Tata Safari Storme at the 2012 Auto Expo
Tata Motors has showcased their
new Tata Safari Storme at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Safari Storme is based on the
Tata Aria platform and has new underpinnings. The size and outward appearance
of the SUV, however, remain largely unchanged.
On the outside, the front and
rear end of the Safari have been reworked and facelifted. The Storme is shod
with 17-inch Bridgestone 235/65 tyres. The car also comes with new projector
headlamps, a new power bulge on the hood, a new grille, new tailgate, new
chrome-tipped exhaust and aerodynamic spoiler on the rear.
On the inside are a host of new
features that make the Safari Storme more premium and livable. The insides are
also more spacious now and come with beige seats and a leather wrapped steering
wheel. The gear lever gets a chrome tip too, while the dash and door get
wood-finish. There is a new instrument cluster as well, and for comfort of the
driver and front seat passenger is a lumbar support feature.
Onto the engine, then. The Safari
gets a 2.2-litre 16-valve common-rail DiCOR engine that makes 138 bhp and has
32.4 kgm of peak torque on offer. This is mated to a 5-speed gearbox, same as
the one on the Tata Aria. This gearbox was upgraded from the one on the older
Safari. The car also has rack and pinion steering, dual SRS airbags.
While the car is 85 per cent new,
due to the mild changes to the exterior, it does look like all that has
happened is a facelift, however.