Tata Safari Storme 2012 (Upcoming)

Tata Safari Storme will launch : Early 2012

Tata Safari Storme price will be : Rs. 7-11 Lakhs (estimated)

Tata Safari Storme made its debut at the New Delhi Auto Expo 2012. The new Tata Safari Storme is a symbol of appearance and performance, accurate to its 4WD pedigree; it has a host of technologies and new exteriors and interiors. The front has an advanced new grill, new projector headlamps and a 'power bulge' on the bonnet. New chrome-tipped accompanying exhausts, the tailgate in an all-new guise and aerodynamic spoilers uplift the rear, with the additional tyre placed beneath the vehicle.

The Safari Storme has a 2.2L 16-valve common rail (DiCOR) engine which delivers 140 PS power with 320 Nm torque. It is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission which is an electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) system which enables shifting from 2WD to 4WD even on the move. The turning circle radius of 5.4 metres, 200 mm ground clearance, electrically operated ORVMs and a reverse parking system makes driving convenient on any terrain. There is a new instrument cluster for the comfort of the driver and front seat passenger is a lumbar support feature. The Safari Storme seems to be good mileage runner but the engine lacks the punch. Tata Safari Storme features huge alloy wheels of 235/70 R16 105 S in size. In terms of the safety, there are 4-channel ABS with EBD, disc brakes on all wheels, a new rack-and-pinion steering system, rigid ladder frame construction with hydro-formed long members, crumple zones, side intrusion beams on all doors, collapsible steering column, dual SRS airbags, inertia switch and an auto engine immobiliser.

The interiors have been revamped and it now gets grab door handles. The luxurious and airy beige interiors, give the vehicle a spacious and opulent feel. The insides are spacious and come with leather wrapped steering wheel. Moving deeper into the Safari Storme and you will find serious changes. In fact, the underpinnings are all new. The old chassis of the Safari has been done away with and it has a more shortened version of the same modern, ladder frame that holds the Aria. The 200mm reduction from the Aria's 2850mm wheelbase helps in terms of torsional rigidity and weight. The hydroformed chassis of the Storme is 35kg lighter but at the same time is a staggering 45 per cent stiffer than the old Safari chassis.

The suspension too is a goner from the old Safari. The old torsion beam front-end suspension has been replaced by the Aria's double wishbone and MacPherson struts. They have also tuned the dampers to suit the Storme's characteristics. The drive wheel is a rip off the Aria as well.

The Safari has been on the roads for over 13-years and still has some hard core fans. However, with competition heating up in the SUV segment, especially with the arrival of the XUV500, the Storme should have arrived at the party quite earlier. At least, when the bookings for temporarily off for the XUV500 for a period of two months. This year also marks a spate of SUV’s coming into the market like the Renault Duster, Maruti Ertiga, Mahindra Mini Xylo, Chevrolet Captiva, Toyota Innova, Toyota Fortuner, Ford EcoSport, the move seems to be a little too late.