For the past two years, the native company had the team burn the midnight oil for the conception and development of the new Safari under the code name ‘Safari 18’. Built on the 4×2 Aria platform, the new model is expected to be introduced in late 2011, hailing the Tata Merlin name. The Merlin is speculated to be priced at 10 lakhs to challenge Mahindra’s new XUV 500 launch priced at 10.88 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). They say the Tata Merlin isn’t here to replace the old Safari, but would instead make a presence with a smarter personality and revamped specs that offer a choice between the Safari and Aria.
According to the spy images, the Tata Merlin promises to be a very smooth and elegant SUV. The face gets a completely revamped look with the hood lower than before and the contours replaced with a bold boxy look. New body color front and rear bumpers with stylish fog lights, sharp looking L-shaped projector headlamps, body color door handles are the additional new features that make the Tata Merlin a completely refreshed car. 5-spoke alloy wheels complete the aggressive personality with the fifth wheel hidden under the trunk revealing a neat tailgate like the Aria. Borrowing styling cues from the Land Rover, the carefully crafted rear end houses new square taillights.
Carrying Tata’s legacy of luxury and style, the cabin is expected to be on par with the Aria. We can expect the car to boast all the opulent features like exotic-looking leather upholstery, power windows, remote fuel filler, etc. Being a spacious seven-seater, the car promises to make your drive comfortable with functional amenities like steering wheel-mounted controls, adjustable driver’s seat, in-dash music system, upgraded air conditioning with power controls with two vents, etc. Completely redesigned power exterior mirrors, panoramic sunroofs, rear wiper and defroster are a few other features that make the SUV the ultimate in comfort and opulence.
The car will come with well-appointed safety features such as Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), traction control mechanism, parking sensors, 4 airbags, Electronic Stability Program ( ESP), fog lights to provide the safety quotient. along with the luxuries.
Sources suggest the company tested the model with two engine options, then settled on the 2.2-liter DiCOR for the current model of the Aria. The diesel engine would deliver a maximum power of 140 hp at 4,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 320 Nm at 1,700 rpm. The Aria boasts the same engine as the Safari but with tuning and refinement in vibration. The Tata Merlin, although rated at 140bhp, is expected to be very responsive to control. Combined with a five-speed manual gearbox and low-friction bearings, the car is expected to be a true power player. Speculation suggests that the Tata Merlin will deliver a mileage of 11 kmpl in the city and around 15 kmpl on the highway.
Better equipped than the previous model, the car is also expected to command a higher price tag of 10-12 lakhs.