Shouldn't have Tata Motors launched the Safari Storme already?

02/08/2012 - 20:12 | ,   | Raja Rama Moorthy

Tata Safari Storme Auto Expo 2012Speculations are rife that Tata Motors is preparing to launch the Safari Storme in September. We have earlier carried articles regarding the launch of the Safari Storme, which has not yet seen light of day for reasons unknown.

If speculations are right, Tata Motors should have initiated the preparations for launching it. The company has been regularly featuring the Storme on its Facebook page, without putting a time or date on it.

We first got to look and feel the car at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo and special applications on the Storme platform were on view at the Defense Expo in New Delhi. We have also seen it on the road without any camouflage and got to look at the car through Tata Motors' eyes using the promo footage released in early 2012.

The Safari Storme uses its predecessor's 2.2-liter DICOR engine in an improved condition, producing 140PS@4,000 RPM and 320Nm@1,700-2,700 RPM, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The Safari Storme will directly compete with the Mahindra Scorpio and the Renault Duster. The Mahindra XUV500 is not a competitor as the Storme lacks some of the high-end features such as a 6-speed transmission, Automatic climate control, cruise control, steering-mounted audio controls, etc available on the XUV500.

Unlike the XUV500 which is a monocoque construction, the Safari Storme relies on the ladder frame construction its predecessor rode on. It is based on the Aria's X2 platform and according to our sources, will be sold alongside the current Safari.

Don't you think its time Tata Motors put an end to the storming speculations and launched the Safari Storme.

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