Re: Scoop: Updated Tata Safari Storme in the offing? EDIT: Now launched My Storme TD.
I got a call from Wasan Motors and they got the Storme EX for TD. I asked, why not the top end Vx, since i had mentioned i was interested in a 4x4. Apparently, this is the only TD vehicle available. It was not registered and had 4500 kms on the odo.
Total TD distance was only approx 15 kms. I wonder why they cant offer a proper long test drive for an already existing Safari owner.
Looks - Looks are subjective, however, this Storme looks better than the earlier one due to the redesigned grill. I love the raise bonnet panel. Adds to the muscular look and feel. Since it was raining i could not have a good look at the interiors at standstill with all doors open. However, the interiors feel very roomy compared to my Dicor. The black interior finish is very good. Plastic quality is very good. Seems built to last.
They have replaced the clock with a black cover with Safari written on it. Why didn't they make the lettering in chrome. right now it looks like a 10 rs plastic cover.
The silver finish on the dashboard is quite good and not in your face.
Steering has a nice chunky feel. The doorside pockets are large and can easily take a 1 liter water bottle.
The front seat seems to have lost some under thigh support compared to the Dicor. It feels shorter and less supportive. The backrest however feels vastly improved.
Not sure why they still cant provide telescopic adjustment for the steering even in the top variant Safari Vx.
The glovebox size has increased and looks like a neat flush unit integrated into the dashboard.
I did not check the back seat and beyond due to rains.
Plastic quality has seen leaps of improvement. Seems built to last.
No comments on the integrated music system since i turned it off to check NVH levels.
One grouse, for the driver, the left leg constantly touches the side panel of the entertainment console around the sides of the knee while driving. This panel could have been a softer cushioned panel.
But yes, this is still the best driver and passenger seat to be in compared to any suv in the market today. The commanding view and massive glasshouse has a charm and feel of its own.
Engine - After driving a Safari Dicor 2.2 for 7 years, I have begun to HATE in cabin noise( tire noise, wind noise, road noise, engine noise). The Dicor has a lot of wind noise. I could not drive the Storme long enough to check the wind noise. However, there is substantially more engine noise inside the cabin compared to my 7 yr old Safari that was highlighted even by my technically incompetent wife who is now actively involved in all TDs and whose non technical inputs i appreciate.
The Varicor engine is quite a revelation compared to the 2.2 Dicor. Its got grunt and i can only imagine how the 4L will be in this state of tune. Through the gears, the engine still does seem to have some(very little) lag at low rpm, but nothing to write home about at all. The in gear acceleration(pickup) from 30kph in 3rd gear is quite good. That kick at 2200 rpm due to turbo spooling is gone, but the acceleration is very linear and strong.
The gear lever still feels truck like with that loooong throw. Why Tata, cant your engineers find a solution to this in so many years? Gearshift is still rubbery and this rubbery feel becomes even more rubbery after 3 years of use. This is not a reliability issue, but it just feels like s***. Why cant they provide a short slick gearshift?
The clutch is super light, like my Wagon R.
Ride, handling & braking - The brakes are very good. Braking hard to slow down from 110kph to 50 in heavy rain is very confidence inspiring. I replicated this braking from 110 to 50kph even over potholes on the western express highway and i must say, the vehicle holds its poise and tracks in a straight line. Steering while braking over these potholes and bumps too, does not rattle the vehicle and the driver can very easily maintain control. Having said that, there is one serious problem however - drive through potholes fast and the effect is felt in your palms through the steering. This is very un-nerving. If you have to drive through 50 km bad patch you will feel every big pothole or hump in your palm.
The suspension is by far the best in the business beating even the Toyota Fortuner, hands down. The occupants stay composed even when you suddenly hit a rough patch. Body roll seems controlled, though i didnt get enough opportunity to fully check this.
Turning radius is tight and excellent too. I took the same turn at the same place in almost the same distance as the Scorpio.
The TD Storme had done 4500 kms. In my unbiased opinion, i can say the following -
The Scorpio S10 i had driven earlier, loses the comparison on all counts and should not even figure in the buyers list if one is looking for a good, comfortable, spacious and capable suv. Why - the Storme beats the Scorpio hands down on all parameters.
You could compare the Storme to the xuv in some ways, but the Xuv is not a proper ladder on frame suv and is best driven on the road than off it. However, the xuv does offer a lot of enticing kit and electronic gizmos( im not sure how much of that kit on offer is actually niggle free).
Whatever kit the Storme has on offer is purely functional stuff. I steer clear of electronic wizardry on any offering by any Indian manufacturer purely due to reliability concerns. On that note, i will write off the Xuv, because once out of warranty, the pain on your wallet is unbearable. A very dear friend who owns a 2.5yr old, W8 Xuv is crying foul about Mahindra and is trying to get rid of it due to reliability issues regarding all the electronics.The Storme is nothing more than a superb 5 seater suv that can take you places without much thought. Forget about that afterthought bench at the back. There are no electronic extras.
This is the first time ive driven a Storme since its launch. It a much much improved Tata product that makes a very tempting case for me to put my money on. If anyone is looking for a fussfree mile muncher, go and buy it without much thought.
Regarding reliability - from my personal experience Tata honors warranty much better than Mahindra. And most of the niggles, if any, show up in the 1st 2 years. After that, its usually a dream run. My Safari is due for replacement, however, im waiting for the AT to be launched. AT 4wd is what i want. I will put my money on the table after that.
Last edited by jaysmokesleaves : 14th June 2015 at 17:10.
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