Safari Dicor 2.2 VTT EX - Big Monster with a Squashy gear box

1st gear it leaps when you de-clutch like a monster unleashed.

2nd it has a pronounced soft spot/ turbo lag till 2000 rpm when the turbo kicks in. However when one stops and starts in city traffic or while going over a speed breaker, it can be a pain.

3rd/ 4th/ 5th fine.

3rd being drive gear its ok but when you slacken speed a lot, despite all that torque and BHP it will still have to be down shifted to 1st to have that pep. This means more fuel consumption definitely.

Great cruiser though and will be blissful on highways - 3 level lumbar support on the seats-good for lower back. Very very spacious and comfortable and lots of toys to play with - electrically operated rear view mirrors and blah blah blah.

 Good powerful AC should be adequate for back seat passengers also.

Terribly mushy far away vague gear box rather like an Indica V2 DLG Turbo.

Steering feedback from bumps etc very slight.

Cant feel the bumps through the seats etc because it is very comfy.

If you drive with some chicaning around a bit and then apply the brake the tail feels rather waggy while braking.

Not very pronounced body roll in normal circumstances but could become irritating on winding hill roads.

2WD version more than adequate for off roading -very capable - took it quite off the road onto some rutted tracks and ups and downs - can hardly feel the bumps except that on severe ups and downs it handles like a boat. Differential suspension very good. Seats hold you well.

Some places while turning while off road, went into a dry skid, very controllable though since not at high speed. It climbs over normal sized obstacles like a monster.

Brakes seem adequate but am not sure how well they will perform while braking at speeds like 120 etc.

The BHP is evident and so is the torque but I am highly displeased about the Turbo Lag problem.

The vehicle feels really big and reversing into tight spots will definitely be troublesome especially in Bangalore.

If I take it to Ooty etc it will be good on the highways but the Sigur Ghats may prove irritating because of roll, pitch and yaw which is tangible.

Rear wheel driven thank god, so most rough roads can be dealt with. Good ground clearance so wont get too bad on rough roads and rutted tracks.

Parts and Spares could turn out more expensive than Mahindra as can the service bills.

Tata scores by the sheer amount of freebies you get at the price you pay. No doubt about that. But will I enjoy keeping it for more than 3 years? I dont know really. And the re-sale value issue is still not clear with this 2.2 VTT.

 

Very tough to choose between this and the Scorpio. The Scorpio seems more of a Driver's Jeep but the Tata lures one with the features offered and seems as close as one can get to affordable luxury.