The Sexy New Tata Safari

With great looks, a powerful new engine, state-of-the art interiors, an entertainment system to match, and a plush-quality ride, the new Tata Safari is nothing like one has been used to. With pricing starting at around Rs 15.5 lakh, it has a lot going for it

- Sameer Kumar

The Swahili word ‘safari’ comes from the Arabic ‘safar,’ which means journey. For Tata Motors, this journey began in 1998, when the company launched its first full-size SUV. With its rugged, all-terrain capability, optional 4WD, and comfortable ride, the original Tata Safari was an iconic Indian SUV that carved a niche for itself among SUV enthusiasts in the country, who bemoaned its demise. Now, all those older fans of the Safari, as well as a whole new younger generation of SUV buyers, have a reason to be happy; Tata Motors is bringing the Safari back to life in an all-new avatar, and the new one looks set to upstage its predecessor in a big way.

The first thing that grabs you about the new Safari is its styling; the original Safari had a unique stepped roofline, and the new one is sort of reminiscent of the original, but in a stylish new way. The new Safari is, of course, based on Tata’s five-seater Harrier, and the two share much of their design DNA, with similar lines at the front, though the Safari gets a completely different treatment at the back, including the stepped roofline that looks pretty funky. Like the Harrier, the 7-seater Safari is based on the Land Rover D8 platform, and its styling definitely takes some cues from the Land Rover Discovery Sport, which itself is a pretty handsome vehicle.

With its 18-inch alloy wheels, flared and muscular wheel arches, slim headlamps (xenon HID projector-type on the top variant), LED daytime running lights, subtle use of brushed metal highlights, and handsome proportions overall, the Safari is quite the looker. It has an undeniable presence on the road, with an understated elegance that most buyers will probably love.