Tata Confirms Petrol Engine for Safari and Harrier: to Come Next Year

With the launch of the Safari and Harrier SUVs, Tata Motors has upped the game in the SUV segment, and they have also confirmed to bring petrol engines to both flagship SUVs next year.

Tata Motors recently launched the updated Safari and Harrier at a starting price (ex-showroom) of Rs 16.19 lakh and Rs 15.49 lakh, respectively, but both SUVs have just one fuel option: diesel, while the segment offers both diesel and petrol engines. In this regard, Tata Motors falls short when it comes to providing a wider range to customers, especially in the Delhi NCR Region, where buyers are more hesitant to buy a large diesel car due to the 10-year regulation.

All the major rivals of Safari and Harrier, like the Scorpio N, XUV700, MG Hector, and Hyundai Alcazar, offer choices of both petrol and diesel engines. All these cars also benefit from the low starting prices of their gasoline options. The Tata twins will also be benefited by this trend whenever a petrol option comes into the portfolio.

It is also obvious that diesel cars are losing their share to alternative options, and they are also becoming more costly to buy and run with every passing day. The share of diesel vehicles in the passenger vehicle segment was around 52% in 2013–14, which has come down to just 18% in 2023–24. In a recent media interview, Shailesh Chandra, the Managing Director of Tata Motors, Passenger Vehicles, said that “Diesel sales for Tata Motors have seen a decline, ranging between 12 percent and 15 percent.” However, despite this dip, Mr. Chandra emphasized that “they will continue manufacturing diesel vehicles for as long as there is a demand”. But the recent announcement of plans to introduce the petrol option in the Safari and Harrier clearly shows that Tata can’t rely on diesel alone, and they also should not be.

The 1.5-liter TGDi motor

Tata showcased their most talked-about petrol engine at the Auto Expo 2023, which was claimed to produce 170 PS of max power and 280 Nm of peak torque. This is the engine that is claimed to be launched in the Harrier and Safari next year. It will either be paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or a new DCT transmission.

Alongside the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, Tata also showcased a smaller 1.2-liter TGDi engine that is claimed to produce 122 PS and 225 Nm of torque. This engine is expected to launch with the upcoming Tata Curv SUV.

Both of the engines are BS6-Phase 2-compliant, lightweight aluminum engines that are reportedly more refined and fuel-efficient. They can run on E20 fuel, which is a gasoline combination with 20% ethanol.

These engines are much anticipated because the current petrol engines from Tata Motors are often criticized for their lackluster performance and poor refinement levels.

Tata’s Safety

The Safari and Harrier both scored a full five-star rating in terms of both adult and child protection from the Global NCAP. They managed to get unprecedented points in both the adult and child protection parameters and came out as winners with flying colors in the safety department. This also proves the commitment of Tata Motors to the safety of their customers.