Tata Merlin is the new Tata Safari

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The news of the next evolution of the Tata Safari came around the early part of 2011. However, the right time is just around the corner and the Tata Safari will take a rebirth in the name of the Tata Merlin anytime soon by the end of the 2011. The car had been spotted many times but the company just kept denying the rumors for some strange reason. However, the pictures of the Merlin are now out on the web and the company has had to reveal its new baby.

The Merlin will be launched in a matter of few days as you read this review. The Tata Merlin will not be a completely renovated Tata Safari. It will still have some of the features like the exteriors, similar to the Safari. Almost the entire rear part of the Merlin will have the same design and build similar to the Safari. The window at the C and D pillars is yet again a tribute to the decade old Safari. However the similarities are visible only when you look at the overall profile of the car.

There are some differences that are easily visible to the naked eye as well. The first thing that comes to your mind is the two chromed exhaust at the back and the slat that extends up to the tail gate. The spare tyre will be found under the car making way for some clean rear. The load lip is also at the right height and is neither too high nor short. The entry and exit is made easier with the stepping flap below the bumper that makes for easy ingress for the rear passengers. The spaciousness is increased by the two facing benches after the third row of seats, rather than a single third row. The Tata Merlin will not astonish with its looks but it will surely not disappoint you as well. Those who were expecting a complete overhaul will be in for some disappointment.

The real stuff happens on the inside. The Merlin is expected to be a far superior car than the Safari. It has some Aria underpinnings, which we all know is in a complete class of its own when compared to the Safari’s current setup. The car will be run by a new 2.2-liter DICOR engine generating up to 140 bhp and 320Nm of torque. These figures surely not disappoint and should hold the Merlin in a fairly competent position on the road. The car will be available in both 4×2 and 4×4 drive variants. Apart from the Aria underpinnings the car will also come with the same Traction Control, Airbags and the rest of the icing on the cake is all expected to make it to the Safari as well.

If the success of the XUV500 from the house of Mahindra is anything to by, the new Merlin should also be in for some huge rocketing volumes if it delivers up to the tastes of the audience. The Safari will still run alongside the Merlin as well and will also be cheaper when the Merlin makes its debut. 

We are expecting the car to make it by the end of November 2011. The launch of the Mahindra XUV500 should have already ringed some bells in the Tata Motors for delaying the launch.