Tata Safari VX 2.2 VTT 4x4
Maxabout Review
All Time Favourite
Saturday, February 28, 2009
When the Tata Safari initially hit the market it was taken as a symbolic representation of adventure and freedom. With the passage of time however many foreign manufacturers released their own versions of the utility vehicle into the Indian market with the result that the Tata Safari fell out of fashion. To match up to the raised standards set by the foreign companies Tata reintroduced an enhanced version of the Safari known as the Safari DiCOR (Direct Injection CommonRail Diesel).
Safari Dicor 2.2 VTT is a complete blend of great power and style. It has been stuffed with excellent interior and exterior features. Now Tata has added a new safari variant in its stable - Safari GX. The current Safari DICOR range comprises three variants: LX, EX and VX. The GX, with several high end comfort and safety features, has been positioned below VX, the top end variant.
Safari GX is packed with following comfort and safety features:
- Dual tone exteriors in selected shades.
- Leather cum fabric upholstery.
- Reverse guide system with camera in rear bumper.
- ABS with EBD.
- Turn indicators on outer rear view mirrors.
- Alloy wheels.
- Available in both 4×2 and 4×4 versions.
- Power Windows.
- Power Steering.
- Remote Central Locking.
- Tubeless Tyres.
- Rear Wiper with Washer.
- Rear Defogger.
- Tiltable & Collapsible Steering Column.
The top model VX comes with all of the above features plus dual SRS airbags, full leather interiors, MP3/DVD Player with Dual LCD Screens. The Safari is generally well kitted out for the size and the price. Safari was the first vehicle in India to offer the Reverse Guide System using a camera in the rear bumper and the Internal Rearview Mirror as the Screen.
DiCOR actually stands for Direct Injection Common Rail. In contrast to the agricultural origins of this engine, an ultramodern Delphi Multitec 1600 bar fully electronic Common Rail Direct Injection System does the job of supplying fuel.
This is able to provide the consumer best all round performance in acceleration, noise reduction and overall control patented adaptive learning technology. The DiCOR VTT engine develops maximum power od 140 Bhp at 4000 rpm and maximum torque of 320 Nm at 1700 rpm.
The gearbox now has been totally revamped and as the Tata engineers explained is a grounds up effort. The Safari uses double-cone synchro rings in the gearbox, hence shifting is much easier; Tata could now work on reducing the travel perhaps. The clutch though as good, its quite heavy and is unable to keep the vibrations of the motor at bay. It continues its high stance with a rather long bonnet; it exudes ruggedness; even in the face of its rather more timid looking clear lens headlamps and some extra chrome that has gone into its anti-ageing process.
Once you get inside, you're treated to well-designed interiors with comfortable seats and quite a luxurious cabin. The Dash is in beige with a polished aluminum console in the center of the dash It comes with a nice clock and buttons for the defogger, rear wash-wipe and so on. The safari uses independent double wishbone with torsion bar up front and coil spring suspension with 5 link at the rear, which work well; even when the car is not full of people. Shod with 235/70 R16 radials, grip is adequate on the tarmac, but the tires are definitely not meant for any kind of serious off-road adventures.
The ride also has a bit of a hard edge due to the now reduced profile. The chassis continues to be the tried and tested steel body on ladder frame type, which is quite stiff but the safari has a very heavy snout, which can prove quite a handful around corners. The safari comes with shift on the fly feature which means that you can shift between 2WD and 4WD without any hitch, no need to change gears and reduce speed.
Safari GX has been launched at a price of Rs. 9.95 lakhs for the 4×2 version and 10.87 lakhs for the 4×4 version. The price of the Safari DiCOR range starts at Rs.7.67 lakhs. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.
The safari is an excellent SUV, it always had image and road prescence going for it, it has a spacious cabin, which can comfortably seat 7 and loads of luggage. You can keep cruising all day long without much feeling too tired, build quality is also steadily improving, but still suffers from a few rough edges. If one is looking for a comfortable SUV that is able to do the highway and town circuit quite well
It is available in following shades:
- Mountain Green
- Passion Red
- Artic White
- Pearl White
- Light Gold
- Cycus Grey
- Quartz Black
- Artic Silver
- Steel Blue