Tata Motors has launched the new Tata Safari Storme, signaling its intentions of making a mark in the SUV segment. The vehicle is a combination of luxury and comfort with raw power and excellent off-roading performance and is likely to give the company a strong boost in the highly-competitive SUV segment.
Speaking at the launch event, Mr. Karl Slym, Managing Director, Tata Motors, observed: “In the Tata Safari Storme we once again demonstrate Tata Motors’ commitment to customer centricity. We were the first to introduce SUVs in India. We now leverage our experience and customer understanding, creating an ideal SUV for today’s motorists who desire in their vehicle a perfect combination of versatility and luxury.”
Mr. Ranjit Yadav, President, Passenger Car Business Unit, Tata Motors, said: “The Tata Safari Storme is going to be the preferred choice among all age groups. The customer today is looking for style, technology and performance. The Safari Storme is the best combination of these attributes. It is the Real SUV.”
A refined product
The new Tata Safari Storme is a refined product delivering a performance of 0-100 km/hr in under 15 seconds. Its 2.2 L VariCOR engine, turbo-charged with the Variable Turbine Technology (VTT), delivers 140 PS Power & 320 NM torque, providing easy driveability, swifter response and lower noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The vehicle also features the electronic shift-on-fly (ESOF) technology, enabling engagement of the 4×4 or 4X2 mode, on the move. Yet it is highly fuel efficient at 14 kmpl in the 4×2 variant and 13.2 kmpl in the 4×4 variant.
In terms of design and comfort also, a lot of inputs have gone into the vehicle. The Storme has an all-new front look grill, side cladding, new projector headlamps and an all-new rear look. The bonnet boasts of a ‘power bulge,’ which gives it a sportier look. Aerodynamically designed spoilers, new pull-type door handles and ergonomically designed side footsteps ensure easy entry and exit. The new chrome-tipped twin exhausts add to the sporty demeanour of the vehicle, and the newly designed roof-rails add to its mighty look. Several safety features have been incorporated with Indian road conditions in mind, especially the off-roading capabilities of the vehicle.
The Storme is initially priced at Rs. 9.95 lakhs, ex-showroom New Delhi. The range is available in four variants, namely, LX, EX, VX (4×2 and 4×4). It comes with a warranty of three years or 100,000 km, whichever is earlier, extendable upto four years or 150,000 km, and will be available in Tata Motors’ 282 dealerships and 33 exclusive UV dealerships across the country.
Karl Slym-led Tata Motors ready to scale new heights
MOTORINDIA had a casual chat with Mr. Karl Slym, Managing Director, Tata Motors, on the sidelines of the Safari Storme launch function. Tata Motors is the market leader in the Indian CV segment with a market share of over 60 per cent. In the passenger car segment, it has grown to become one of the leading players in the domestic market. The new face at the helm of India’s largest automotive company is supremely confident that the company’s long-term strategy would strengthen its market presence in both the commercial vehicle segment and the passenger car business.
Excerpts from the chat:
On short-term plans: “It is important for us to maintain our strong presence in the domestic market and also strengthen our international operations. We want to improve people’s perception of the quality of our products. We need to ensure that the customer knows the quality of Tata products, and we will do this with new products.”
On competition: “We see the emerging competition as an opportunity for growth. We will only start looking at ourselves more diligently and try not to get complacent. It is important for us to check our product portfolio and development, and overall, the intelligence of what strategy will be following in the future.”
On global markets: “We are a global player and have huge aspirations for the international market. When we enter a new market, we need to get the strategy right depending on the business model in the market.”
On long-term vision: “In commercial vehicles, we have our leadership position to maintain. In the passenger vehicle segment, we would like to become a strong No.2 in the market. We have international capabilities, and we have to make sure that we build a strong platform to reach our targets. We have a great brand and we will let people enjoy the brand.”