Tata Safari Storme to break the covers on October 17, bookings started prior to launch

Tata Motors, India's largest auto company, has started accepting bookings orders for its upcoming Safari Storme Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) before its official launch. Reportedly, the car maker will pull off the curtains from its much hyped model on October 17, 2012 in the Indian auto industry. It must be noted that the price of yet-to-be launched Safari Storme has not been declared yet and the bookings for the model has been already started. The trend followed by Tata Motors is not new as Nissan went the similar way on its Evalia and thereafter, Maruti Suzuki has also started accepting pre-booking orders of its upcoming Alto 800.

Coming back to the 2012 Safari Storme, the model will be marketed with the existing generation Safari and both of them will be offered alongside. The model was initially introduced in the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, which was organised in January this year. Addressing the vehicle at mega event, the Managing Director (India Operations) of the company, P.M. Telang, quoted, “With the Safari Storme, the iconic Safari becomes a contemporary SUV suited to the desires of today’s SUV lovers.”

The upcoming model has been provided with several refreshments, which will enable it to efficiently square off against the likes of Mahindra XUV500. New generation Safari Storme holds a new front grill, reworked projector head lights and a ‘power bulge’ on the hood. Besides, chrome polished twin exhausts, an all-new tailgate and special spoilers for improved aerodynamics with spare tyre hanging over the tail gate distinguishes the rear portion of the model from any model placed in the same segment.

Considering the model on technical grounds, the Safari Storme 2012 holds a 2.2 litre 16-valve DiCOR engine, which has been mated to a five speed manual transmission system. The maximum power churned out by this engine stands at 130 bhp with a peak torque of 320 Nm. Reportedly, the model will have an option of shifting from two wheel drive to all wheel drive by enabling Electronic Shift-On-The-Fly (ESOF) mode.

The model will also boasts off several safety passengers, which will assure complete safety of its occupants. Advancements like reverse parking camera, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Break-force Distribution (EBD), twin SRS airbags, all wheels disc brakes, rack-and-pinion power assisted steering system, crumple zones and side intrusion beams on all the doors are expected to be packed within the model. Features like collapsible steering column and engine immobiliser will be provided with the model.

With all these advancements, industry experts believe that the new model from the stables of Tata Motors can be a good deal if priced economically as the buyers in Indian auto market are price sensitive.