Team-BHP - Tata Safari Storme : Test Drive and Review. More pics: pg 47

Have been wondering whether I should post this or not, but just couldn't help. I see a "Mahindra launches the SsangYong Rexton..." thread on TeamBHP - India Car Scene Forum, but nothing about the Tata Safari Storme. Agreed, we may get a detailed review after proper hands-on experience with the car, but did TeamBHP not cover the launch event? Surprising.....or did I miss something, somewhere?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachinayak (Post 2939533)

Initial coverage is posted on this thread itself, since a dedicated thread was not required.

Link to post

The official review will also be up soon...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddy (Post 2939543)

Initial coverage is posted on this thread itself, since a dedicated thread was not required.

Wow, i definitely missed it. Having spent a lot of time (believe me, quite a lot) am surprise that i missed this and have a feeling many Team-BHP readers too would have missed this. Can we not have a coverage on the "India Car Scene" with a link back to this thread? Just to keep things simple? they probably are, but official pics/coverage in the middle of a 70 page thread could get lost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackyboy (Post 2939463)

After owning all three versions of the Safari in the family i gotta say this. Deeply disappointed with the way Tata are still playing around with a 14year old design when competition is way ahead. This will surely deter most buyers from going for this otherwise most comfortable vehicle. Looks like brakings improved and the interiors do look refreshing. But other than that i dont think theres a reason to go for the Storme.

today came back after taking test drive of storme and dicor back to back.totally agree with you on braking and interior part.Interior is refreshing even on base model and brakes are good.
But there was lot of vibration in clutch of storme and even though engine noise was down vis-a-vis dicor, there were quite a few noises coming from else where like doors..
my brother enjoyed driving dicor more then storme.
funny thing happened when we were taking test drive, as we stopped on side of road, a car stopped alongside us and one sardarji asked"Paaji Are you going to buy this car?" I said "we are considering." He said " Dont Buy, it looks like Sumo Grande." and moved on. So thats the general point of view of people. Storme has not lived upto the hype it created.
bottom line is TATA has overpiced Storme LX model by atleast 1.5 lacs.
i will go any day with safari dicor LX if i have to chose between dicor LX and Storme LX.

Quote:

Originally Posted by apachelongbow (Post 2939456)

.... Using GPS we got about 13.8secs /100kmph for safari and about 14.35/100kmph for duster. We tried all launch combinations, best for safari was gear changes about 2400rpm.

I take these automagazine data with a kilo of salt, paid promo every one of them, lets not go there please... Even ertiga is supposed to do 100 in 13 secs.....:D

I would'nt sneeze away Autocar's data as marketing hype - amongst all the lot, their testing is perhaps the most comprehensive. Also, do remember if you were using pure GPS devices, there is sometimes a slight lag in displaying accelerations from a standing start- whereas the readings are best and accurate for steady speeds. Its that slight lag that often shows up and adds to the error for acceleration runs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachinayak (Post 2939533)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachinayak (Post 2939558)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddy (Post 2939543)

Initial coverage is posted on this thread itself, since a dedicated thread was not required.

Link to post

The official review will also be up soon...

Why cant we have a dedicated T-BHP TD review?

Agree Lukeskywalkers review is on the spot, or we can move this thread to the Main page of OFFICIAL NEW CAR REVIEWS.:thumbs up

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joyb (Post 2939473)

Ofcourse. Tried all possible positions for steering and seat. Spent a good 10 mins on the drivers seat

When Luke took the test drive, he did not face any problem as such, as its not pointed out in his test drive. Had it been different from older Safari, he would have definitely pointed out as he owns one.
So, probably you can go to the showroom and ask for a test drive of the vehicle. As long as you are able to drive the vehicle comfortably and your knees are not obstructing, it should be ok. Probably, existing safari owners can also comment on this.
As somebody has already pointed out, you'll be in a much more difficult position in a Scorpio.
Also, have you test driven Scorpio or you only want to test Storme before buying. For many people, i think in SUV space, its Safari or nothing. Are you one of those? :)

I'm just a huge fan of this Safari, since i've seen it at Auto Expo 2012.
It's more better, conservative & Corporate looking than previous patchy looking Safari.

Definitely It's having more muscle hidden under those velvety curves.
I always had a faith on this car, so that it can write its own story & that's its first promotional shot screams out..

