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.

The new Mahindra Scorpio (codename Z101) has been under testing for more more than 2 years now on public roads. The new generation model will be based on the brand new platform that is seen on the new Thar as well and will be completely all new.

Name

According to news updates, the new gen Scorpio is likely to be named with a suffix. Mahindra has trademarked the name “Scorpio Sting” for the new SUV. It is also likely that a special variant with the name “Scorpio-n” will be launched later.

Design

The new Scorpio will be longer and wider than before, but still

the overall design will continue to be butch and upright, staying true to the current gen model. The larger dimensions will help in providing better cabin space.

The design language will be evolutionary and will feature strong character lines that run along the sides, including a pronounced kink on the rear door that pushes upwards along with the window line; similar to the current gen model and the XUV siblings as well. At the back, it is likely that the new Scorpio will continue using a side-hinged door with vertically placed tail-lights.

Interior

Similar to the exterior, the new Scorpio will get an evolutionary yet fresh interior design too. The new upright dashboard is likely to house large portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system. Most of the switchgear will be shared with other Mahindra models like the new Thar and the Marazzo. The new SUV will also offer features such as Auto climate control, Auto headlamps, auto wipers, electric sunroof, side airbags, ESP, hill hold and leather upholstery on certain variants.

Powertrain

The new Scorpio SUV is expected to come with the same 140PS, 2.2-litre diesel with a 6 speed manual gearbox as the current model. The new 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 153PS is also likely to be offered with a 6 speed manual. The 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox from the Thar is also expected to offered with both engines. Mahindra will provide four-wheel drive as well on the top spec variants, similar to the outgoing model.

Launch

The new generation Scorpio will be unveiled by May 2021, with an expected price range of Rs.11-18L ex showroom.

Stay tuned for further updates.

 

The Nissan Magnite compact SUV was launched earlier this month starting from Rs.4.99L (ex-showroom) for the entry level XE Variant, making it the most affordable sub-4m SUV in the country. We may have read the brochure or virtually checked out the base Variant through Nissan’s website, however no one has seen the entry level variant in real life until now. We have managed to get exclusive access to the base level Nissan Magnite XE variant and here is a detailed walkaround video of the same.

The Magnite XE doesn’t look too bare-bones in reality. Even this

base Variant gets the same large Octagonal grille with chrome surrounds, lending the Magnite a strong presence. However, the bumper skid plates are finished entirely in black unlike the silver skid plates on the higher Variants. The XE variant is available only with two paint schemes; white and silver. The variant features sharp-looking halogen headlamps up front, L-shaped chrome strips that take place of the LED DRLs seen on the top-end trims. Despite having the lesser powered engine, the Nissan Magnite XE comes with 16-inch Steel wheels as standard. While the ORVMs are finished in ebony black, surprisingly the door handles are body-coloured. As expected, the turn indicators are located on the front fenders on this variant. Adding to the surprises, even this base level Variant offers Silver-finished functional roof rails on the Magnite, which can withstand upto 50kg of luggage. Furthermore, this XE Variant gets rear windshield wiper, washer and demister too along with 4 reverse sensors.

Getting inside, the Magnite XE gets a dual-tone beige and black theme, along with black inside door handles, chrome surrounds for the AC vents. In terms of features, this base level variant gets only manually adjustable ORVMs with knobs on the inside; however front and rear power windows are a standard feature. The even more surprising feature, is the availability of 60 min operation for the Power windows even after removing the key. As expected, the XE Variant misses out on an audio system and Central locking. The Pizza-inspired instrument cluster with an LED 3.5-inch MID is similar to the one seen on the Renault Triber and the Kwid. Even on this base variant, the gear lever gets Chrome and piano Black accents with an art leather Boot featuring contrast white stitching. The seats, though similar to the top spec variant in comfort and design, have a more hard-wearing fabric upholstery on this base variant. More surprising features include soft fabric padding on all doors and Rear seat adjustable headrests.

Standard safety features include dual airbags, ABS with EBD, engine immobilizer, pretensioner seatbelts, rear seat adjustable headrests and reverse sensors.

The boot capacity remains the same at 336L however, this base Variant doesn't get a parcel tray or boot lamp. The rear seats can be 100% flat folded to increase cargo space though. The 15” space-saver spare wheel is neatly placed under the boot floor along with the tools.

The Nissan Magnite XE is available only with the 1.0L naturally aspirated 3 cylinder petrol engine from the Renault Triber. This engine produces 72PS power and 96Nm of torque which will be adequate in terms of performance due to the car’s relatively low 939kg kerb weight. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard.

For now, this XE variant is available for Rs.4.99L ex showroom; which translates to roughly around or above Rs.6L on road. This price is around the same range as the entry-level variants of B-segment hatchbacks such as the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Tata Tiago and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. When compared, the Nissan Magnite XE seems like an incredible value for money deal overall. However, this XE variant’s price will be increased to Rs.5.45 lakh ex-showroom on the 1st of January 2021, as confirmed by Nissan India.

The Nissan Magnite seems to revolutionize “Value for money” in the Indian Automotive industry by offering surprising number of features, more than expected space and comfort, all for compact-car money. We wish Nissan India and the Magnite all the very best.

Stay tuned for further detailed coverage and reviews.