Tata Motors will be launching their flagship Safari 7-seat SUV on 26th January 2021. The new gen Safari is essentially the 7 seat extended version of the Harrier 5 seat SUV based on the Land Rover derived OMEGA arc platform. Earlier this SUV was named the Buzzard at the Geneva auto expo, which was then changed to Gravitas for the Delhi auto expo last year. Now, Tata motors has finalized that it will be the successor to legendary and iconic Safari SUV.

Based on the Harrier, the Safari will be around 60mm longer than the Harrier to accommodate the extra 2

seats while also being taller to provide better headroom for the 3rd row. Except for the larger dimensions and extra seats, the Safari will be largely similar to the 5-seat Harrier. However, the front grille will receive a slightly different treatment, featuring the signature Tri-arrow pattern finished in Chrome.

The tailgate will be more upright, giving the Safari a more boxy appearance and the SUV will also feature long functional roof rails for lifestyle utility. The top spec variants will receive 18” dual tone alloy wheels with the design similar to the Harrier's whereas the lower spec variants will carry forward the exact same 17” alloy wheels seen on the Harrier’s lower variants. The higher variants are also likely to feature a Panoramic sunroof.

Tata Safari CAMO Edition

Tata Safari Dark Edition : 

Tata Safari Brown Colour:

The new Safari will be available in 6 or 7 seat configuration.

Other than these external differences, the Safari will carry forward the same features as on the Harrier:

• Xenon Projector headlamps with LED DRLs

• Auto folding ORVMs

• Rear wiper and defogger

• 18” Alloy wheels

• Automatic climate control

• Auto headlamps & wipers

• Cruise control

• 8.8” Touchscreen system

• Android auto & Apple carplay

• Harman audio system with 9 speakers

• Connect Next app suite

• Reverse camera

• 6 way Power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support

• Off White Leather upholstery

• Auto dimming IRVM

• Ambient mood lighting

• Rear centre armrest

• Smart key with Push button start

• Follow me headlamps

• Terrain response modes : Rough, Wet and City

Safety:

       Safety features on the Safari will include:

• ABS with EBD

• All wheel disc brakes

• Corner stability control

• 6 airbags

• Electronic Parking brake

• Electronic stability program

• Traction control

• Hill hold control

• Hill descent control

• Roll over mitigation

• Electronic brake prefill

• Hydraulic brake assist

• Brake disc wiping

• Perimetric alarm system

• Pretensioner seatbelts

Powertrains:

       The Safari, just like the Harrier will be available with a diesel engine mated to either a 6 speed manual transmission or a 6 speed torque converter automatic transmission. The 2L Kryotec turbo diesel produces 170PS Power and 350NM torque. From the XM variant onwards, the Safari will be available with three drive modes; Eco, City and Sport.

Launch & price:

        The new Safari is expected to be priced from ?15L to ?20L for the Manual variants and ?17.5L to ?21L for the Automatic variants. When launched on 26th January, Tata’s new flagship SUV will compete against the likes of the MG Hector plus and the next generation Mahindra XUV500. Stay tuned for further updates.

Toyota India is preparing to launch the facelifted Toyota Fortuner by early next year. Bookings have commenced unofficially for the new facelifted SUV at select dealerships for an advance of ?50,000.

Exterior:

The majority of the upgrades will occur at the front end of the Fortuner. The new model will feature a new grille, LED headlights with LED DRLs, redesigned fog lights and a new silver skid plate. Other changes will include redesigned 18” alloy wheels and re-profiled LED taillights.

Interior:

The new Fortuner launched in

Thailand features an all-black interior with a new instrument cluster and a larger touchscreen infotainment system. The Fortuner Legender edition also offers a powered tailgate with the swipe-to-open function, wireless charging and a 360-degree parking camera. Similar to the facelifted Innova Crysta, the new Fortuner will also include Android Auto and Apple carplay finally. 

Powertrains:

The first powertrain for the facelifted Fortuner will be the 2.7L petrol engine which produces 166 PS and 245 Nm through either a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The Thai-spec Fortuner gets a new 2.8L turbo-diesel engine which produces 204 PS and 500 Nm. This engine is expected to be introduced in the Indian model as well. While all the models will be 2WD as standard, only the diesel will get a 4WD option.

Price:

The current BS6 Toyota Fortuner is available from ?28.66 lakh to ?36.88 lakh (ex-showroom). The facelifted model is expected to cost around ?50,000 more.

Stay tuned for further updates on the new Fortuner.

Based on the XT variant, this new XT+ variant offers a massive Panoramic Electric sunroof in addition to the standard features. This panoramic sunroof is claimed to be best in class with anti pinch, global closure and rain sense closure features similar to that of the top spec XZ+ variant.

Other than this feature, the XT+ will carry forward the same specifications as on the XT variant. Standard features will include:

• Projector headlamps with LED DRLs

• Auto folding ORVMs

• Rear wiper and defogger

• 17” Alloy wheels

• Automatic climate control

• Auto headlamps & wipers

• Cruise control

• 7” Touchscreen system

• Android auto & Apple carplay

• Harman audio system with 8 speakers

• Reverse camera

• 6 way
  

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  adjustable driver seat with lumbar support

• Rear centre armrest

• Smart key with Push button start

• Follow me headlamps

Safety:

Standard safety features on the Harrier BS6 include:

• ABS with EBD

• Corner stability control

• Dual airbags

• Electronic stability program

• Traction control

• Hill hold control

• Roll over mitigation

• Electronic brake prefill

• Hydraulic brake assist

• Brake disc wiping

• Perimetric alarm system

• Pretensioner seatbelts

Powertrain:

The New Harrier XT+ variant, just like all variants of the Harrier will be available with a diesel engine mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. The 6 speed automatic gearbox will be available only with the XMA, XZA & the XZA+ variants. The 2L Kryotec turbo diesel produces 170PS Power and 350NM torque. From the XM variant onwards, the Harrier is available with three drive modes; Eco, City and Sport.

Launch & price:

The new Harrier XT+ variant is priced at RS 16.99L ex-showroom. Priced at around RS 50,000 more than the standard XT variant, this new variant could effectively compete against the similarly priced and equipped Hyundai Creta while offering better value for money and attracting buyers preferring a panoramic sunroof.