Taking centrestage at the Tata stand is the Safari Storme. The Storme is not an all-new Safari but a throroughly revised version of the existing SUV. Among the biggest changes to the vehicle is the adoption of Tata's modern X2 platform that also underpins the Aria. The switch to the X2 platform should reap huge benefits in terms of dynamics and overall refinement.
Tata has also tweaked styling to make the Safari look contemporary. The nose is all-new with a different front grille and headlamp design. In silhouette, the Safari looks pretty similar to the outgoing model though the different side cladding are give aways of the new car. Styling changes to the rear include a new tail gate with the spare wheel now mounted under the body. A thick horizontal strip above the repositioned number plate is a noteworthy detail here. Dual chrome tipped exhausts complete the rear redesign.
The interiors have received a makeover too with a revised dashboard design and plastics that seem to have improved in quality.
Powering the Safari Storme is the familiar 2.2-litre, 16-valve common-rail DiCOR engine on duty on other Tata cars. While peak power remains 140PS, the engine has been worked on to improve overall refinement which is something the Safari was in dire need of. Just how much better the new Safari is over the older car? To know the answer you;ll have to wait for our exhaustive road test.
Other significant exhibits at the stall were the Manza diesel-hybrid concept and the new 1.05-litre 3-cylinder variant of the 1.4 DiCOR engine.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Hormazd Sorabjee
Kiran Murali
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