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Tata Safari
The 2006 Tata Safari DiCOR
Manufacturer Tata Motors
Parent company Tata Sons
Also called Tata Dicor
Production 1998–present
Class SUV
Body style(s) 5-door SUV
Engine(s) 2.0L turbodiesel I4
2.2L turbodiesel I4
3.0L turbodiesel I4
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
Wheelbase 2,650 mm (104.3 in)
Length 4,650 mm (183.1 in)
Width 1,918 mm (75.5 in)
Height 1,925 mm (75.8 in)
Kerb weight 1,920 kg (4,233 lb)
Fuel capacity 65 L (14 imp gal/17 US gal)
Related Tata Sumo

The Tata Safari is an SUV produced by Tata Motors of India. It is the first SUV to be designed, developed and manufactured "entirely" in India.[1]

Body and trim options[]

The SUV was first released in 1998 with a 2.0 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[MPFi] 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 RAV4, Land Rover Freelander and Honda CR-V.

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[citation needed].

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 (without a camera which along with the Screen in the Internal Rearview Mirror is only available in the VX variant). Another new feature is indicators on the Outer Rear View Mirrors.

Tata Safari in Cyprus

Tata Safari seen on a road in Cyprus

First generation[]

Launched in 1998 in Turbo Diesel form, the Safari had 87 PS (64 kW) power. It came with a synchromesh forward five-speed gearbox, with a 4X4 option. However, it was regarded to be grossly underpowered, and had a lot of body roll.

The new Tata Safari DiCOR (DiCOR standing for "Direct Injection Common Rail engine") is powered by a 3000 cc inline-four cylinder engine that develops 116 PS (85 kW) at 3000 rpm and 300 N·m (221 ft·lbf) of torque between 1600 and 2000 rpm. The engine is taken from the Tata 407, a truck manufactured by Tata Motors. The new engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox, with a new, sporty gear lever.

2007 revision[]

Tata displayed the Euro 4 compliant 2.2-litre DiCOR engine with 140 PS (103 kW) and 320 N·m (236 ft·lbf) of torque at the 2006 Bologna Motor Show.[2] It was launched on October 5, 2007. It has some improved interior features like two-tone upholstery and leather seats. The high end version of the Safari comes with full safety features like airbags and ABS with EBD. Additional features like rear AC vents, reversing camera, DVD player with LCD screens in the front seats headrests and dimming lights too are also available as an option. Four-wheel drive options are available on EX, GX and VX variants which, uses a Borg Warner shift on the fly transfer case.

India's leading automotive portal CarWale recently did a series of off-road trails on a Tata Safari DiCOR 2.2 4×4. The only modifications done to the Safari were removal of running boards and addition 15 inch rims shod with 235/75 R 15 Radial tyres. The off-road performance of the Safari was highly praised by them.[3]

Driving impressions[]

The main issue with the Safari is that it is quite a heavy vehicle; it tilts the scales at 2,115 kg (4,660 lb) (kerb); adding an extra 110 kg (240 lb) for the 4WD variant.[4] The consequence of that is though the engine specifications sound great on paper — 320 N·m (240 lb·ft) of torque at 1600 rpm — it is not a great leap in terms of outright performance.[5] With the DiCOR engine, the 4WD Safari is substantially quicker than the Scorpio or Innova also with a lighter engine under the hood it feels more agile.[citation needed]

The car has been described as slow, unrefined and "pedestrian" when used on the roads, although its off-road performance has been given praise by some reviewers.[6] European reviews have also drawn attention to the standard of the interior and the original engine being underpowered, sluggish, noisy and idling poorly when cold.[7] With respect to its power and handling, British television program "Fifth Gear" referred to the Safari as having "about as much finesse as a three-legged giraffe".[8]

Specifications[]

Specifications of the Tata Safari 2.2 DiCOR

2009 tata safari vx 4x4

A 2009 Safari 2.2 DiCOR VX 4x4

Top speed 152 km/h (95 mph)

(160 km/h as per user manual)

0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 16.2 s
Engine Type 2.2 L vtt DiCOR
Displacement 2179 cc
Power 140 PS (100 kW/140 hp) @ 4000 rpm
Torque 320 N·m (240 lb·ft) @1700 rpm
Valve Mechanism DOHC
Cylinder Configuration Inline 4
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel System CRDI
Minimum Turning Radius 6 metres
Wheelsize 6.5Jx16
Tyres 235/70 R 16, 105 S
Ground Clearance 205 mm / 8.07 inches

Second generation[]

An entire new Safari is due to be launched in 2011. The 2011 Tata Safari will be based on its sibling Aria’s "X2" platform[9] which has a stronger hydro-formed chassis sections. The new model will also have lots of space and will be loaded with features such ABS, Airbags, Climate Control etc.As far as engine is concerned, speculation are that Tata will be bringing its proven 2.2L VTT DiCOR to this model as well.

It will have an upgraded G76-Mark II gearbox.[1]

The car is expected to be lighter than the outgoing model to make it more fuel efficient. With European markets in mind, the car has been developed to comply by the EuroNCAP safety norms.

References[]

  1. "Tata Safari". India Car.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
  2. "Bologna Motor Show". Autocar India. Archived from the original on 2007-10-16. Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
  3. "Tata Safari - Offroading". Carwale. Retrieved on 2010-11-16.
  4. "Tata Safari specification". Tata Motors. Retrieved on 2009-04-24.
  5. "Tata-Safari DICOR road test". Autocar India. Archived from the original on 2007-10-15. Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
  6. "Tata Safari 4x4". What Car?. Retrieved on 2009-04-27.[dead link]
  7. "Tata Safari (2000) Review". Channel 4. Retrieved on 2009-04-27.[dead link]
  8. "Tata Safari". Fifth Gear. Retrieved on 2009-04-27.
  9. Next generation of Tata Safari will be launched in 2011

External links[]

Smallwikipedialogo This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Tata Safari. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons by Attribution License and/or GNU Free Documentation License. Please check page history for when the original article was copied to Wikia


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