• Introduction

The Tata Safari is here and it’s all set to hit the Indian asphalt, it is however a bit controversial. It is a combination of power and elegance. The all new Safari is built on the Optimal Modular Efficient Global Architecture (OMEGARC) platform which is emanated from the legendary D8 platform of Land Rover, this means that despite the controversy, the Safari is a very capable vehicle and can prove itself really well. Being Tata Motor’s flagship SUV, the Safari is reborn and set to dominate the SUV segment in India. Tata has made the new Safari robust, functional, dependable and most importantly futuristic, all the elements that would be required in an SUV. The dominant SUV stance, comfortable and plush interior along strong and spirited performance is what gets the all-new Safari going.

• Exterior

The new Safari is bold and completely refreshed with exterior details like the dual-tone front bumper, signature tri-arrow chrome grille, flared wheel arches and protective side cladding. The roof of the new Safari is completed with stylish roof rails and iconic Safari branding. The Xenon HID projector headlamps and Dulal function LED DRL’s look absolutely stunning and futuristic. The tail lamps are Tata’s signature Twin LED set-up that again is neatly done. Coming to the wheels, the all-new Safari gets these really gorgeous 18″ Machined alloy wheels that go extremely well with the sophisticated body design.

• Cabin

The cabin is dressed in materials of the finest quality, giving it’s occupants a luxurious and elegant feel. Another important factor of the cabin is that it seats 7 passengers comfortably which is much needed since not many SUVs in this range have decent room to fit 7 effortlessly without squeezing in. Since we’re inside the cabin of the Safari, let’s talk seats, and they are beautiful and very comfortable, premium Benecke Kaliko™ oyster white leather seats and door inserts. The steering wheel and gear knob wrapped in leather gives you a premium feel every time you step into the driver’s seat, ready to go. Since the all-new Safari has a 3rd-row seating, let’s talk about the comforts it has to offer to those occupying it. The dedicated AC unit with AC vents, USB mobile charger, cup holder and a reading lamp in the 3rd row most definitely add to the practicality. The majestic Panoramic sunroof, not only beautiful but practical and safe for the users to have fun with and since it’s rain sensitive, you need not worry about rainwater getting into the cabin. To make things a tidy bit interesting the new Safari houses features like Boss mode that lets you stretch your legs and create the space you need. You can also opt for 2 individual Captain’s seats in the second row. Beautiful Ambient Mood lighting along with fully automatic temperature control (FATC) make things a lot more relaxed in the cabin, especially if you’ve had a long day and need to refresh yourself, your Safari will do it right.

• Engine and transmission

Powering the Safari is a 2.0-litre Kyrotech Turbo diesel mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission producing 170 PS of power and 350 NM of torque. The Kyrotech being an incredibly refined motor makes the driving experience quite effortless. The Safari also gets a bunch of different modes to choose from, for instance, Eco, City, Sport and then there’s the ESP terrain response (Normal, rough and wet) to help you tackle those difficult terrains. Cruise control is another really important feature that makes driving in bumper to bumper traffic, less distressing. The Safari sits on Hydra Bush Suspension in the front derived from the D8 platform and Twist Blade suspension in the rear designed by Lotus Engineering UK to suit the Indian road conditions.

Conclusion

The Safari will be a success since it’s well suited for the Indian market, features that are indeed futuristic and much needed to make driving in a country like India, comforting and less stressful. The D8 platform is highly capable of on and mild off-roading, making the new Safari a strong competitor to its rivals.