After several rounds of field trials and analysis of various aspects, Indian Army has chosen Tata Motor's Safari Storme GS 800 over Mahindra Scorpio for the replacement of Maruti Gypsy. Even though both Scorpio and Safari successfully completed field trials, apparently Tata Motors haf presented a better financial deal to the Army.
An initial order for 3198 vehicles has been placed now, though additional orders may soon follow. Army operates more than 30.000 Gypsys which they use extensively to transport troops and officers and even as LSVs. The GS 800 designation stands for General Service 800kg capacity, the Maruti Gypsy for instance was known as GS 500 and had a 500kg capacity.
Powered by a 2.2L VARICOR 400 VTT diesel engine, the Storme GS800 comes with an electronic "shift-on-fly" 4WD system and a Limited Slip Differential. The Mil-Spec GS800 also gets beefed up suspension, strengthened engine mounts, fit-on armour options, weapons rack etc. However the Harman multimedia system won't be finding its way to the military.
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