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

the successor to legendary and iconic Safari SUV.

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.

Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled their next generation All-new Tucson SUV on 14th September. The Tucson has been one among their most popular products and the new model is expected to attract even more customers through its cutting-edge design, class leading digital capabilities, dynamic ride and handling and excellent fuel efficiency. This here is a quick walkthrough on the highlights of this new Tucson SUV.

Exterior:

       The new Hyundai Tucson, sports a unique and radical design language. On the front fascia, the Tucson features the new “Parametric Hidden Lights” design, in which the headlamps blend

in with the Jewel-like cascading grille itself. The 2021 Tucson will be longer and wider than the current model. The sides have sharp, dynamic creases lending the SUV a much more athletic stance. The roof line features Chrome mouldings which flow from the A pillar to the tailgate whereas the LED Tail lamps are connected by long LED bar. The new Tucson also receives unique looking 18 & 19” alloy wheels.

Interior:

       The new Hyundai Tucson’s INTERSPACE interior features a design layout similar to the Hyundai Creta, with a wraparound design and waterfall like center console. The Tucson also receives soft touch premium materials all around.

The interior is expected to sport a flowing cockpit theme while being loaded with features.

 Here's an extensive list of features on the new Tucson:

• 10.25” touchscreen system

• BOSE surround sound

• Blue link connectivity

• Fully digital Hoodless instrument cluster

• Hyundai digital key

• Dual zone auto climate control

• Multi Air Ventilation system

• 64 colour Ambient lighting

• Leather upholstery

• Ventilated seats

• Split folding & tumbling rear seats

• Panoramic sunroof

• Electronic Parking brake

• 7 airbags

• Traction drive modes

The Tucson will also feature an extensive list of safety features:

• Highway Driving Assist

• Forward Collision Avoidance Assist

• Lane keeping Assist

• Lane Following Assist

• Blind Spot View Monitor

• Surround View Monitor

• Reverse parking collision avoidance assist

• Remote Smart Park Assist

• High Beam Assist

• Driver Attention Warning

• Advanced Smart Cruise control

• Safe Exit warning

Powertrains:

       The new Tucson will be available with two petrol engine options. The 2.5L Smartstream Gasoline Direct Injection engine produces 190PS Power & 247NM torque through an 8 Speed automatic transmission. The 1.6L hybrid powertrain on the other hand produces a combined output of 230PS & 347NM.

The Tucson will also be available with Hyundai's HTRAC all-wheel-drive system with multiple drive modes; Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, Mud, Sand & Snow.

Launch & price:

       The all-new Tucson goes on sale in Korea in September as a 2021 model. It will go on sale in the U.S. and other global markets as a 2022 model starting from the first half of 2021.

Skoda India has officially launched the Automatic range of their best selling Rapid mid size Sedan. Launched earlier this year, the BS6 Rapid TSI was available with only a 6 speed manual transmission till now.

The Skoda Rapid BS6 is available with a 1.0L TSI 3 cyl turbo petrol engine only producing 110PS Power and 175NM Torque. The manufacturer has introduced a new 6 speed torque converter automatic transmission which is the same as on the Polo and Vento TSI.

This Automatic gearbox is available on all except the entry level Rider variant of the Rapid TSI:

• Rider plus

• Ambition

• Onyx

• Style

• Monte Carlo

Other than the transmission

changes, the top spec Style variant of the Rapid Sedan will carry forward the same features as before:

• Projector headlamps with LED DRLs

• Auto folding ORVMs

• 16” Alloy wheels

• Automatic climate control

• Auto headlamps & wipers

• Cruise control

• 7” Touchscreen system

• Android auto & Apple carplay

• Reverse camera

• 6 way adjustable driver seat with lumbar support

• Leather upholstery

• Auto dimming IRVM

• Front and Rear centre armrests

• Smart Power windows with anti pinch

• Remote central locking

• Rear defogger

• Front and rear fog lamps

Safety:

       Safety features on the Rapid TSI includes:

• ABS with EBD

• Dual airbags

• Side airbags (on Style variant only)

• Perimetric alarm system

• Pretensioner seatbelts

Launch & price:

        The new Automatic range of the Skoda Rapid TSI is priced from Rs9.49L to Rs13.29L (Ex-showroom prices); at a premium of around ?1.5L over the manual variants. The new Rapid TSI competes against the likes of the VW Vento TSI, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, the new Honda City and the Toyota Yaris.