Tata Motors is apparently working on something pretty exciting – all-wheel-drive tech for the next generation Harrier and Safari. Yeah, you heard that right. After years of these SUVs being stuck with front-wheel drive, it looks like Tata’s finally ready to give them some proper grip.
This couldn’t have come at a better time, honestly. Indian buyers are getting pickier about their SUVs, and everyone’s asking the same question – why can’t my big, burly SUV actually handle tough terrain? With competitors like the XUV700 already flaunting their AWD badges, Tata was starting to look a bit left out at the party. For folks who’ve been missing a proper 4×4 Tata since the Hexa got the axe, this feels like Christmas morning.
Platform Revolution
Now here’s where it gets really juicy – Tata’s ditching the old Land Rover hand-me-down platform completely. The OMEGA Arc has been decent, don’t get me wrong, but it’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole when it comes to AWD.
The new platform? Built from scratch with AWD in mind. It’s like finally getting a house designed for your family instead of trying to squeeze into your bachelor pad forever. Makes perfect sense when you think about it – why force AWD into a platform that was never meant for it?
AWD: More Than Just Marketing Fluff
Look, let’s cut through the nonsense here. Most of us buying SUVs will probably never see anything more challenging than a mall parking lot. But that’s missing the point entirely. AWD isn’t just about weekend warrior fantasies – it’s about not getting stuck when it’s pouring cats and dogs during monsoon, or feeling confident when you hit that patch of loose gravel on your way to the hills.
The Harrier EV already showed us what Tata can do with AWD – that thing pumps out 394 horses with its dual motors. Getting something similar (obviously less mental) in the petrol versions would be absolutely brilliant.
Read Also: Maruti Escudo SUV Reveals Launch Timeline, Pricing Details for September 2025
What This Means for Buyers
If you’re currently eyeing a Harrier or Safari, this news might make you want to hold your horses. But don’t beat yourself up if you’ve already bought one – these next-gen models are still quite a ways off. Word is Tata’s focusing on petrol variants for the current lineup first, expected around March 2026.
The timing actually works out pretty well. EVs are picking up steam, traditional SUV buyers want more bang for their buck, and Tata needs to make sure their flagship models don’t start looking dated next to the competition.
The Bigger Picture
This whole AWD thing fits into Tata’s master plan of not letting anyone else steal their SUV thunder. They’ve been doing pretty well lately – the Harrier EV launch went smoothly, and both the Harrier and Safari are still holding their own against newer kids on the block.
Throwing AWD into the mix would basically be the cherry on top. It gives people a solid reason to pick Tata over Mahindra or even consider skipping those expensive imports altogether.