Tata Merlin is the next in line SUV this diwali and is one
of the most awaited launches from the Tata Motors. The Merlin will not just be
another factory output SUV. In fact the car can just not be considered as some
re branding exercise for the Safari. The car is expected to come with a 2.2
litre DICOR engine with a twin accumulation flywheel and off course better
technology in terms of the gear transmission. On the power front, the car has
improved a great deal with a power of 140bhp at 4000rpm and gives a maximum
torque of 320 nm at 1700 rpm. The insides of the car are also equally improved
with strong internal design and are also expected to draw a lot inspiration
from the Tata Aria. However all this improvements come at a cost and only this
could be the only cause of concern.
The 4x2 model of the Tata Aria is also expected to see the
light of the day by the next half of 2012. The car is expected to be sold off
with a price mark of Rs. 13 lakh to Rs. 14 lakh approximately. The main areas
of contention for the Tata Motors will be the smart option to position the
Safari Merlin in a low cost category between Rs. 9 lakh to Rs. 11 lakh. This
would also serve as an excellent competition for Mahindra XUV500 and the Tata
Aria 4x2 variant. The only way to not make its own products dash against each
other would be to market them differently in terms of driver options and cost
value distinction.
However experts believe the smart option for the Merlin
would be to face off with the Aria 4x2 model, Toyota Innova, Mahindra Scorpio
and the Tata Aria 4x4 version. Rumors are also speculating that Mahindra too is
very soon sending yet another contender in the name of a new Mahindra World SUV
(soon to disclose). This would also mean the company would suffer a bit with
Aria 4x2 version which might struggle in the market as compared to the Aria 4x4
version. So if Tata wants to regain its glory in the SUV market, they will have
to come up with a master plan that ensures that all the three versions work out
well. Surely who would have thought that the SUV market in India would see such
a demand when the first SUV liberated in the year 1998 with a 2.0 litre Turbo
Diesel engine.
The Tata Merlin looks are adorned by the projector
headlamps, bigger front fascia and advanced grill, RVM studded with indicators,
retractable footrest for the rear door, dual fatigues, and the chrome band with
‘Tata’ signature on the drive door. The all new tail lamps are also a never
seen before and lots of other additional features studded into this SUV make it
a hot buy. Now the time has come for the car to practically serve its purpose
and let us hope that this new Tata Safari Merlin offers a wonderful driving
experience and becomes value for money to its consumers.
