The SUV was first released in 1998 with a 1.9-litre Turbo Diesel engine.
The Safari was extensively modified in August 2005, which included the addition of a new 3-litre DiCOR engine along with modified interiors and exteriors. This 3-litre engine is the first diesel engine from Tata Motors with common rail technology. A 2-litre petrol engine was also added to the range that same year. It was this modified version that won the Motor Forum's Car of the Year for 2007, in the SUV category. Voted by the users, it beat out rivals such as the Toyota RAV 4, Land Rover Freelander and Honda CRV.
When the Tata Safari initially hit the market it was taken as a symbolic representation of adventure and freedom. With the passage of time however many foreign manufacturers released their own versions of the utility vehicle into the Indian market with the result that the Tata Safari fell out of fashion. To match up to the raised standards set by the foreign companies Tata reintroduced an enhanced version of the Safari known as the Safari DiCOR (Direct Injection CommonRail Diesel).
In October 2007 Tata unveiled the 2.2-litre Safari DiCOR which had an increased power output of 143 PS (105 KW). But it was shortly replaced by the more advanced DiCOR 2.2 vtt (Variable Turbine Technology) engine which had a power output of 140 PS (103 kW) at 4000 rpm and a torque output of 320 N·m (236 ft·lbf) at 1700 rpm. It is widely regarded as the best engine used by Tata motors.
Safari is packed with following comfort and safety features:
- Dual tone exteriors in selected shades.
- Leather cum fabric upholstery.
- Reverse guide system with camera in rear bumper.
- ABS with EBD.
- Turn indicators on outer rear view mirrors.
- Alloy wheels.
- Available in both 4×2 and 4×4 versions.
- Power Windows.
- Power Steering.
- Remote Central Locking.
- Tubeless Tyres.
- Rear Wiper with Washer.
- Rear Defogger.
- Tiltable & Collapsible Steering Column.
Tata recently launched a new variant of safari called safari GX. The new Safari GX sits just below current top end variant Safari VX. Safari Gx gets dual tone exteriors, unique leather cum fabric upholstery, Reverse Guide System using a camera in the rear bumper and the Internal Rearview Mirror as the Screen. Another new feature is indicators on the Outer Rear View Mirrors.
Safari GX has been launched at a price of Rs. 9.95 lakhs for the 4×2 version and 10.87 lakhs for the 4×4 version. The price of the Safari DiCOR range starts at Rs.7.67 lakhs. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.
The safari is an excellent SUV, it always had image and road prescence going for it, it has a spacious cabin, which can comfortably seat 7 and loads of luggage. You can keep cruising all day long without much feeling too tired, build quality is also steadily improving, but still suffers from a few rough edges. If one is looking for a comfortable SUV that is able to do the highway and town circuit quite well, then safari is the best option..
Reclaim Your Life!!!
