Tata Motors is readying up the petrol version of the Safari SUV for launch in 2025, and a production-ready model was recently spied testing on Bengaluru roads. The petrol powered Safari is tipped to make a debut at the upcoming Bharat Mobility Expo of 2025 in January, alongside the Harrier Petrol.
Image courtesy UtsavTechie
Apart from the Harrier, the new turbo petrol engine that will power the Safari will also make it to the Sierra, which will first arrive as an electric SUV later this year followed by a petrol version.
Brand new 1.5 liter turbo petrol engine
Tata Motors will offer the brand new 1.5 liter turbo petrol engine on 3 SUVs – Harrier, Safari and Sierra. Two years ago, at the 2023 Indian Auto Expo, Tata Motors had showcased this engine, and finally it’s now time for putting it into production cars.
The 1.5 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged petrol motor makes 168 Bhp-280 Nm, and is likely to get 6 speed manual and dual clutch automatic gearbox options. This engine will drive the front wheels of the Safari, Harrier and Sierra.
No all wheel drive though!
Those expecting all wheel drive on the Safari, Harrier and Sierra will have to opt for the all-electric versions of these SUVs, which are also due for launch next year. Adding an all wheel drive layout to an electric car by positioning one electric motor on each of the two axles is far easier than designing an all wheel drive system for a petrol/diesel powered car. This is why most automakers will opt for all wheel drive mainly in their electric models.
Circling back to the new petrol engine, it will fill a big void that currently exists in the Harrier and Safari line – of that of not having a petrol engine option while the competition (read Mahindra XUV700, Hyundai Alcazar, MG Hector, etc.) offers it.
Adding a petrol engine to the Safari and Harrier could make both SUVs more popular in the Delhi NCR, where the lack of a petrol engine means that many buyers are hesitant to buy as they fear the 10 year diesel car ban.
Not for the mileage conscious
Don’t expect the Harrier and Safari Petrols to be frugal cars though. It’s a lot of work for a 1.5 liter turbo petrol engine to lug around large SUVs such as the Harrier and Safari. So, if driven aggressively, expect mileage to be about 6-7 Kmpl. Turbo petrol engines offer the best mileage when driven gently, and this is something buyers will have to keep in mind as otherwise, turbo petrols on large SUVs could prove to be quite thirsty.
In fact, the Mahindra XUV700, Thar ROXX, Scorpio-N and even the Thar 3 door models, all of which use the 2 liter turbo petrol engine, often return mileage figures of 5-7 Kmpl when driven hard. While this engine with 200 Bhp-380 Nm is more powerful than Tata Motors’ new 1.5 liter turbo petrol, these engines in general are not great for mileage. For great mileage, diesel is still the best bet.
Meanwhile, the turbo petrol versions of the Tata Harrier and Safari are expected to be cosmetically similar to their diesel engined models. Real change in styling will come with the electric variants of the Harrier and Safari. As for pricing, the new Tata SUVs with the 1.5 turbo petrol are likely to be about Rs. 1 lakh cheaper, making them quite attractive to buyers. Currently, the Harrier Diesel starts from Rs. 14.99 lakh while the Safari Diesel starts from Rs. 15.49 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.
