Tata Motors has effectively entered every SUV segment, from the Punch to the Nexon, Harrier, Safari, and now the Curvv. Despite being a leading SUV manufacturer, Tata has not offered a petrol engine in its flagship models, the Harrier and the Safari. Both SUVs have experienced modest sales, with less than 2000 units sold each, a figure significantly lower than their direct competitor, the Mahindra XUV700, which sold 9007 units in August 2024. A camouflaged Tata Safari was recently spotted during testing, which could be the petrol variant slated for a 2025 debut.
Tata Safari petrol: What to expect?
Last year, the Safari underwent a comprehensive update including design and features. The petrol variant is expected to retain most of these upgrades with minor modifications. However, the choice of petrol powertrain remains a point of interest. At the 2023 Auto Expo, Tata Motors showcased two new turbo petrol engines — the 1.2-litre TGDi and the 1.5-litre TGDi, both featuring an aluminium structure for reduced weight and increased rigidity.
The 1.2-litre engine, which debuted in the Curvv, offers 123 bhp at 5000 rpm and 170 Nm of torque between 1700 – 3500 rpm, which may be slightly underpowered for full-sized SUVs like the Safari and Harrier. The 1.5-litre TGDi is anticipated to make its global debut next year, delivering 168 bhp at 5000 rpm and 280 Nm of torque between 2000 – 3500 rpm, available with both manual and automatic transmissions.
In comparison to its main competitor, the XUV700, which is equipped with a 2-litre turbo petrol engine producing 197 bhp and 380 Nm of torque, the Safari’s power figures may seem lower, but Tata Motors might enhance the output further.
We recently spoke with Mohan Savarkar, the Chief Product Officer and Vice President of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, who verified that the development of the petrol version of the Safari “is very much on the cards and upcoming”, with the launch soon. Media reports suggest that both SUVs are slated to debut in mid-2025.
