Tata Motors is all set to launch the Tata Safari Merlin, a refreshed version of the Safari. Tata has confirmed that the Merlin will be hitting the Indian roads soon. However the company has refused to disclose any specific launch dates and details of the upgrades on the car.
The Merlin gets new interiors and upgrades on the exterior too. The fresh face gives it a bolder look, and certain designing cues from the Land Rover SUV are also seen on the facelift. The Merlin will be getting a few mechanical updates too, most of them being from the Aria itself.
The Merlin will based on the Aria X2 platform as per some of our sources. So we can definitely expect more refinement and a better drive. Safety features like 6 airbags, ESP, ABS, EBD and hopefully a new feature the Hill decent control could make it in the new Safari.
Tata has chosen the four spoke steering design which gives a chunky feel. We feel it’s to house the airbag. The SUV also gets Wooden dash inserts and round dials give the dashboard a elegant look. More features include Dual exhausts like the Aria, A chrome plate at the rear which gives it a rich look and a set of new Alloy wheels. What’s most important now is that the Safari should be more value for money.
Sadly the engine remains unchanged with only a few tweaks to tune it to the current emission norms. It is certain that Tata will price the Merlin aggressively, all thanks to Mahindra with the XUV 500 which has acquired the segment completely just after a few weeks of its launch.
Tata Safari Merlin dashboard images leaked