Time starts ticking for its market debut as the Tata Safari 2021 starts production
The all new Tata Safari is set to be launched this month and the company has already started the production in the Pune plant and bookings are to open later this month. The Safari, earlier known as the Gravitas is essentially the seven-seat variant of the popular five-seater SUV, Harrier. Tata Motors has now finally revealed the final production guise of the SUV ahead of the actual market launch.
The new Safari very much remains the same as the Gravitas showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo. However, the production model does feature some new elements, including a new front grille bearing Tata’s tri-arrow motifs plated generously with Chrome, split-headlamps and door handles garnished with chrome and a completely different rear silhouette. The SUV sits on the same set of alloy wheels as the Harrier and it also gets a panoramic sunroof.
The new Safari is built on Tata’s OMEGA ARC platform which is derived from Land Rover’s proven D8 architecture. More interestingly, this adaptive platform will make way for many powertrain enhancements in the future, including AWD and electrification. This essentially means that the Safari would have the FWD layout at launch, with the AWD iteration anticipated to join only 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, necessary to accommodate the third row of seats. Both the SUVs have a similar front fascia design. The Safari, however, is very different from the Harrier past its C-pillar. It gets roof rails, larger rear quarter glass, an elevated roof, a new boot-lid and a new set of tail lights. The Safari also gets a new Harbour Blue paint shade.
Tata hasn’t shared any details of the New Safari interior as of now but has confirmed that it’ll get an Oyster White theme accompanied by ash wood inserts on the dashboard. 2021 Tata Safari is expected to 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, 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 engine from the Harrier, still pumping out 170hp and 350Nm and mated either to a six-speed manual or a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.
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 new Safari 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. With production already on, the bookings for the SUV will start soon.
