Tata Merlin is the newly revamped Tata Safari

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

From the last two years the Tata Safari has been undergoing strenuous tests and the latest buzz we hear about the torture is to make the safari evolve into a new suv re born as the Tata Merlin.  The car will be made from an improvised build of the Aria. The car is expected to be donned with safety mechanisms like ESP (Electronic Stability Program), side airbags and traction control.  Working under the Codename Safari18, the Tata Merlin is been the news for the last two years and there just seems to be no stopping to the hype surrounding this revamped suv. However the good news is that the car is now finally going to see the light of the day and will be launched in a few days as you read this review.

On the nostalgic side however the Tata Safari will still be available in production and will still continue to enthrall off road enthusiasts. The company will run both the models along side. The Tata Merlin will come at a more premium price than the existing Safari. It is expected that Tata Merlin will come in both the drive options of 2WD and 4WD versions and the starting price can be expected to be priced around Rs. 12 lakh.

The Tata Merlin is going to have a completely revamped novel head lamps, tail lights and fog lamps. The bumpers at both the ends and the dual mass fly wheel will also be a never seen before. The car will have the same gear transmission as the Aria which will allow for a smoother drive and gear shifts. The interiors are also going to completely revamped with humungous space inside the cabin. The car will also leave the Safari behind in terms of the ride and handling. Other comfort features include the advanced HVAC system (expected to be a dual-zone climate control system). The safety front will be taken car by the SRS airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP and BA. The car will be available in colors of Mountain Green, Passion Red, Artic White, Pearl White, Light Gold, Cycus Grey, Quartz Black, Artic Silver and Steel Blue. The wheels will be bigger and alloy type for the new Merlin. The ORVMs will have in built indicators. The rear looks of the car clearly seems a rip off the Land Rover Discovery.

The insides of the Tata Merlin will be generous on the cabin space and will be a beta version in terms of the interior quality and the type of materials put in them. The car will have a new central console with entertainment options like the music system and automatic climate control system etc all built in on the steering controls. Then there are the common features like power windows, power steering, remote central locking, defogger, rear wiper/washer, cruise control, GPS navigation system to make yourself totally indulged with the Merlin. However the Tata Merlin in order to keep the cost factor down will have a lot of options inspired from the Tata Aria.