Tata Safari and Harrier Set to Receive Petrol Power: Tata Motors has now begun to plug a serious gap in its premium SUV range. Tata Safari and Harrier, which are currently offered only with diesel, will finally get a petrol engine option by mid-2025. This is also a strategic decision considering the Indian automotive market is fast abating due to the recent gradual upswing in demand for petrol variants, more so in urban markets that will become even more stringent with their legislating against high-emission diesel motors’ short shelf life.
The next set of petrol models are going to house Tata’s all-new 1.5-litre TGDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection) mill, with the engine tuned to churn out solid output figures of 168-170 bhp and 280 Nm of torque. This should make both the SUVs much more appealing to buyers, especially in markets such as Delhi NCR, where diesel cars are limited to a 10-year life.
The New Heart: 1.5L TGDi Engine Specifications
And the hero of this imminent launch is Tata’s new 1.5-litre TGDi petrol motor. Unveiled at 2023 Auto Expo, the engine reflects Tatas endeavor to move to a new family of engines that are modern, clean and efficient. The engine block has an aluminum design that not only saves on weight, but also rigidity (similar to upgrading from a steel frame to carbon composite on a race car).
This new 1.5-litre petrol motor will deliver around 168-170 bhp of power at 5000 rpm as well as 280 Nm of torque in the range of 2000-3500 rpm. Although these numbers could seem a tad lower than the Mahindra XUV700’s 2.0-litre turbo-charged petrol unit (that punches out 197 bhp and 380 Nm), the Safari and Harrier’s light aluminum build can work in favour of a spirited drive. The former will be BS6 Phase II compliant, and will run on regular petrol and E20 ethanol-petrol blend.
Transmission choices will comprise of a 6-speed manual for those who want to do the shifting, and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) for those who’d rather leave the gear shifting to the car in city traffic. This would be the first instance when a dual-clutch gearbox is offered on the lineup of both the Safari and the Harrier.
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Launch Timeline and Market Positioning
The Safari and Harrier petrol models are also expected to be launched in mid-2025, if the recent spy shots and various media reports are to be believed. Hidden under camouflage, an India-spec, petrol-powered version of the Safari has already been spotted being tested in the country, indicating that the development is in full swing.
Tata Motors launching the petrol model comes at the right time. While the company has managed to penetrate almost every segment of SUV, right from the Punch to the Nexon, the Harrier, Safari or Curvv – the flagship models of the brand thus far have come with diesel engines only.
This may have limited their appeal, as modest as it may be, especially when you compare the sales figures – both models struggled, selling under 2,000 units each – with competition like the Mahindra XUV700 that sold, in August 2024, more than 9,000 units.
It is speculated that the petrol versions will be priced lower than the diesels, and could start from roughly ₹14 lakh for both models. The result would be these premium SUVs would be available to a larger swath of the population, as if you lowered the membership fee for a posh club.
Expected Specifications and Design Changes
The petrol avatars of the Safari and the Harrier are expected to carry forth the majority of the feature and design components from the recently refreshed diesel models. Both SUVs were treated to an extensive facelift with sharp new exterior designs featuring linked LED DRLs and taillights and reworked plush interiors.
On the inside, we can also expect similar level of premium-ness with features such as a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, ventilated front and second row seats (in the 6-seater Safari), panoramic sunroof and JBL audio. In terms of safety, the safety package will most likely comprise of several airbags, electronic stability control and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) functionalities such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.
Though overall design is expected to be retained, Tata can also add new color options or even special editions just to keep the petrol offerings distinct. The existing persona-based variant lineup — Smart, Pure, Adventure and Accomplished — is expected to continue with the petrol models too.
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Market Impact and Competition
The petrol engines in the Safari and Harrier range will obviously reposition the products quite a bit in the market. These SUVs now primarily rival the Mahindra XUV700, MG Hector Plus and Hyundai Alcazar all of which have a petrol and diesel engine on offer.
With the introduction of petrol versions, Tata will have an option for those who would want to opt for the gasoline engine because of its low initial price, smoother behaviour and some regions of operation which do not have the same laws as they have in the metros. This is important for cities like Delhi-NCR where a limited life is imposed on diesel vehicles.
This is also timely considering Tata’s overall powertrain plan, which has the Harrier EV pencilled in for March 2025. This three-powertrain strategy, diesel, petrol, electric, will result in Tata Motors having one of the widest powertrain offerings in the premium SUV segment and will cater to customers based on their requirements and aspirations.
So for prospective buyers it will be perfect – you get the typical solid feel that only a Tata car has and a road presence that would certainly be the envy of anyone else on the block, plus a smooth and refined petrol motor that should work well in virtually all driving scenarios – at least on paper. Fuel efficiency figures have not been announced, but they will presumably give us some fuel figure band between the diesel and petrol options.
These petrol models are more than a new engine option – it’s Tata Motors revving up its SUV engines to take more of the ever-growing pie of the premium SUV sector in India. With these updates, the Safari and Harrier will look to battle rivals and draw attention of more buyers.