I hear weird noises from the drivetrain, I'll have to tick off LSD as a possible suspect. Thanks TSK!

KrishD · 20th June 2014, 10:56

There's been news of Storme ZX floating around, with upgraded interiors and the 150 PS engine from the Aria. Does anyone have any more details on it? Like when it is likely to launch.... and more importantly (for me) will the ZX come in 4X4?

Please do share any update if you have.

tsk1979 · 20th June 2014, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrishD

There's been news of Storme ZX floating around, with upgraded interiors and the 150 PS engine from the Aria. Does anyone have any more details on it? Like when it is likely to launch.... and more importantly (for me) will the ZX come in 4X4?

Please do share any update if you have.

We will get to know only on launch. That said, traditionally, the top end versions from tata have always had 4x4

himanshugoswami · 20th June 2014, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

We will get to know only on launch. That said, traditionally, the top end versions from tata have always had 4x4

Per my company sources, the ZX (or the upgraded Storme) will not come before March 2015- that is one reason i decided to go ahead and buy the VX now.

Having said that, the upgraded storme will be a significant mid life upgrade, with a face lift and revised interiors and most importantly will feature an automatic transmission.- this is confirmed news.

KrishD · 20th June 2014, 11:34

Quote:

Having said that, the upgraded storme will be a significant mid life upgrade, with a face lift and revised interiors and most importantly will feature an automatic transmission.- this is confirmed news.

Wow, are you fairly certain about this news? This should be good. But yes, like you I need to decide whether to take the plunge now with the VX 4X4 or wait?

himanshugoswami · 20th June 2014, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrishD

Wow, are you fairly certain about this news? This should be good. But yes, like you I need to decide whether to take the plunge now with the VX 4X4 or wait?

Krish, this comes from someone who hasn't been wrong so far in the last 7 years

. Of course there could always be a first time, but i doubt it. In my view, please go ahead with the VX 4x4 if you like the simplicity of the current Storme interiors.

From what I have come to know, the revised Storme will feature touch screen audio and navigation and auto climate control which will need redesigning the entire dash. Personally i am not too much of a fan of excessive electronics in my cars, given our extreme weather conditions, especially up here in the North- but then, thats just me

In my case, i just went with the heart and booked the current Storme VX. Hope to get delivery this weekend.

7th March 2014, 07:09	#151
shashanka BANNED Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: mum, kolkata Posts: 1,230 Thanked: 1,634 Times View My Garage	Re: Tata Safari Storme 4x4 : Official Review True, many vehicles do use clutch-based LSD installations, mostly variations on the Haldex mechanism. Though I wish, for our country, a more suitable alternative would be some version of the EBD, where relative wheel spin is sensed via accelerometers, and proportionate brake force is applied, via electro-hydraulics, to the spinning wheel, thus transferring torque to the required wheel. In such devices, heavy, expensive and power consuming hardware (such as Torsen differentials) is avoided. Also, existing braking hardware I'm sure could be suitably adapted to incorporate the EBD mechanism. With Tata and M&M having proven in-house R&D capabilities, such a solution for limiting wheel spin, particularly for SUVs, should be well within their ambit. I hope somebody up there is listening !
	() Thanks

11th March 2014, 20:55	#155
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,826 Times View My Garage	Re: Tata Safari Storme 4x4 : Official Review Neither safari or scorpio have center diff. Only safari has LSD in rear axle
	(1) Thanks

20th May 2014, 14:12	#156
roadlover Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: Tata Safari Storme 4x4 : Official Review Guys, any idea when the new upgraded/updated storme is expected?
	() Thanks

20th June 2014, 10:56	#161
KrishD BHPian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 104 Thanked: 42 Times	Re: Tata Safari Storme 4x4 : Official Review There's been news of Storme ZX floating around, with upgraded interiors and the 150 PS engine from the Aria. Does anyone have any more details on it? Like when it is likely to launch.... and more importantly (for me) will the ZX come in 4X4? Please do share any update if you have.
	() Thanks