[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by jkdas

Maybe base gets the yuck grill and the other one would be EX/GX/VX.

Hope they dont do an Aria-ish pricing !

The won't. That pricing is for the new platform based SUV, which will compete with Mahindra world SUV.
This "Merlin" is just -panel change. Underpinnings are the same.

That said, if the spare tire moved below the vehicle, where does the fuel tank go? People worried about hitting the spare tire, lemme tell you, hitting the fuel tank is a more serious problem.

[sheelz]

HI Guys

While surfing, came across this page...
Spy Shots: 2011 Tata Safari | Rush Lane

The New safari definitely looks different. Seems that Tata has worked on the interiors. If it ends as a better product than the present Safari, its gonna be my bad luck. I just got myself a 2010 Tata Safari GX.

Keeping my fingers crossed.
Cheers

[Dry Ice]

Hey Sheelz, don't feel bad!

Infact consider yourself lucky to be having that icon in your driveway, when this thing launches, it'll be just another SUV.

Who knows, the previous gen Safaris might begin to appreciate in value after this! LOL!

[sunishsamuel]

not sure how true, but a person known to me working for Tata Motors tells me that around April - May is the confirmed launch date and people should be getting feelers from Tata well before that.

Merlin seems to be sharing a lot of components from Aria, chassis (doubtful) including dual mass flywheel and a better 4x4 system (guess divgi warner ?)

The design might even look ugly compared to the existing one, but might be interesting is what i heard. I am eagerly waiting, if its a dud, then i would not mind even picking up a used Pajero.

The dream of getting a Pajero Like SUV under 12L remains a dream.

[sidindica]

This tacky looking wood lining and three tone interiors is not something I expected from a 12 lakh rupee SUV. Hope that we get a proper silver lining.

[tushky]

What logo is on the Steering wheel? i dont see TATA logo there.

[rajismine]

Note from the Team-BHP Support : Please avoid typing with excessive dots.........like................this.

Thanks


1.) Wheels seem to be the 17" Aria Alloys,

2.) I like the Combination Switch design...for headlight etc...

3.) Meters I am not sure if I like them...they yet again look basic...I like the 2010 Safari meters more

4.) Wood Trim is crap...looks like generic Decolum/Sirmica of a table fitted on

5.) Steering feels nice but does not seem to be Tata logo

[DicKy]

The interiors can't be the same.They have to change it, what going back again to the old days after giving us the Aria and Indigo Manza interiors?
The least expected was a whole body change with the old underpinnings(like the Sumo Grande),but the same old body shell is just terrible.
Wouldn't have minded an american SUV like model instead of Jap SUV design. But this Merlin seems to be stuck midways not knowing which direction to go.
Atleast give it the tailgate mounted spare tyre(here we go again) back.

[KALINGA]

I think its not a production model car.
Its a test car only.

The LOGO on the Steering wheel is not TATA logo.
(May be TATA will launch a new LOGO for passenger car)
Not sure though its a safari or not.

Any expected date for the car launch??
SCOOP-MASTER may through some light....

And for sure its not on ARIA platform. Its just a cosmetic enhancement of old safari.

[lordofgondor]

How about this one:



Image courtesy is the link below:

Spy Shots : 2012 Tata Safari Merlin spied again | Rush Lane

EDIT: Me thinks me likes it!

[DicKy]

The only thing that i can't digest is the rear shape.Sure,it's my favorite part in the present car,but doesn't gel with the new front end.
Hmm... 3.0L version too,
but the v6 petrol maybe for the export market only.

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by DicKy

The only thing that i can't digest is the rear shape.Sure,it's my favorite part in the present car,but doesn't gel with the new front end.
Hmm... 3.0L version too,
but the v6 petrol maybe for the export market only.

Yeah, wish they had a pic of the (new) back end too. I guess the 3 l version could be the one before 2.2 l VTT was introduced, or are they making a 3 l VTT one! Maybe more torque on the cards.

But from the pics, it doesn't seems to be based on X2 platform. *sigh*

[2500cc]

The rear looks much bigger than the current Safari. Hope this at least will seat 7 in comfort unlike Aria.

[ACM]

Originally Posted by 2500cc

The rear looks much bigger than the current Safari. Hope this at least will seat 7 in comfort unlike Aria.

The Aria does seat 7 in much more comfort than the current Safari. (Can definately confirm this as a current owner of both.)

Also the Aria has more overall space compared to the Safari on the inside so lets not expect better 7 seater comfort, that is best left to MUV' like the Innova, Xylo and the Sumo Grande. If you were to note, the closer one gets to being a SUV the poorer the 7 seater comfort, be it the Fortuner vs the Innova or the Xylo vs the Scorpio or the Sumo Grande vs the Aria and Safari.

That said if two of the 7 travellers are within 5'5" then the Aria does excel in transporting them very comfortably and in style.

Maybe am baised as a current owner.

[2500cc]

@ACM: I agree that Aria seats +2 (less than 5.5") comfortably. But the comfort am talking here about is what the Xylo offers for the last benchers. No doubt Aria is a great vehicle, but would have made more sense if it had to offer Xylo like comfort for the last benchers.

Originally Posted by ACM

The Aria does seat 7 in much more comfort than the current Safari. (Can definately confirm this as a current owner of both.)

Also the Aria has more overall space compared to the Safari on the inside so lets not expect better 7 seater comfort, that is best left to MUV' like the Innova, Xylo and the Sumo Grande. If you were to note, the closer one gets to being a SUV the poorer the 7 seater comfort, be it the Fortuner vs the Innova or the Xylo vs the Scorpio or the Sumo Grande vs the Aria and Safari.

That said if two of the 7 travellers are within 5'5" then the Aria does excel in transporting them very comfortably and in style.

Maybe am baised as a current owner.