The much respected Tata Safari nameplate is to be brought back in the country and we are all excited !
Words: Marsad Shan
The name Safari is an emotion to us, the Indians. The Safari was way ahead of its time when it was first launched in 1998. The unmatched capabilities, features, and presence, made the Safari a household name to us. I don’t know how much I miss that SUV on our roads. Each time I get to see one, I fall head over heels for it. The Safari was discontinued in December 2019 for obvious reasons. Fast forward to today and Tata Motors is all set to launch, the Gravitas as the Tata Safari 2021 in the country.
The new Safari (codenamed as the Gravitas) will lead the Tata lineup in India. The flagship SUV will carry forward its 2 decades of legacy. The 7-seater SUV was first showcased at the 2019 Geneva Motorshow as the Buzzard showcar and later previewed at the 2020 Delhi Auto Expo as the Gravitas.
“We are proud and elated to re-introduce our flagship SUV–Safari. The Safari, an iconic brand with a strong following, has been the most sought after SUV on Indian roads for well over two decades.
In its new avatar, the Safari will appeal to the socially active, fun-loving customers who seek out unique experiences and adventure. Its design, performance, versatility, features, and long-lasting build quality, reinforce the SUV lifestyle to provide unending pleasure. We are confident that the launch of the Safari will once again re-energize the market, amplifying its cult status.”
Mr. Shailesh Chandra – President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit (PVBU), Tata Motor
The new Safari is built on Tata’s OMEGA ARC platform which is derived from the proven D8 platform from Land Rover. More interestingly, this adaptive platform will make way for powertrain enhancements including AWD and electrification in future. This essentially means that the Safari would have the FWD layout upon launch, with the AWD iteration anticipated to join on a later date.
The SUV will be 4661mm long, 1894 mm wide and 1786 mm tall, the wheelbase stands at 2741 mm. In comparison with the Harrier, the Safari is 63mm longer and 80mm taller. It will have similar front fascia styling as the 5 seater SUV, however, the 7 seater SUV will have a longer rear overhang and an elevated roof to accommodate the third row. The New Safari will also be offered with different color options and a new set of alloy wheels, unlike the Harrier.
The Safari will come equipped with features and equipment we’ve already seen in the Harrier, including the 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, panoramic sunroof, rearview camera, automatic wipers, auto climate control, cruise control, hill descent control, traction control, etc.
The Safari will draw power from the same Kryotec 2.0L turbo-diesel mill pumping out 170hp and 350Nm, mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed torque converter automatic, much like the new Harrier.
The 2021 Safari will be priced some levels above its 5-seater counterpart, the Harrier, which currently retails between Rs 13.84 – 20.30 lakh. Once launched, the Gravitas will lock horns with the MG Hector Plus and Mahindra XUV 5OO. Tata Motors will officially launch the 2021 Tata Safari on Jan 26, 2021, when the country will be celebrating its 72nd Republic Day. The bookings for the SUV will open later this month.