Tata Safari Storme : Test Drive and Review. More pics: pg 47-17tatasafaristorme1.jpg

.. for which it's built.
Safari still haven't got its true competition. :rules:

Quote:

Originally Posted by apachelongbow (Post 2939456)

Ya the duster can do about that much (indicated). The safari is about 10kmph or so faster, when on full chat. Mind it though both cars take a while to get to this once post a hundred miles per hour.
I also think the torque low down, helps beat the duster in roll ons and acceleration. Using GPS we got about 13.8secs /100kmph for safari and about 14.35/100kmph for duster. We tried all launch combinations, best for safari was gear changes about 2400rpm.

I take these automagazine data with a kilo of salt, paid promo every one of them, lets not go there please... Even ertiga is supposed to do 100 in 13 secs.....:D

Did you check whether its the 85 or the 110bhp variant? The figures you have are more consistent with the 85bhp version

The 110bhp is between 11.88 and 12.5 seconds across Indian auto mags, most international reviews and international duster forums depending of the version of the 110bhp dCi used. The 110 is used in nearly all renault cars including the Clio, Megane etc so it is heavily tested.

This is also the same engine used in the Fluence with a slightly updated state of tune with the turbo kicking in at around 1800rpm.

The Duster 110bhp starts losing steam around 3500-4000RPM which would be around 159kph onwards, the 85bhp much earlier. From your experiences it does seem you tested the 85bhp version.

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo_delight

For many people, i think in SUV space, its Safari or nothing. Are you one of those? :)

A following question that I have been wondering about. So if want to compare rear seating and luggage space in Safari, XUV, Fortuner then which one comes on top. By rear seating I mean middle row and space in the last row when seats are folded up.

Also has anyone managed to see one in Bangalore showrooms. I went to KHT did not find one parked there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheel (Post 2939459)

Most are asking if the Duster was the 85PS version or the 110. If 85, it is understandable, if 110, then maybe the Duster (110?) was in hibernate mode.

Hahaha. I am sure my friend wont be pleased that he bought a 85ps after paying for a 110ps and the car having a 110ps batch and registration. Jokes aside, what we both felt that when flooring it, there is a sudden lag before the duster responds between the 1000/2000rpm range. I am not sure if this is the famous turbo lag, but its not helpful in conducting quick accelerations.
No doubt the Duster scores over Safari in taking corners, afterall a low slung car is far better than a top heavy one. However refinement at high speeds is def lesser than the Safari, esp the engine and wind noise. I believe lack of sound deadning in the Duster has something to do with it.

I think we got better timing in the Safari because of the lower end torque, holding on to about 2200/400 rpm at each gear helped getting there quickly, we just couldnt find such a happy rpm in the Duster.

Quote:

Originally Posted by akhilesh51 (Post 2938627)

Further, Duster has very little international credibility as opposed to the notion. Badged as a Dacia, this vehicle has no reputation in the western markets. Renault badge is borrowed for Indian markets to add the reputation of parent marca. Top Gear once had a show revolving Dacia brand and it was nothing short of hilarious....

Lets check out the facts:

The Duster is quite popular in France and Spain and is a bestseller SUV in both countries in 2011:

http://www.inautonews.com/dacia-dust...e#.UIQxLnlvGr0

http://www.car-addicts.com/car-types...ain-and-france

Its was a nominee for the Car of Year 2011 in Europe

http://www.caroftheyear.org/nominees...er/2011_3/coty

Reviewers are reporting it to be a fairly common sight in France (Mats Car Blog)

France: Dacia, king of the countryside – Photo report

The Duster appears to have a fairly long waiting period in some countries:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...320295846.html

http://corkindependent.com/stories/i...r-cuts-a-Dacia

There's a report that in Germany, a second-hand Duster with under 10,000 km on the odo has a higher asking price than the retail, due to the waiting period:

http://www.drivehomesafe.com/news/da...n_germany.html

The Top Gear review by James May is actually quite favourable:

http://www.dacia.co.uk/media/att0007...ter_review.pdf

I'm afraid the facts appear to be quite opposite to your statement there.

Re- whether the Duster is an SUV or not - it is quite a capable soft-roader, especially in its 4x4 form - you could easily check that out from various web-sites.

@ apachelongbow - read my post below regarding using pure GPS for timing acceleration tests- the results will not be accurate.

Interesting posts. Now all want the fastest 0-100 SUV?
Imho, a good driver can show what their car can do. In good hands, a car doing 0-100 in 15 and 0-100 in 12 doesnt matter.

Duster is small and lighter and it should do better in this regards. And hows Renault's a.s.s.? Here at Trivandrum, they take your Renault to MM shop to service.

Size/space/comfort/presence matters. Raise hands if you are here for these ;). Get a Cruze for your 0-100 timings.

And good that Storme is only launched phase by phase. People who cant buy now in southern states can now wait and see the ownership report.