The upcoming Tata Safari facelift will get a sharper exterior and a more premium interior, and its launch is expected around the festive season
The highly anticipated Tata Safari facelift has been spied once again in India, undergoing road testing on Bangalore roads. The test mule was completely camouflaged, but plenty of design changes are still visible here. The changes to the exterior are quite subtle; let’s start by examining the front end of the upcoming SUV.
The most noticeable change here is the redesigned pair of split headlamps. It seems near-identical to the ones seen on the Tata Harrier EV that was showcased at the Auto Expo earlier this year. However, the test model doesn’t seem to be close to production, as the headlamps mounted on the bumper are make-shift units.
The front grille is also redesigned, inspired by Harrier EV once again. At the sides, we see new alloy wheels, which look very premium. There don’t seem to be any other changes to the side profile. The rear quarter glass, roof-mounted spoilers, and roof rails seem unchanged compared to the outgoing model.
We’re not sure about the changes to the rear section of the SUV. With the camouflage wrap on, there don’t seem to be any. In previous spy pictures, we get a few glances at the vehicle’s interior, and the changes seem minimal. The dashboard, steering wheel, and instrument console were the same as the current, updated Safari.
The centre console, however, has been restyled. The gear selector lever has been replaced with a new, compact unit which looks highly upmarket. The console panel seems new as well. We expect the features and equipment on offer to be the same as the existing one, although there could be a few additions.
Under the hood, we expected the Tata Safari facelift to retain the current model’s powertrain options. The reliable and efficient 2.0-litre diesel engine (168 bhp and 350 Nm) delivers impressive performance and a smooth driving experience. The transmission options will also be the same – a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic. A petrol engine is also expected to be added, but there’s no confirmation yet on when that will happen.
It won’t be long before the camouflage is lifted from the upcoming Tata Safari facelift; its launch is expected to happen around the Diwali festive season. The current model is priced from Rs. 15.65 to Rs. 25.02 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi), and the facelift model will be just a little more expensive.