Is This The New Tata Safari?
In a recent picture that surfaced online, we get to see what looks like a tastefully modified Tata Safari Storme. The caption reads "This is exactly how the Tata Safari Classic should look if Tata Relaunches it." and the same added to public anticipation. Many believed that Tata Motors could soon launch the vehicle they saw in the picture. The reality, however, is different. This is just a digital render that combines the design cues of The Safari Storme and its predecessors. This is not something that would make it to production.
Tata Safari Digitally Imagined
This visualisation of the next-generation Safari is indeed interesting. It looks like someone took away all the bummers from the Storme's design and beefed it up with cleaner lines, more pleasant surfaces and elements like an off-road bumper, large off-road tyres, integrated fog lamps, roof lights, LED DRLs, and roof rails. Almost everything on the exterior has been Blacked out. This would have been a Dark Edition model if Tata were to actually put it into production.
The design evidently has a strong focus on off-roading abilities. It is also a reminder that Tata Motors should bring back the Safari with its legendary design and a proper 4x4 setup. Four Wheel Drive has always been an integral part of the Safari's legacy.
The Legacy Of Safari
With the OG Safari, Tata Motors wanted to create India's first affordable premium SUV that packed ride quality, off-road capability and desirable aesthetics. Right from when it was first showcased in 1998, the Safari had 4x4.
The original Safari was built on a ladder-frame chassis and came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine. Over time, Tata Motors rolled out several updates on the model, making it all the more desirable. The Safari got a larger 3.0-litre DiCOR engine in 2005 and an improved 2.2-litre DiCOR engine in 2007. These engine upgrades made the performance and fuel efficiency better.
In 2012, Tata Motors launched the Safari Storme with a heavily improved (read modernized) design, better suspension and a mightier Varicor diesel engine. This engine also made an appearance on the Hexa as well. Towards the end of 2019, Tata Motors discontinued the Safari Storme.
After a brief hiatus, the ' Safari' moniker was revived when the new Safari was launched in 2021, which came as a monocoque SUV! It is based on the Land Rover D8-derived OMEGARC platform and houses the Stellantis-sourced 2.0L diesel engine under its hood.
The transition to monocoque limited its off-road capability to a great extent. While it offers good ride quality and loads of features, the new Safari leaves the void for a 4x4 body-on-frame Tata SUV unaddressed.
Through the years, the Safari has evolved from a rugged off-roader to a sophisticated family SUV with Front Wheel Drive (FWD)- a change not everyone is happy about. Tata Motors should have ideally revived the Safari as a 4x4 SUV rather than merely renaming the 'Gravitas'! If you look at the other Indian SUV major, the Scorpio-N owns a distinctive, desirable proposition and has a strong market footprint. Tata, however, lacks an honest rival to it.
Having these said, it makes sense for people to wish the render to be put to production. The OG Safari has a cult following in India and the render satisfies them by being a tasteful evolution of the Safari that you and I have loved and admired- in both the way it looks and how off-road ready it stands.