Re: Scoop! New Tata Safari Coming. But when?
To my information from a friend who is engineer in Tata Motors , Tata Merlin will be launched in September 2011. He does not think that it would be launched in 2012. He has worked both on Aria and Merlin. According to him both cars share the same features as for engine and transmission. He has no idea about the price but it would be significantly less than Aria. The basic differance between the present Safari and Merlin is the ride quality and handaling. Merlin is designed for a stable and comfortable high speed driving. It runs smoothly even at 150kmph. My testing of Toyota fortuner at 150 kmph was not encouraging. The engine was very noisy. My friend says that Merlin is better at this speed ! Only time could prove that. Initially all versions of Merlin would be All wheel drive. The body weight is 2150 kg . ( not lighter as some people think like that ).Compared to fortuner the power is less but you do not feel like that.I am suggested to take test drive of Aria to get an idea !
My friend argued that with a wheelbase of 2850 mm and track of 158 mm and disc brakes for all wheels (235/70 R16 ) you are getting Indian Landcruizer at an affordable price with great reliability !But he fears that the car is very big for city use in India.
Though Merlin has good off road capability , it is designed more for on road use ! It is taller than Aria at 1860 mm.
To my information from a friend who is engineer in Tata Motors , Tata Merlin will be launched in September 2011. He does not think that it would be launched in 2012. He has worked both on Aria and Merlin. According to him both cars share the same features as for engine and transmission. He has no idea about the price but it would be significantly less than Aria. The basic differance between the present Safari and Merlin is the ride quality and handaling. Merlin is designed for a stable and comfortable high speed driving. It runs smoothly even at 150kmph. My testing of Toyota fortuner at 150 kmph was not encouraging. The engine was very noisy. My friend says that Merlin is better at this speed ! Only time could prove that. Initially all versions of Merlin would be All wheel drive. The body weight is 2150 kg . ( not lighter as some people think like that ).Compared to fortuner the power is less but you do not feel like that.I am suggested to take test drive of Aria to get an idea !
My friend argued that with a wheelbase of 2850 mm and track of 158 mm and disc brakes for all wheels (235/70 R16 ) you are getting Indian Landcruizer at an affordable price with great reliability !But he fears that the car is very big for city use in India.
Though Merlin has good off road capability , it is designed more for on road use ! It is taller than Aria at 1860 mm.
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It’s one of the most awaited cars in the market today and the launch date that you have provided us comes as a relief. Can you please also share some pointers about the pricing and variants on offer?
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