Tata Safari Storme VX 4x4 BS IV - Performance Review

Under the hood of the Safari Storme is an evolved version of the 2.2-litre DICOR engine. This one is called 'VARiCOR' though and borrows all the upgraded goodies from the Aria. It puts out 142PS of power and 320Nm of torque and is mated to a five-speed transmission and an improved 4x4 system. Tata is claiming a fuel economy of over 14 kmpl for the Safari Storme – but expect a real world fuel economy for 9-11 kmpl, which is still quite good for a full-blown SUV.

The Safari Storme is still based on a ladder-frame design but the new structure is 2.5 times more rigid than the current model. The difference is evident in the way the SUV maintains in composure around bends. The body-roll isn’t as pronounced as the XUV500 and doesn’t feel as fidgety either. However, the highest speed we could reach during our test was 120 kmph and the stability was never a concern. Can’t say the same about the XUV500 though.

The suspension setup, the 4x4 drivetrain and the improved engine work together to give the Safari Strome better off-roading abilities as well. We did try out the Storme on a purpose built off-road track and the Safari did impress. Frankly, I have only indulged in such off-road activities with SUVs that cost at least thrice the price. But the fact remains, that very few people will buy the Safari Storme for hardcore off-road activities.

In the real world then, the Safari Storme impresses with good driving dynamics that we spoke of and the VARiCOR engine that feels lively and eager – even more than the similarly engine-d Aria. The engine feels rev happy and shoots off astonishingly well from standstill. There is hardly any noticeable turbo-lag and the mid-range is very strong. As we said, 120 kmph is the max speed we managed, but even in the limited stint the top end of the rev-range felt a tad sluggish. 

But if I were to sum it up, the Safari Storme’s dynamics and engine performance is a big improvement over the current Safari and I can safely say that it is much better than the competition too. The SUV doesn’t feel sluggish like an elephant and doesn’t rock like a boat and is therefore bound to impress people who are looking for a solid purpose-built  SUV. 

Conclusion 

Tata has taken its own sweet time to play with its favorite SUV and make into a better vehicle overall. In fact, they have so much faith in the new product that the Storme comes with a three-year warranty. The exterior design though doesn’t look remarkably different than the Safari that we have seen for over 15 years. But that’s a point Tata is trying to make.

Now Tata is trying to filter down the Land Rover school of thought into its cult SUV. What seems like a mild redesign is in fact a very evolved product - but just the way the Range Rover or the Discovery stuck to their basic designs and shapes all these years, the Safari aims to replicate the philosophy with the new Storme - and that is most likely going to work for Tata despite the relatively high price tag.