Tata Altroz Creative S AMT CNG

Buying a new car in India involves a lot of thought. You are looking for something that fits your budget, keeps you and your family safe, does not burn a hole in your pocket with monthly maintenance, offers the latest features, and comes with reliable company service. If these sound like your top priorities, then you are in the right place. Today, we are taking a deep dive into a car that aims to tick all these boxes and more: the new Tata Altroz Creative S AMT CNG. Tata Motors has been making waves with its iCNG technology, and adding an automatic gearbox to it in a premium hatchback is a game-changer. Let us find out if this Altroz is the perfect ride for your daily commute and weekend getaways.

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

The Tata Altroz Creative S AMT CNG comes with a 1.2-litre Revotron Bi-Fuel engine, offering a balanced performance for city and highway drives.

• Engine Type: 1.2L Revotron Bi-Fuel (Petrol & CNG)
• Max Power (Petrol): 88 PS @ 6000 rpm
• Max Torque (Petrol): 115 Nm @ 3250 rpm
• Max Power (CNG): 77 PS @ 6000 rpm
• Max Torque (CNG): 103 Nm @ 3250 rpm
• Fuel Economy (CNG): Around 26.2 km/kg (ARAI certified, varies with driving conditions)
• Transmission: 5-speed AMT (Automated Manual Transmission)

Design Overview

Exterior

The Tata Altroz has always been a looker, and the CNG AMT variant carries that forward. It boasts a sleek, sporty design with sharp lines and a wide stance. The projector headlamps, LED DRLs, and stylish alloy wheels give it a premium feel. It truly stands out as a premium hatchback on Indian roads, looking modern and sophisticated.

Interior

Step inside, and you are greeted by a well-designed, spacious cabin. The dual-tone interior theme adds to the premium appeal. The quality of materials used feels good for its segment. It offers comfortable seating for five, making long journeys pleasant. The layout is ergonomic, with all controls easily accessible.

Key Features

Tata has loaded the Altroz Creative S AMT CNG with features to enhance your driving experience and convenience.

• Infotainment System: 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system by Harman
• Connectivity: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
• Sunroof: Electric sunroof (voice-assisted)
• Camera: Rear parking camera with display
• Climate Control: Automatic climate control
• Other Features: Engine push button start/stop, multi-function steering wheel, ambient lighting, cruise control, USB charging ports.

What is the Ground Clearance of Tata Altroz Creative S AMT CNG?

The Tata Altroz Creative S AMT CNG offers a healthy ground clearance of 165 mm (unladen). This is good enough to tackle most Indian speed breakers and uneven roads without scraping the underbelly.

What is the Boot Space of Tata Altroz Creative S AMT CNG?

One of the cleverest innovations in the Altroz iCNG is the twin-cylinder setup. This results in a much more usable boot space compared to traditional single-cylinder CNG cars.

• Boot Space (CNG): Approximately 210 litres (with twin-cylinder setup). This is a significant advantage, allowing you to carry luggage even with CNG cylinders installed.

What are the Dimensions of Tata Altroz Creative S AMT CNG?

Understanding a car's dimensions helps in judging its maneuverability and cabin space.

• Length: 3990 mm
• Width: 1755 mm
• Height: 1523 mm
• Wheelbase: 2501 mm

Powertrain Options

The Tata Altroz is available with multiple powertrain options, catering to diverse customer needs.

• Petrol: 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with 5-speed manual or AMT.
• Diesel: 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with 5-speed manual.
• i-CNG: 1.2-litre bi-fuel (petrol+CNG) engine, available with 5-speed manual or the new 5-speed AMT. This AMT CNG option is what we are focusing on today, offering the convenience of an automatic with the economy of CNG.

Safety Features

Safety is a top priority for Tata, and the Altroz reflects that with a comprehensive suite of features.

• