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Discover the Successful Journey of Tata Safari

Tata Motors, a premier automobile manufacturer introduced its first utility vehicle Tata Safari in 1998. The SUV is also tagged as the first SUV to be designed, developed, and manufactured indigenously in India. The launch of the Tata Safari marked the beginning of the SUV segment in the Indian automobile market. Since then the car has come a long way by continuously adding luxury to off-road capability.

bullet First Generation Safari

The first generation Tata Safari was introduced in 1998 and the production for that car continued till about six years. The launch marked a revolution in the SUV segment and was launched at a period when the entire Indian economy was undergoing transformation. The introduction was a complete focus on offering a blend of quality and utility. This not only improved the lifestyle of the youngsters but also pushed the desire of outings and trips during weekends. This eventually helped SUVs gain an enviable space in the Indian auto market and paved way for the SUV trend.

The Safari introduced in 1998 was powered by a 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine that generated about 86 bhp. The engine was associated with a synchromesh forward five-speed gearbox and a 4x4 option. The structure of the car was slightly puffed and aggressive yet elegant and commanding. In the interior the car was packed with the best of features and technologies. The interior of the Safari was furnished with features like a height-adjustable driver's seat, power windows, a climate control system, and a tilt power steering. However, it was regarded to be grossly underpowered, with a heavy body rollover.

bullet Limited Edition of the Tata Safari

With the passage of time, Tata Safari made a dominant position in the Indian car market. This pushed Tata Motors to manufacturer another version of the Safari. This time the car manufacturer wanted to try something new and so the company decided to introduce a limited version. In 2001 the limited version of the Safari was introduced with advanced features and technologies. Tata Motors then was amazed to receive such an overwhelming response from Indian car buyers for the same. It is believed that the company had launched 250 Safaris which were sold in less than two months.

Inspired by the response received from the 2001 limited edition Safari, Tata Motors introduced another limited version of the Safari in 2003. The 2003 version of the Safari was available in both 4x2 and 4x4 drive system. It also included features like Sony play station with 10 audio and video CD changer, two front head-rest integrated LCD monitors, a 12-litre refrigerator-cum-warmer, and 2.5 inch colour LCD based reverse guide system. With all the best of features the 2003 Safari was positioned in the premium luxury SUV segment.

bullet Introduction of Tata Safari DICOR

Tata Safari was running successfully on Indian roads but yet there were certain areas where Tata Motors felt the need for improvement. Tata Safari was extensively modified in August 2005, which included the addition of a new 3-litre engine along with modified interiors and exteriors. With a new look and equipped with an indigenously developed Direct Injection Common Rail (DICOR) engine, the Safari DICOR delivered the best in class torque of 300 Nm at low rpms.

Later on, Tata Motors kept on adding new variants and engines to the DICOR line-up. At present, the new Safari DICOR 2.2 VTT (Variable Turbine Technology) boasts of a new 2.2 VTT DICOR (Direct injection common rail) engine that is robust and powerful that delivers best in class power and fuel-efficiency. The new generation 2.2-litre DICOR engine is operated by a 32-bit electronic control unit and incorporates state-of-the-art technology. While lowering emission and fuel consumption by a few notches, the new engine delivers an incredible peak power of 138 bhp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. The DICOR is an excellent highway cruiser and can accelerate from 0 km/h to 100 km/h in less than 22 seconds. It also offers the best of ride quality and handling for both city and highway driving.

Recently, a new GX variant is also added to the Safari DICOR line-up. The new variant is positioned below the top-end variant Safari VX and is available in both 4x2 and 4x4 versions. The characteristic car features of the new variant are ultrasonic reverse guide system for easy parking, ABS (Anti-lock Breaking System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), and indicators on the outer rearview mirrors. It is the first car in India to come with the Reverse Guide System that uses a camera in the rear bumper and the internal rearview mirror as the screen. Other highlights of the new variant are dual tone exteriors, leather fabric combination seat, indicators on side view mirrors, and DVD/MP3 system with LCD screen.

Tata Safari is one of the best SUVs plying on Indian roads. Since the time the first generation Safari was launched the car is aggressively climbing the success ladder. Though it has never recorded sales worthy of record books, it still has a commanding road presence that makes heads turn its way. It has acquired a status of being the most powerful among Indian cars, and is still a source of pride for its owners.

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