Tata Motors has launched its flagship Safari 7-seat SUV on the 22nd February 2021. The new Safari ranges from Rs.14.69l to Rs.21.25l (ex showroom).

The new Safari will be available in 6 variants in total.

The Variants include:

XE, XM, XT, XT+, XZ, XZ+

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

Based on the Harrier, the Safari is 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 is largely similar to the 5-seat Harrier. However, the front grille gets a slightly different treatment, featuring the signature Tri-arrow pattern finished in Chrome.

The tailgate is more upright, giving the Safari a more boxy appearance and the SUV also features long functional roof rails for lifestyle utility. The top spec variants receive 18” dual tone alloy wheels with the design similar to the Harrier's whereas the lower spec variants carry forward the exact same 16” Steel wheels seen on the Harrier’s lower variants. The higher variants are also offered with a Panoramic sunroof.

The new Safari is available  with 7 seats as standard while only the XZ and XZ+ will be optional with a 6 seat configuration.

Here’s a detailed walkthrough on the features available on the different Variants:

XE: Rs.14.69L

• Projector headlamps

• Functional roof rails (75kg load bearing)

• Halogen bi-functional DRLs

• Central locking

• All-black interior

• Telescopic steering wheel

• Front center armrest with cooled storage

• Power windows

• Manual Air-con

• Rear AC vents

• Digital MID

• 60:40 split 2nd row seats

• Boss mode 2nd row

• 50:50 split 3rd row

• 16” Steel rims

Standard safety features include:

• Dual airbags

• Pretensioner seatbelts

• All wheel disc brakes

• ABS with EBD

• Corner stability control

• ESP with traction control

• Hill hold control

• Roll over mitigation

• Hydraulic brake assist

• Electronic brake prefill

• Brake disc wiping

• Engine drag torque control

• ISOFIX child seat mounts

• Reverse sensors

• Engine immobilizer

• Perimetric alarm

XM: Rs.16L (XMA : Rs.17.25L)

• Front fog lamps

• Rear wiper/washer and defogger

• Electrically adjustable ORVMs

• Driver seat height adjust

• 7” touchscreen system

• Reverse assist display

• 6 speakers from Harman

• Steering mounted audio controls

• Rear armrest

• Remote central locking

• Multi drive modes : City, Eco and Sport

XT: Rs.17.45L

• 18” single tone alloys

• Soft touch dash top

• Dual tone interior

• Reverse camera

• Android Auto & Apple carplay

• IRA connect features

• What 3 words

• Smart key access

• Push button start

• Power folding ORVMs

• Cruise control

• Auto climate control

• Auto Headlamps & wipers

• Mood lighting

• Auto dimming IRVM

• Tyre pressure monitoring system

XT+: Rs.18.25L

• Panoramic sunroof

XZ: Rs.19.15L (XZA : Rs.20.40L)

• Dual tone machined 18” alloys

• Xenon projector headlamps

• Oyster white Leather upholstery

• Leather wrap steering and gear lever

• 7” semi digital instrument cluster

• 8.8” touchscreen system

• 9 speakers from JBL with subwoofer

• 6 way Powered driver seat

• Driver lumbar adjust

• Terrain response modes (Wet and rough modes)

Additional safety features include:

• 6 Airbags

• Hill descent control

XZ+: Rs.19.99L (XZA+ : Rs.21.25L)

• Panoramic sunroof

As a surprise, Tata motors has also launched the ADVENTURE PERSONA special edition of the Safari which sports a few significant cosmetic changes. This special edition features a new Tropical Mist body colour along with piano Black replacing the Chrome inside and out. The Grille, window line and door handles are finished in piano Black while the R18 alloy wheels are finished in charcoal grey. The interior too gets a different treatment, with an all black dashboard featuring a lot more piano Black and the oyster white upholstery replaced by Earthy brown(beige) on the seats and door pads.

This special Adventure Persona edition is priced at Rs.20.20L for the manual and Rs.21.45L for the Automatic.

Powertrain:

       The Safari, just like the Harrier is available with a diesel engine mated to a 6 speed manual transmission as standard. A 6 speed torque converter automatic transmission is available only on the XMA, XZA and XZA+ variants. The 2L Kryotec turbo diesel produces 170PS Power and 350NM torque. From the XM variant onwards, the Safari is available with three drive modes; Eco, City and Sport. The XZ and XZ+ variants also get Terrain response modes which includes a Wet mode and Rough road mode as well.

Rivals:

 Tata’s new flagship SUV will compete against the likes of the MG Hector plus and the next generation Mahindra XUV500.

Tata Motors likes to stay in the news and they have always been quite successful at that. They have a habit of launching either subtle updates or special editions or even new variants of their cars almost every month. This time it’s a great news for Black lovers.

      Tata motors have filed trademark for #DARK and Camo editions of their budget range of cars, the Tiago, Tigor, Altroz and the Nexon. The #DARK edition is what we have seen on the Harrier already. The Harrier #Dark edition featured a new Atlas Black colour scheme with Glossy black finished alloy wheels. The

       As a result of the success of this special edition, the manufacturer has decided to launch this edition on all of their cars including the Tiago, Tigor, Altroz and Nexon. This #Dark edition scheme however, just like on the Harrier, will be available only on the top spec XZ+ variants of the Tiago and Tigor. The Altroz will receive this paint scheme only on the XZ and Nexon #Dark will be available on the XZ+, XZ+(S) & XZ+(O) variants along with their AMT equipped versions.

