The powerful SUV TATA s SAFARI STORME
Tata Motors offers its customers a brand new offering, its new generation Safari, named as Tata Safari Storme. This rules out all the claims that it will be called Merlin which was only used as its codename. Safari Storme made its debut at India’s biggest Auto show, Auto Expo 2012 organized at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 7th January to 11th January 2012. The new SUV is basically a nicely updated and enhanced version of Tata Safari. The next generation Safari had been testing since early 2010. Tata Safari Storme has an advantage on its old-rival- the Scorpio- as it hasn't been updated yet (though Mahindra has began work on the new Scorpio). The Safari Storme is now based on the X2 platform, which is Tata's new ladder chassis that is also shared with its flagship model, the Aria. This is a hydroform chassis, which helps to reduce the weight of Safari and improves the ride and handling characteristics. On the outside, the Storme resembles a lot to its sibling but many changes have been made on the car. The SUV will feature the same masculine 2.2-litre of DiCOR diesel engine that would churn out peak power of 138bhp along with 320Nm of maximum torque.
The engine is coupled with a revamped and refreshed G76 MKII-5 speed manual transmission for better gear shifts. The icing on the cake is that Tata Storme is offered in a four wheel drive version accompanied with a low gear ratio that would be made available in the top variant of Tata Safari Storme. Visually, this brand new SUV has been given a major makeover and the interiors have also been updated substantially. When heading inside the new Tata Safari Storme, the dashboard is intelligently designed with ample of faux wood that makes it look subtle and sophisticated and the quality of the upholstery is high-class. Tata Motors is well aware of the fact that Indian consumers give as much weightage to the interior comfort of the car as to the engine specifications. The exteriors of Tata Storme have been toned down from being much masculine to more gentleman now. More chrome indicates premium, as is the case most of the Indian cars.
The exterior of all new Tata Safari Storme comprises of refurbished headlamps along with new design at the front end that makes the SUV look more up to date and fashionable. Fresh wide grille, new wraparound headlamps with projectors, thick chrome band on radiator grille, newly designed front bumper with round fog lamps are the elements of new face. On the other hand, the rear end got a major cosmetic makeover to make it different from Tata Safari, the wheel from the back door has been moved below the car. This time around, Tata Motors has its hopes high regarding the sales figures of Tata Safari Storme. Earlier too, Tata Safari was one of the best selling cars by the company and with the next-gen Storme; the company aims a little higher. Price wise, the company hasn’t revealed the exact price range of Tata Storme, but rumour has it that the new Tata Safari Storme will be competitively priced thereby giving the Indian consumers an ease to purchase it.
The all new Tata Safari Storme delivers an impressive mileage, which would make this SUV one of the best in the lot. The car has 2.2-litre of DOHC DICOR diesel engine that churns out peak power of 138bhp at the rate of 4000rpm accompanied with peak torque of 320Nm at the rate of 1700rpm. With the so much of power and torque produced by the engine, the fuel economy of Tata Safari Storme shouldn’t be a problem. The mileage of the new Safari Storme too has been increased, the two-wheel drive option returns an impressive 14kmpl, while the 4wd offers 13.2kmpl.
The 2012 Tata Safari Storme has sufficient power. With a 2.2-litre of DOHC DICOR diesel engine- displacing 2197cc- the power churned out by this bold engine is inspiring. The fresh and new Tata Safari Storme acquiesce an impressive power of 138bhp at 4000 rpm along with 320Nm of torque at 1700-2700 rpm . The engine will have dual mass fly-wheel that would ensure minimum noise, vibration and harshness. Adding more charm to this, would be the five-speed manual gearbox along with low friction bearing that would enhance the overall driving experience. However, there is a distinct possibility that the company would provide the SUV with a six speed automatic transmission in near future.
The exteriors of the new Tata Safari Storme are done under close surveillance of the highly qualified Tata Motors engineers . The looks of Safari Storme are masculine and just right. The exteriors have been totally refreshed and look very different from the original Tata Safari. The front end of the SUV is pretty neat and unsoiled and is ideal for the youth professionals of India. The low beam projector headlamps are nicely L-shaped together with flat proportions. In terms of styling for the Safari Storme, it seems that Tata Motors is highly inspired from the sister concern-Range Rover. This SUV will also sport body colored bumper and the round fog lights placed on the bumpers take the look a bit higher. The five twin spoke alloy wheels complete the overall look of the new Tata Safari Storme. The side profile of Safari Storme comprise of body colored door handles aligned smartly along the body. Just like Tata Safari, the ORVMs sports more integrated turn indicator lights and are also electrically foldable. The windows at both the side are electrically controlled and the tinted glasses add more charm to the look of the SUV. The keyless entry and the remote fuel filler are the exterior features that add an edgy and luxurious feel to the Storme SUV.
