Quick Drive: Tata Safari Storme Varicor 400
You have to hand it to Tata Motors; they’ve done what all enthusiasts wish and pine for each time a manufacturer releases an updated variant. Almost without exception, such variants of existing models add up to little more than decals and perhaps a few dealer-installed extras. It wasn’t even that long ago that we drove the updated Safari Storme, but Tata believes it’s time for another one, so here it is: the Safari Storme Varicor 400, indicating an updated engine now producing a max torque of 400Nm. Power is up to 154bhp, you get LED DRLs now and there’s a new six-speed transmission as well.
- The rest of the car is about the same as it used to be. If there have been tweaks to the interior, they aren’t immediately apparent. Our top-spec media vehicle came with a couple of ornamental extras in the form of a deflector on the bonnet and a non-functional hood scoop that appears glued on. It’s enough to incite the occasional double-take from passers-by, but that’s about all.
The interior will feel immediately familiar to Safari fans. The tall perch from which you till the wheel, the heavy doors that need a deliberate slam to close properly and the feature-complete, but dated looking console package. If you squint in just the right way, it’s almost charming and old-world. The Bluetooth and iPod-compatible entertainment system has a basic dot-matrix display which does the job. It’s surrounded by traditional clicky buttons and some regal-looking chrome trim. It looks a bit like someone put modern electronics in a period-correct ’90s entertainment system.
On the go, the things that strike you are the ones that haven’t changed. The gelatinous ride quality is still there; you need to wait for the suspension to stop oscillating if you happen to jump something like a speed bump. Steering is heavy, and something that only true fans will appreciate. Even Mahindras of all sizes have light, sharp steering these days. The new, torquier engine takes a while to spool up to 2100rpm, when the turbo kicks in and things get interesting. We wish the throttle response was calibrated to better use the torque. We found ourselves mashing the throttle all the way to the floor to get a move on. The new six-speed transmission appears to have a short first and second, with taller gears thereafter. Fifth is about all you need on non-express highways, with sixth invariably dropping you out of boost. We found third gear ideal for narrow state highways, village roads and light elevations. Four-wheel drive is available by way of a three-position knob, as usual.
Tata continues to deliver the Safari Storme with folding jump seats at the back instead of a perfunctory and unsatisfactory third row. This means you have a cavernous cargo area, enough for a large dog and his toys to travel long distances in comfort. Yes, we tried this as well. In all, the Varicor 400 certainly makes for a more interesting variant than a decal and accessories job. The additional power and torque unfortunately don’t change the vehicle’s dynamics much. The Tata Safari Storme Varicor 400 ends up feeling a bit like your fastidious doctor uncle’s daily ride: neat, complete and betraying, perhaps, a streak of shaukeen, but ultimately a bit dated. And all this at Rs 14.6 lac ex-showroom, Delhi, which puts it up against SUVs that offer more value and capability.
Originally published at ThrillOfDriving.com on January 25, 2016.
