Tata Safari EV spotted testing for the first time ahead of festive season launch

Tata Motors' upcoming Safari EV has been spotted testing for the first time, revealing key electric-specific components ahead of its festive season debut as the brand's flagship three-row electric SUV.

Tata has begun road testing the electric Safari, with the upcoming SUV being spotted in camouflage for the first time on Indian roads. Expected to arrive during the festive season later this year, the Safari EV will sit at the top of Tata's electric passenger vehicle portfolio and take on three-row electric SUVs, including Mahindra XEV 9S.

The test mule largely retains the familiar silhouette of the ICE-powered Safari, but a closer look reveals several EV-specific cues. Most notably, the prototype lacks a conventional exhaust outlet and features an independent multi-link rear suspension setup similar to the recently unveiled Harrier EV. These elements strongly indicate that the vehicle under testing is indeed the electric iteration of Tata's flagship SUV.

Another interesting detail spotted on the prototype is a side step, a feature not currently offered on the standard Safari. While heavy camouflage conceals most styling elements, the production-spec Safari EV is expected to receive EV-specific design updates, including revised bumpers, new alloy wheel designs and dedicated badging. Overall dimensions are likely to remain largely unchanged from the existing model.

Built on Tata Motors' Acti.ev+ architecture, the Safari EV will share much of its underlying technology with the Harrier EV. Like its smaller sibling, the Safari EV is expected to be an electrified adaptation of an existing internal combustion platform rather than a ground-up EV.

Inside, the cabin layout is likely to mirror that of the current Safari, although Tata could introduce a unique interior theme to distinguish the electric version. The SUV is also expected to benefit from the company's latest TiDAL (Tata Intelligent Digital Architecture Layer) electronic architecture, enabling a host of advanced connected and convenience features.

These are expected to include over-the-air software updates, summon mode, auto-park assist, low-speed adaptive cruise functionality, UPI-enabled in-car payment services and an enhanced 540-degree surround-view camera system.

Battery and performance expected to mirror Harrier EV

While Tata Motors has not officially disclosed technical specifications, the Safari EV is widely expected to borrow its powertrain options from the Harrier EV. This could mean a choice between 65kWh and 75kWh battery packs, with higher variants likely receiving a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration.

In the Harrier EV, the rear-wheel-drive setup develops 238bhp and 315Nm of torque. The dual-motor AWD version adds a front-mounted motor producing 116bhp, resulting in a combined torque output of 504Nm.

Given its larger dimensions and additional weight associated with a three-row body style, the Safari EV may offer a slightly lower driving range than the Harrier EV. For reference, the Harrier EV claims up to 538km on the 65kWh battery pack, while the 75kWh versions deliver up to 628km in RWD form and 622km with AWD.

With its launch expected around the festive season, the Safari EV is set to become Tata Motors' most premium electric SUV yet, expanding the company's presence in EV segment.

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