Moving to the rear end of the all new Tata Storme, the revamped square tail lamps together with body design are quite appealing parts of the car, which are extremely inspired from the Land Rover. The best part of the new Tata Safari Storme is that the spare tyre is now relocated and has been placed under the chassis, which makes the tail gate lighter in weight. Rear spoiler and roof rails cuts the air when the cult SUV will hit the highway. What adds more appeal to the rear end of the car is the dual chrome plated trapezoidal exhaust pipes, which make Storme more robust and aggressive. The car also comprises of a rear defogger and a rear wiper to cope up with extreme rain and fog. Overall, the proper SUV feel is taken away from the new generation Safari and the exterior looks are now tamed so that more Safaris are seen on urban roads along with highways and off-roads.
The Tata Safari Storme is basically a seven seater and is loaded with ample of features. All new Tata Safari Storme sports new meter dials with white backlight. The black and beige dash of the car with improved plastics comes withpowerful air conditioning system with climate control and 2 AC vents . The analog clock is much better and readable than before. It is a personal guess that Storme is come loaded with a Multi-information Display also. The cup holders now comes ahead of the gearbox so that driver can easily place glass/cup it them. The cubby holes now become deeper for more storage area, a requisite in SUV. The CD can actually be loaded or ejected comfortably even when the transmission is in 3rd gear which was a congested affair in Safari. There is a new round knob behind the gear can be used for easy switching between two wheel drive and four wheel drive. The power windows and power steering aid the driver and the passengers to have an effortless and easy ride. Headlamp controls are given just near the steering for the driver. A slight moderation is given to the door pads. The seats are leather covered, which gives a posh ambience to the interiors of the SUV and the third Interior Comfortrow passengers seat is foldable. Even the middle 60:40 split seats are foldable. The driver seat is manually adjusted and the cabin of Tata Safari Storme is less noisy while cruising and acceleration. On the whole, the interiors of the new Tata Storme have a sense of comfort and style, which helps it to move a notch higher amongst its competitors.
Interior Comfort
The comfort level of Tata Safari Storme is up to the mark. This new SUV of Tata Motors is quite spacious and has room for 7 adults. What enhances the comfort of the car is the air conditioning system that has been accompanied with climate control. The rear air conditioning vents are properly fitted now in the next gen Safari. The leather seats are foldable. Storme comes with power windows, remote fuel filler and remote central locking. Remote boot and MP3 DVD player is also available. The other bonus features of Tata Storme comprise of tinted glass, ORVM indicator, rear wiper, electric door side mirrors and rear defogger. It is expected that cruise control will also be present in the new SUV. In the comfort level of the car, the new Tata Safari Storme is complete win-win as compared to the original Tata Safari. The brand new and refreshed Tata Safari, or should we say, Tata Safari Storme will come with five twin spoke alloy wheels, which are inspired from Tata Aria. The ABS feature connects the wheel in order to cut down friction and avert the wheels from wearing and tearing. The tyre measurement of Tata Safari Storme is 235/70 R16 105 S along with the ground clearance of 195mm. The spare wheel will also be provided, which would be placed just beneath chassis.
Interior Measurements
The all new Tata Safari Storme has a very improved cabin in terms of space and comfort. The headroom and legroom at the rear, front and the 3rd row are above average. The wheelbase of the SUV is enhanced thereby increasing the rear legroom. The boot space of Tata Storme is 981 litres, but the SUV lacks remote boot, which is a bit of disappointment.
DICOR diesel engine
All new Tata Strome comes with an impressive 2.2 litre of DOHC DICOR diesel engine, which operated with very less harshness, noise and vibration. The engine delivers superb performance with brilliant acceleration and awesome fuel efficiency. The engine of Tata Storme has a displacement of2179cc that churns out peak power of 138bhp at rate of 4000rpm along with 320Nm of maximum torque at the rate of 1700 rpm . The icing on the cake is that Tata Storme has an excellent acceleration that aids the SUV in touching 100 km per hour speed in merely few seconds. With such superior performance, the new Tata Storme will give a tough competition to Mahindra XUV 500.
Tata Safari Storme Variants
| Variants | Transmission | Engine Description | Mileage | Power | AC | Power Steering | Central Locking | |
| City | Highway | |||||||
| (Diesel) | Manual | 2179cc 4 Cylinder 16 Valve | 10.8 | 14.0 | 138.1bhp @ 4000rpm | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| (Diesel) | Manual | 2179cc 4 Cylinder 16 Valve | 10.8 | 14.0 | 138.1bhp @ 4000rpm | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| (Diesel) | Manual | 2179cc 4 Cylinder 16 Valve | 10.8 | 14.0 | 138.1bhp @ 4000rpm | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| (Diesel) | Manual | 2179cc 4 Cylinder 16 Valve | 9.3 | 13.2 | 138.1bhp @ 4000rpm | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Tata Safari Storme Price
Tata Safari Storme Variants Price
Tata Safari Storme prices were updated on 25 Oct 2012| Variants | New Delhi | Bangalore | Mumbai | Chennai | Pune | Hyderabad | Kolkata | |
| (Diesel) | - | - | 9,95,002 | - | - | 9,95,037 | 9,95,006 | |
| (Diesel) | - | - | 10,87,983 | - | - | 10,85,885 | 10,83,744 | |
| (Diesel) | - | - | 12,47,226 | - | - | 12,42,898 | 12,41,255 | |
| (Diesel) | - | - | 13,74,455 | - | - | 13,72,389 | 13,69,191 |
