EXCLUSIVE: Tata Bids Adieu To The Safari Storme With A Rs 50,000 Discount!

• The Safari was first introduced in 1998 and received constant updates throughout its life.
• Currently, Tata Motors only has the EX 4x2 variant of the Safari Storme in stock.
• The carmaker will reveal the Gravitas, the Safari’s replacement, at Auto Expo 2020.

I still remember the day I sat in the Tata Safari for the first time. Perched above all other cars on the road, it was a surreal feeling. I also remember my chauffeur navigating the streets like a boss, with everyone either ceding way for the honk or looking at it with awe. Truth to be told, it made me feel like a hero. Sadly, the next generation of auto buffs may not get to experience that feeling as Tata Motors has decided to pull the plug on the Safari Storme. The manufacturer is flushing away its existing stocks and dealers have been asked to stop accepting bookings for the SUV. Tata is offering a discount of up to Rs 50,000 depending on the city and it only has the EX 4x2 variant in stock, which is priced at Rs 13.35 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Here’s the list of cities where you can avail a discount on the Safari.

City	Discount On Tata Safari
Mumbai	Rs 35,000
Bangalore	Rs 40,000
Chennai	Rs 35,000
Hyderabad	Rs 50,000

The Tata Safari was introduced back in 1998 with a 2.0-litre Peugeot-sourced diesel engine that developed 87PS. The iconic SUV was a massive hit back then as it offered plenty of value for money for its size. Coupled with its go-anywhere capability, this Safari created a fanbase for itself. However, all was not rosy back then and this Safari was known as the ‘White Elephant’ due to its unreliable nature and high ownership costs. 

Fast forward to 2005 and the Safari got its first major update with revamped styling. The interior was all-new and was a big jump from the first-gen’s utilitarian cabin. It also came with a new 3.0-litre DICOR powertrain sourced from Mercedes-Benz that developed 116PS and 300Nm. However, this Safari had a major chink its armour and that was its powertrain, which was a straight pick from the Tata 407 commercial vehicle.  

However, Tata Motors was quick to react and introduced the 2.2-litre DICOR engine in 2006. This engine was developed in conjunction with Groupe PSA and developed 120PS of power. It was more refined and car-like in nature as well. This Safari felt more complete and was a big hit amongst consumers. 

Come 2010 and the Safari got the biggest upgrade in its lifespan. It was now based on the X2 platform that was co-developed with Jaguar Land Rover and elements like the grille and front insignia were inspired from the British carmaker. It was also the first Safari that didn’t come with a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. Despite Tata Motors marketing it as a Land Rover-inspired Safari, it didn’t fly off the shelves due to its expensive price tag that made it lose its core strength, value for money. Yes, the Dicor powertrain was further upgraded to develop 156PS, but that didn’t help either. The Mahindra Scorpio, the Safari’s closest rival, was also more appealing thanks to the premium features it offered back then.  

As time passed by, the market slowly started shifting to monocoque SUVs that were more car-like to drive. Consumers also favoured something more compact like the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta for daily use and ease of driving. This meant that the Safari was slowly starting to lose its steam. Coupled with the upcoming BS6 emission norms and stringent safety norms, it made sense for Tata Motors not to upgrade a product that has paltry sales numbers considering the high costs associated with upgrading vehicles.  

Meanwhile, Tata Motors is all set to reveal the Gravitas at the Auto Expo 2020. Essentially a 7-seater version of the Harrier, the Gravitas will replace the Safari in Tata’s lineup. The Gravitas will come with a BS6-compliant Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre powertrain that’s expected to develop 170-175PS of power. It’s likely to be offered with a 6-speed automatic gearbox sourced from Hyundai. When launched, the Gravitas will rival the upcoming seven-seater version of the MG Hector and the next-gen Mahindra XUV500.