Tata Safari Merlin

Tata has had its hands busy ever since its Jaguar-Land Rover deal, as it was able to inject unprecedented power into its cars. The first example of this was Tata Aria, and the upcoming Tata Safari Merlin is expected to be on the same lines. It is expected that the car will be launched in two variants – 4X2 and 4X4; this will surely render the manufacturer with numerous fans who want something other than the 4X4 Mahindra Scorpio.

This car has been in development for the past two years and has seen two facelifts and four engines. It will be the refurbished version of the Tata Safari; it will be known as Safari Merlin. However, it is expected that this car will be sold alongside the original variant and will bridge the gap between Safari and Aria.

 Taking a cue from Tata Aria, this car will deliver a premium experience to Indian customers. This car is expected to have upgraded gearbox, steering and suspension compared to that of the original Safari. In fact, Safari Merlin should exhibit improvements upon the Safari in all aspects, thus providing the customers with a whole new car with a familiar, high performing engine.

Engines & Specifications of the Tata Safari Merlin

 The engine of the upcoming Tata Safari Merlin will be same 2.2 L DiCOR diesel engine used in the original Safari. It is reported that the manufacturer was also experimenting with a 3.0 L diesel engine, though it did not deliver satisfactory results. A V6 petrol engine was also being tested for this car, though it won’t be installed when it launches next year. The engine should easily deliver a power of 140 bhp at 4000 rpm and a torque of 320 Nm at 1700 rpm, just like its sibling.

Performance of the Tata Safari Merlin

With experience of Tata Safari and technology from J-LR under its belt, Tata is expected to ensure that Merlin will be an excellent performer in city as well as highway conditions. The vehicle will feature a 5 speed transmission gear system and improved Powertrain package, which are expected to contribute to the overall performance of the car. It will also make use of the X2 platform, which is known for enabling hydro-forming chassis sections. Nevertheless, if Tata Safari Merlin wants to compete with SUVs like Mahindra W201 and Force Once, it will have to deliver excellent performance on all parameters.

Exterior, Interior & Safety Features of the Tata Safari Merlin

The exteriors of the car sport a refurbished look on the front and rear, though the sides are largely reminiscent of the Safari. The car will have a lower hood as compared to the original Safari, and the curves of the Safari have been replaced with a boxy look, quite similar to the Land Rover's. However, the biggest change in the Tata Safari Merlin will be the placement of the spare wheel; the wheel will now be placed below the boot, instead of the fifth door. In terms of dimensions, it will be 4650 mm in length, 1918 mm wide and 1925 mm in height.

The interiors of this car are supposed to be quite similar to that of Tata Aria, which reflect opulence from the core. Some of the features that customers can expect in this car are power windows, remote-controlled central locking, remote fuel filler and leather seats. Sun roof, steering-based controls, electric door mirrors on both sides, rear wiper and rear defogger should be some of the functional amenities provided in the Tata Safari Merlin.

The car will be equipped with 4 airbags, parking sensors, fog lamps, traction control mechanism, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) for optimum safety.