Tata Harrier And Safari Petrol Launch Timelines Confirmed, I.5L Engine, 170 PS
Tata Motors, in the last few months, has been experiencing a slight slump in sales. As a result, it has fallen to the fourth position in the top automakers list. Now, in order to get buyers and shareholders excited, the company has made a big announcement. It has finally confirmed that the petrol-powered Harrier mid-size SUV and the Safari seven-seater SUV will be launched in March 2026.
Tata Harrier and Safari petrol timelines confirmed
At the Tata Motors investors meeting, the officials from the company have announced that the Harrier and Safari petrol will be launched in India by March 2026. Both of these popular SUVs will come powered by the all-new 1.5-litre TGDi turbo petrol engine.
This motor was showcased by the company at this year's Bharat Mobility Global Auto Expo, which was held in January this year. The new powerplant will be capable of producing 170 PS of power and 280 Nm of torque. Tata Motors, at the moment, has not confirmed the transmission options which will be offered with the Harrier and Safari.
However, it has been reported that both will come with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. Meanwhile, there will be a 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch gearbox), which will be optional. As for the current engine option offered by Tata Motors, both Harrier and Safari come powered by a 2.0-litre Kryotec diesel engine.
It is capable of producing 170 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque. Gearbox options for these SUVs include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Most likely, apart from the new petrol engines, both SUVs will not get any major design or feature upgrades.
Will the petrol engine be better than the time-tested diesel?
From the specifications on paper, the 1.5-litre TGDi turbo petrol seems like a solid engine. Despite being smaller, this engine produces the same 170 PS of power. The only drawback of this motor is the lowered torque of 280 Nm. However, on the brighter side, the petrol-engined Harrier and Safari will be smoother than the diesel counterparts.
Now, whether it offers better fuel efficiency than the diesel is currently unknown. What we do believe will most likely be a benefit is that these petrol-powered SUVs will be slightly more affordable than the diesel-powered variants. Currently, the Harrier starts at Rs 15 lakh and goes up to Rs 26.5 lakh. As for the Safari, it starts at Rs 15.5 lakh and goes up to Rs 27.25 lakh.
Sierra ICE to use the same petrol engine
In addition to the Tata Harrier and Safari, the upcoming Sierra mid-size SUV will also be using the same 1.5-litre TGDi turbo petrol engine. As per the reports, the company will be first launching the Sierra.ev in India, which is likely to borrow Harrier.ev’s drivetrain, after which the Sierra ICE will be launched.
Additionally, the Sierra ICE will also utilise the same 2.0-litre Kryotec diesel engine as well. Other notable highlights of the Sierra will be the triple-screen layout, which was recently spotted on one of its test mules. The company is also working on the EV version of the Safari, which could be launched in the near future as well.