Tata Motors has been testing the Safari for a very long time now. The new facelifted SUV has been caught by numerous auto fans several times. Once again a more clear pic of the facelifted Safari has emerged.
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 Safari facelift could make its debut at the 2012 Auto Expo.
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.
Tata Motors will now keep the XUV in mind and will use it as a bench mark. Tata may plonk the same 2.2 Litre DICOR engine producing 140 Bhp-320 Nm of Torque which also does the duty in the Aria.
Tata Safari Merlin dashboard images leaked
Tata Safari Merlin rear undisguised
2011 Tata Safari facelift caught testing
Image Source:ICB
