Armoured cars are becoming the next important thing in the Indian Automobile market as potential buyers always opt for cars with better safety features but a car with good safety features and an armoured car are two different things. Features and Pricing are the aspects where these high security cars can be distinguished from the rest.
It were the Tatas who started this trend of introducing heavily cladded security cars and the current line-up consists of Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery and Jaguar XJ, The newest addition to it is the bulletproof Tata Safari SUV priced at a mind boggling Rs.60 Lakh and it very much explains how concentrated the company is on offering bullet proof vehicles for those who can afford.
The weight of the car has increased drastically due to the additional safety equipment but the fine tuned suspension manages to handle the additional weight. Inspite of being heavier the car surprisingly achieves a top speed of 150 km/h and can climb slopes with gradients as high as 60%. Even the interiors have been been upgraded and now get plush leather upholstery
One of the dealers has quoted, “Since the cost of the vehicle is so high, very few dealers invest to buy it and stock it in their showrooms. Such vehicles are not promoted by the manufacturing company but can be had after placing an order to a nearest dealer.”
The safari sports the new BS IV 2.2 Litre DICOR diesel engine which churns out a maximum power of 140 BHP @ 4000 RPM and a peak torque of 320 Nm @1700 RPM but now it is to be seen whether buyers would opt for the car or not.
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