Tata Harrier and Safari Petrol Launch Confirmed for December 9: Everything You Need to Know
After a development phase spanning over five years, the long-awaited petrol iterations of the Tata Harrier and Tata Safari are finally ready for the Indian market. Tata Motors has confirmed that both flagship SUVs will officially go on sale on December 9, 2025.
This launch marks a significant shift in Tata’s strategy, filling a critical gap in their portfolio by introducing the all-new 1.5-litre TGDi (turbocharged, direct injection) petrol engine. This move will allow the Harrier and Safari to compete more aggressively against petrol-powered rivals like the Mahindra XUV700 and MG Hector.
The Heart of the Matter: Tata’s New 1.5L TGDi Engine
The highlight of this launch is the debut of the powertrain from Tata’s ‘Hyperion’ engine series. First showcased at the 2023 Auto Expo, this engine promises to deliver a balance of performance and refinement.
Key Engine Specifications:
- Engine Type: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, Turbocharged Direct Injection (TGDi)
- Maximum Power: 170 PS (170 hp) at 5,000 rpm
- Peak Torque: 280 Nm between 2,000 rpm and 3,500 rpm
- Compliance: BS6 Phase II emission standards; E20 ethanol-blend ready
Construction and Technology Constructed from lightweight aluminium to improve fuel efficiency and thermal management, the engine features advanced engineering. It utilizes a water-cooled variable geometry turbocharger, variable valve timing, and an integrated exhaust manifold. These additions aim to provide superior refinement and spirited performance.
While manual and automatic transmission options are confirmed, the specific type of automatic gearbox—whether a torque converter or a dual-clutch transmission (DCT)—remains to be officially revealed.
The Tata Sierra Connection
Before the Harrier and Safari petrol models hit the showroom floors, this new engine will make its market debut with the upcoming Tata Sierra on November 25, 2025.
The Sierra will utilize a dual-powertrain strategy:
- Lower Variants: Will be powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine to keep the starting price competitive (estimated around Rs 11 lakh).
- Higher Variants: Will feature the same 1.5-litre TGDi turbo petrol engine found in the Harrier and Safari.
It is important to note that the Harrier and Safari will likely skip the naturally aspirated engine entirely, offering only the powerful turbo-petrol unit to maintain their premium positioning.
Price Expectations and Market Competition
One of the biggest advantages of the new petrol variants will be their pricing. Historically, petrol variants are priced lower than their diesel counterparts.
Current Diesel Pricing (Ex-showroom):
- Tata Harrier Diesel: Rs 14.00 lakh – Rs 25.25 lakh
- Tata Safari Diesel: Rs 14.66 lakh – Rs 25.96 lakh
Industry estimates suggest the petrol variants could undercut these prices significantly, making the flagship SUVs accessible to a wider audience.
Rivals With the introduction of gasoline power, Tata Motors is taking the fight directly to the competition:
- Harrier Rivals: Jeep Compass, MG Hector.
- Safari Rivals: Mahindra XUV700, Hyundai Alcazar, Jeep Meridian.
Interestingly, the Jeep Compass and Meridian are also expected to borrow this specific 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine from Tata in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When is the launch date for the Tata Harrier and Safari petrol? The petrol versions of the Tata Harrier and Tata Safari are scheduled to launch in India on December 9, 2025.
Q2: What are the power figures of the Harrier petrol engine? The Harrier and Safari will be powered by a 1.5-litre TGDi turbo petrol engine producing 170 PS of power and 280 Nm of torque.
Q3: Will the Harrier get a naturally aspirated petrol engine? No, the naturally aspirated 1.5L petrol engine is expected to be reserved for the lower variants of the Tata Sierra. The Harrier and Safari are likely to only receive the more powerful turbo-petrol engine.
Q4: What is the expected price of the Tata Safari petrol? While official prices will be revealed at launch, the Safari petrol is expected to be priced lower than the diesel version, which currently starts at Rs 14.66 lakh (ex-showroom).
Q5: Which other cars will use Tata’s new 1.5L Turbo Petrol engine? Apart from the Harrier and Safari, the top-spec variants of the upcoming Tata Sierra and potentially the Jeep Compass and Jeep Meridian are expected to use this engine.
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