While we hold our collective breath to see whether Land Rover will become a Tata marque, a Pune-based outfit has just launched an off-road recreational vehicle that will quicken your adventurous pulse.
The Overlanders’ Freedom is a 4×4 campervan built on the TataTL sports utility truck platform (originally marketed in South Africa and only recently launched for the Indian market). After its makeover as a Freedom, the rugged Tata features a sumptuous range of creature comforts ranging from two double beds to a kitchen with a two burner hob, fridge, 110-litre water tank (and filter), not to mention the kitchen sink. At the other end of utilities, there’s a portapotty with its own discreet tent. On the road, all of these appurtenances fold away into a sleek(ish) housing on the bed of the pickup.
Could this be the beast that seduces a new generation into the joys of caravanning in the Great Indian Outdoors? Well, it looks like fun and you will save on hotel bills but like all good things the Overlanders’ Freedom comes at a price. Namely Rs 17,60,000 (of which the base vehicle accounts for Rs 6.7 lakh). The camper van is also available with an optional solar panel for ‘unplugged’ power supply, which raises the price to Rs 20,20,000 (prices ex-Pune, excluding taxes). Hey, but you save on electricity bills…and carbon credits! Contact: Daulat Deshmukh (9822038853), or see www.overlanders.co.in