The potential owner would be happy to read that over a hundred off kilometers and in a mix of city and highway driving with the air-conditioner switched on on most occasions, the Storme returned me approximately 14 km/l, which for a car of its dimensions and weight is remarkable to my mind. All combined together and the Storme steams along quite well with a predictable and fairly linear power delivery from the turbo diesel unit and never feels overwhelmed by the sheer bulk of the Storme and reaches high double and low triple digit speeds in quick time.
#Tata safari storme 400 review manual#
The engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual geared transmission which is unfortunately a bit rubbery to use and long in the throws, though the same is not imprecise and is ably aided by a well set up clutch, that is both light and precise in action. The flexibility of the engine is also demonstrated by my pick-up from dead in second gear (of 5 forward) without much drama, though its best to keep the engine boiling over 1500 rpm for instant response.
The engine note is fairly muted at low revs but go past 2000 rpms in a hurry and the diesel clatter is quite loud and a bit gruff. Tata claims a low 14 second dash to 100 and I have no reason to doubt that. Despite the healthy torque and being a diesel, the Storme is rev happy and is thumps along from approximately 1700 rpm to 3000 rpm. The latest and greatest improvement to the Safari is the 10bhp increase to the 2.2-litre VARICOR diesel engine, now peaking at approximately 148 bhp at 4000 rpm (max torque of 320 Nm between 1700-2700 rpm). For further safety, in the VX trim, the front passengers also get airbags and powerful headlamp effect for bullying lesser objects out of the way when hurrying to an all important farmhouse party. What is even more remarkable and possibly an unnecessary feature is the driver’s seat height adjustment lever, as I found the Storme seating a touch too high, even though I am quite short in height. An additional safety (and ego massaging) feature that is now a part of the Safari folklore is the unparalleled driving and seating position in general that is offered, assisted by the large glass area for good all round visibility. The braking performance in the real world is good and reassuring, though the hand brake lever feels a bit flimsy for the weight it checks. The Storme in the VX trim rides on 235/70 R16s and comes equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels(alloys in VX trim) along with ABS and EBD. The large rear-view door mirrors provide good coverage and parking is greatly assisted by reverse parking sensors (though without a camera). The steering wheel is comfortable to hold and pleasing to the eye, which in the VX trim comes with integrated button for audio (an upgraded Harman unit with good sound though limited functions) and phone functions. However on the move and even at speed, the Storme is quite well planted, provided not much is demanded of it in a hurry. The steering is quite heavy despite being power assisted, possibly to keep the Storme honest given its dimensions and the law of physics it constantly smothers. However the Storme does pitch and roll quite a bit due to its height, weight and tall boy stance, requiring careful inputs to the wheel when changing directions in a hurry or at speed. Over poor and bad road surfaces, bumps and thuds do filter through marginally to the cabin but not at an annoying level or any worse than its competitors.
The high ground clearance of 200mm and weight (nearly 2 tonnes) just road rolls everything in its path. The Storme also features two fold down seats in the boot (which is quite large and further increased by split/fold-able second row seats) but that is best used by small children and if you must, then for average size adults for short journeys. The Storme seats 5 is absolute comfort and the seats themselves are well padded and very comfortable for long journeys and motorway cruises. The air-conditioner on the Storme is extremely effective and provides the all important rear passengers immediate relief through dedicated air vents along the roof and front passenger central armrest housing.ĭark fabrics used for the seats and cabin in general are quite smart and go with the overall aesthetic theme of the cabin as improved by the colours used for the dashboard plastics.
The cabin switch-gear is good to the touch and functions well, though the dashboard is an odd mix of good and crude (especially the air vents) quality plastic. The general standard of fit and finish is acceptable, though still behind its competitors. The Storme is built like a tank and weighs nearly the same at nearly 2 tonnes, however the door action is easy on the arms and handle levers are robust and light in use.
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