What is it?
The Safari Storme has got an upgraded motor that puts out 400Nm of torque, 80 more than the earlier Storme – which means you can finally win drag races against other Safaris. Tweaks to Storme’s 2.2-litre engine has liberated an extra 6bhp of power too. The 149 horses the Storme galloped with before seemed enough for the segment but now you’ve got bragging rights. Time to pop those pecs.
What’s new?
Tata Motors has upgraded the turbocharger to pump in more air into the cylinders. Post its lag phase till about 1800rpm, there’s an urgency that makes the Storme 400 rather more enjoyable on the highway. It pulls linearly till 3000rpm before running out of breath and asking for an upshift. There are six-speeds now, the gearbox being the one that will make it to the Hexa when it’s showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo. The same engine-gearbox combination was supposed to first feature in the Hexa but the Hexa has been held back for the Expo. So if you are wondering why the Safari Storme got a new range topping powertrain out of the blue, you have your answer.
What else?
Nothing besides the Varicor 400 badge on the fender. SUVs like the Tata Safari and Mahindra Scorpio suit the man with a moustache. Do you need one on the lip of the bonnet though? Or a nose that can’t breathe on that long Tata hood? These tacky efforts are made to impress (maybe the probable Safari Storme owner likes these embellishments). Thankfully these features are aftermarket accessories you can opt out of!
Fun to drive?
The engine is eager and the Storme sits on its rear suspension when you stomp on the gas; that tacky air intake rises up with the front end and the full-fat Storme surges ahead with its new found torque reserves. However, you don’t want to carve corners in a Safari, take it down a winding road or even negotiate the beast through traffic. You can tirelessly munch miles (a little faster than before) from your front row viewing gallery though.
It takes some effort to get through the gates when you shift the stick into reverse due to the sixth speed with revers
Value?
Priced at Rs 14.6 lakh for the 4X4 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Safari Storme Varicor 400 isn’t cheap. It’s about Rs 85,000 costlier than the Scorpio 4WD, to give you a sense of perspective. The Varicor 400, on paper, might boast of better output but overall it still looks too similar to the current Storme to tempt buyers.
Photography: Gaurav S Thombre