The Indian car aficionados have set the media abuzz with immense comparisons between the yet-to-be launched product from the stables of Tata Motors, the Safari Storme Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and the French auto maker, Renault's compact SUV Duster. Tata Motors unveiled the Safari Storme at the Auto Expo held in New Delhi in January 2012. The launch of Renault Duster in the Indian auto market, proved decisive for the French auto giant as it shook the foundations of the country's leading Utility Vehicle (UV) makers like Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) and Tata Motors, when it outnumbered the sales of Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari in the Indian SUV market. Reportedly, Renault recorded 6,000 bookings of Duster within the first week of its launch and so far the popular compact SUV has been booked 18,000 times in the country.
At a first glance, the yet-to-be launched Safari Storme seems like a reworked version of the current generation Tata Safari and will come trimmed with some inspiring interior and exterior attributes. Tata Motors has installed in its upcoming SUV, a whole array of interesting features like the new huge honeycomb grille and a macho power bulge on the bonnet. Additionally, the Safari Storme SUV also flaunts brand new projector headlamps, exquisite chrome-plated twin exhaust vents along with an improvised new tailgate. The Renault Duster on the other hand, looks futuristic and boasts of a more macho design than Safari Storme. The major contributor towards propelling the sales of the compact SUV Duster in India was its unique design concept, similar to the likes of Audi Q3 and X1. However, comparing Duster to X1 And Q3 is a gross overstatement and the French company only derived certain design and styling cues from the German automotive giants, and not any engine or interior related specifications.
It is expected that Tata Motors will incorporate the chassis and suspension of its Aria crossover in the Safari Storme that will entail the upcoming SUV to boast of smooth, hassle free and relaxed driving experience. Further, the Safari Storme is anticipated to hold a 2.2-litre DiCOR diesel engine under its hood, that will be similar to the one installed in Aria. The power plant churns out a peak power output of 140 bhp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm, which will be assimilated with a five-speed manual transmission system, thereby giving the Tata Safari Storme an improved performance delivery from under its hood. The Renault Duster on the other hands lags behind in under the hood configuration and features a measly 1.5 litre engine conforming to its compact namesake. However, Renault Duster does gives the Indian car enthusiasts with an option of petrol variant as well, but considering the current market trend, the scenario of petrol Duster beating diesel Safari Storme seems highly unlikely.
The real comparison between Duster and Safari Storme could be adjudged to their pricing. The Duster is available in the Indian market around Rs. 7 lacs to Rs. 11 lacs while the yet-to-be launched Safari Storme is expected to cost some Rs. 10 lacs to Rs. 12 lacs. Thus, Indian buyers do have an option of either going for general SUVs or towards the current hot compact SUVs. Only time will tell about how the Duster and Safari Storme fares against each other and will the Tata product prove influential in steering the Indian public away from Renault stores. The upcoming Tata Safari Storme will be pitched in a direct face off against the likes of Mahindra XUV500, Mahindra Scorpio, Renault Duster and Chevrolet Tavera, among others.