       The other special paint scheme that is expected to launched is the CAMO edition. Though we are not sure about it’s details or colour scheme, it is safe to expect a white and black camouflage theme either only on the roof or the whole body.

        Apart from these already available Tata cars, Tata Motors will also be introducing these #Dark and Camo schemes on the upcoming flagship Gravitas SUV as well.

        These #Dark and Camo special colour scheme are expected to be priced around Rs 30,000 - 40,000 depending on the car model. Stay tuned for further details on these special editions from Tata Motors.

Tata Motors is getting ready for the launch of its new Sub compact crossover SUV, now named the PUNCH. Teaser images and videos have been released by the manufacturer, revealing just the front fascia. However, here are the complete details on the new micro crossover that we have figured out through spy images and videos.

Here are the details on the new Altroz turbo petrol:

The first crossover SUV based on the ALFA arc platform of the Altroz, with Harrier inspired styling.

Will be available with a 1.2L Revotron 3 cyl petrol engine similar to the Tata Tiago

Will also include Engine auto Start/Stop system on specific variants.

Top spec variant will offer Projector headlamps, TFT instrument cluster, Cruise control, touchscreen system among other features.

DESIGN The Tata Punch is essentially the production spec version of the HBX concept showcased at the 2020 Delhi Auto expo. Except for the more traditional looking front bumper which houses the fog lamps, the overall design remains almost identical. The projector headlamps are located lower in the bumper with the LED strips on top, quite similar to the Harrier. The wheel arches are muscular while also featuring black cladding all around. Unlike the Nexon and Harrier, the cabin is more upright, lending a more tall-boy crossover look. Being based on the Altroz platform, the rear door handles are integrated into the C pillar design along with the 90 degree opening doors, similar to the Altroz.

The rear design is more traditional, with a simple chiseled tailgate and raked rear glass. The rear bumper houses the Registration plate, being flanked by big reflectors. Unlike the off road spec tyres on the concept, the Punch will get 16” dual tone alloys on the top spec variants. All except the base model is expected to get roof rails also. Similar to the Altroz, only the higher variants will get rear wiper with washer and defogger.

DIMENSIONS The Tata Punch will slot below the Altroz in both, dimensions and positioning. The HBX concept was 3840mm in length, 1822mm in width and 1635mm in height. While the width and height of the production version may differ slightly, the Punch will be longer than the Tiago while being taller than the Nexon. It is also expected to be similar in width to the NEXON.

INTERIOR The overall design and layout of the interior will be almost identical to the HBX concept. Similar to the Altroz, the Punch will offer a dual tone theme, with a centrally mounted freestanding 7” Touchscreen on top. The lower variants will also get the Harman monochrome audio system carried over from the lower variants of the Nexon and Altroz. On the top most Variant, the Punch will also offer the semi digital TFT instrument cluster setup similar to the Altroz XZ+.

Other features will include Cruise control, Auto headlamps and wipers, Smart key access with push button start, Engine auto start/Stop system, Auto climate control, Power windows and Auto folding ORVMs. The 7” touchscreen will offer 6 Harman speakers, standard Android auto / Apple carplay connectivity, What3words based navigation, IRA connected car features and Voice command controls for Media, FM, Auto AC and Calls.

While a front Armrest will not be offered, the rear seats will get a center armrest along with adjustable headrests only on the higher variants.

PRACTICALITY  Being almost as wide as the Nexon, the Punch will have a flatter rear bench, making it more comfortable for 3 abreast seating. Similar to the Altroz, the Punch will have a plethora of storage options including bottle and umbrella holders on the doors, a large cooled glovebox and cubbyholes in the center Console. The Boot space is expected to be at around 300L, which is better than the Maruti Suzuki Ignis and the Mahindra KUV100.

POWERTRAIN  The Tata Punch will continue with the same 1.2L 3cyl Revotron petrol engine from the Altroz. This engine produces 86PS of max Power and 113NM of peak torque with the option of a 5 speed manual gearbox or an AMT. The Tata Punch is also likely to offer an Economy drive mode for better efficiency. The higher variants will also offer Auto Engine Start/Stop feature.

It is likely that the iTurbo petrol or the Revotorq Turbo diesel could also be offered on the Tata Punch.

POSITIONING Being a feature loaded sub compact crossover SUV with the mentioned dimensions and powertrain options, the Tata Punch can compete with various cars across categories. The Lower specced variants could target the Renault Kwid and Maruti Suzuki Spresso. The mid level variants could aim for the 1.2L petrol versions of the WagonR, Ignis and the Mahindra KUV100. The most feature loaded top variant could rival the 1.0L non turbo variants of the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite; along with the 1.2L non turbo variants of the Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet.

PRICING & LAUNCH 

       The Tata Punch sub compact SUV is expected to be launched in the month of October. Pricing is expected to start from Rs.4.99L for the base variant and go up to Rs.7L for the XZ variant. (All prices ex showroom) Stay tuned for further updates on the Tata Punch sub compact SUV.