For quite some time, there have been reports circulating online that Tata Motors is working on petrol engine variants of its popular SUVs, the Safari and Harrier. Recently, the test mules of the above mentioned were spotted road testing. Both test mules were seen on a public road in a properly camouflaged incarnation. The spy shots are courtesy of automotive enthusiasts Srikanth and Vipin.
Looking at the spotted prototypes, we noticed no cosmetic change. Hence, these cannot be called facelift models. Almost all Tata Harrier competitors use petrol engines, so it was losing customers who only wanted the petrol variant. Currently, the mid-size SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine derived from Fiat. This engine is capable of generating 170HP and 350Nm of torque when coupled to a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.
Presumptions are that the brand has produced a 4-cylinder petrol engine displacing 1.5 litres and has impoverished a turbocharger to enhance the power and efficiency of the engine. The new engine is expected to churn out 150HP and 250Nm of torque. This all-new petrol engine is most likely to be more refined and smoother as compared to the engine sourced from Fiat and powering both SUVs.
In terms of features, the 2022 Harrier is anticipated to sport the same set of gadgets offered in the existing model. It would feature an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a semi-digital instrument console, a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlamps, and more.
The addition of a petrol variant may also lead to a reduction in prices and make the Harrier and Safari more affordable. Currently, the Tata Harrier is available at a starting price of Rs 14.39 lakh, while the Safari comes with a starting price of Rs 14.99 lakh. Both are ex-showroom prices.
