Tata Harrier, Safari Petrol Launching Tomorrow: Here’s What To Expect

Over the past few months, Tata Motors has been steadily signaling its intent to diversify its powertrain offerings. Recently the company launched the Sierra with petrol and diesel powertrain options and with its electric and AWD version in pipelines the company is expanding its presence in the mid-size SUV market. The addition of petrol options for the Harrier and Safari is another step toward broadening appeal in a segment that is witnessing renewed interest in turbo-petrol engines. With this launch the Safari will be available with petrol and diesel powertrains and the Harrier will be available with petrol, diesel and electric powertrains.

The Harrier and Safari petrol variants are expected to be introduced with the Tata Motors new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. This four-pot turbo motor is expected to produce about 157.81 bhp and 255 Nm of torque. It is also expected to be offered with multiple transmission choices, including the 6-speed MT, a 6-speed AT and even the 7-speed DCT. If these specifications hold true at launch, this powertrain will position the Harrier and Safari directly against other popular turbo-petrol SUVs in the segment.

At present the diesel iterations of the Harrier and Safari have a starting ex-showroom price of Rs 13.99 lakh and Rs 14.49 lakh (ex-showroom). It is being anticipated that the new petrol powered variants of these SUVs will undercut the prices of its diesel versions. The upcoming Harrier petrol range is likely to start from Rs 12.49 lakh and on the other hand the Safari petrol range is expected to begin from Rs 12.99 lakh (both prices are ex-showroom). If Tata prices petrol versions of both these SUVs aggressively then it can help the company tap into buyers who prefer petrol power but previously found themselves outside the diesel-centric price band.

Underpinned by JLR derived D8 OmegaArc architecture, both Harrier and Safari should continue to offer the same in cabin experience and equipment layout seen in the diesel versions. The petrol-powered Harrier and Safari are expected to remain unchanged in terms of features and safety equipment. On the safety front the petrol version of both these SUVs are likely to get - 7 airbags, Level 2 ADAS and other active and passive safety tech and more.

Following their launch, the petrol version of Tata Harrier and Safari will compete in the Indian market with the likes of Mahindra Scorpio-N, XUV700, MG Hector, MG Hector Plus, Hyundai Alcazar and other mid-size petrol SUVs in the segment.