Tata Motors has just added new features to the Harrier and Safari SUVs. Prices of both SUVs have been hiked marginally, by up to Rs. 31,000 on the Harrier, and Rs. 20,000 on the Safari. These feature additions will make the Harrier and Safari more attractive in the highly competitive mid-size and full-size SUV segments.
What’s new on the Harrier?
The Harrier gets USB Type-C ports in the front row across all variants. The second row passengers will get this feature from the XZ trim onwards. The ESP safety feature now gets enhancements such as panic brake alert, post-impact brake activation and driver doze-off alert on the XZS trim. The XZ+ trims see the biggest bump up in features with a wireless charger, usage analytics, monthly health report, drive analytics, auto and manual DTC check, electronic parking brake and disc brakes on all four wheels.
Also read: Coming soon: Tata Safari Dark Edition
What’s new on the Safari?
The Gold Edition of the SUV gets iRA features while the XZ+ variants get comfort head restraints as standard.
Mechanically, both SUVs remain unchanged. Both SUVs use the tried and tested 2 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged diesel engine sourced from Fiat. The Multijet diesel motor makes 168 Bhp of peak power and 350 Nm of peak torque. There are two gearboxes on offer with this engine on both the Safari and Harrier – a 6 speed manual, and a Hyundai 6 speed torque converter automatic. Both gearboxes drive the front wheels of the SUVs, and there’s no all wheel drive on offer even as an optional extra.
What next for the Harrier and Safari?
2023 will see Tata Motors launching facelifted versions of both the Harrier and Safari. Apart from refreshed styling, both SUVs are likely to gain ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) features. The ADAS package on the Tata Safari and Harrier could consist of automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot detection and lane change warning. The facelifted Harrier and Safari are likely to be the first Tata cars to get ADAS.
The bigger change is coming…
That’s right. Tata Motors is putting together an electric variant of the Harrier, which is expected to be launched sometime in the second half of next year. The electric Harrier could be showcased at the 2023 Indian Auto Expo. Eventually, the electric powertrain is likely to make it to the Tata Safari as well given the fact that the SUV shares its platform and most parts with the Harrier. The electric Harrier is expected to cost about Rs. 20-22 lakh, making it one of the priciest cars in Tata Motors’ line up.
Petrol engine out!
While there has been talk about Tata Motors developing a 1.6 liter turbocharged petrol engine for use on the Harrier and Safari, the upcoming real time driving emission (RDE) norms, which are much stricter than BS6 norms, have seen the petrol engine getting dumped in favour of electric powertrains.
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Via Team-BHP
