2021 Tata Safari Started Life As This Sketch, Pratap Bose Reveals

Tata Safari is one of the most famous names around the Indian audience. The indigenous SUV was launched in the country for the first time in the year 1998, and it turned out to be an affordable alternative to expensive Mitsubishi Montero and Toyota Land Cruiser. Tata Motors sold the Safari in the Indian market for almost 20 years before it was discontinued as it failed to comply with new emission and safety norms. Acknowledging the cult that Safari nameplate enjoys in the Indian market, Tata Motors has decided to launch the 7-seater Harrier as Tata Safari. Slated to go on sale by January 26, here’s the very first sketch of the Tata Safari's design from its development days.

This image of the sketch was shared on a social media platform by Pratap Bose, Vice President, Global Designs, Tata Motors, with a caption, “Super cool sketch from my colleague @cosimoamadei that went on to become the New Safari! Super hard work by everyone involved to then take it from paper to steel! Bravissimi!”

The upcoming Tata Safari was showcased to the masses at the 2020 Auto Expo with Gravitas badges. According to the carmaker, it received a warm response from the audience. Being underpinned by the same OMEGA Arc platform as the Harrier, the Safari is expected to come with a lot of features on the inside. The list will include a full-size panoramic sunroof, 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, power-adjustable driver seat, cruise control, automatic climate control, 7-inch TFT LCD for the instrument cluster and more. Also, it is expected to come with the same set of safety features as the Harrier.

Powering the 2021 Tata Safari will be an FCA-sourced 2.0L Kryotec oil burner that also does duties on the Harrier. The 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine is capable of dishing out a peak power output of 170 PS and max torque of 350 Nm. The gearbox options will include a 6-speed MT and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Sadly, Tata Motors will not offer the Safari with an AWD system. Although, it might be making its way to the Safari at a later stage.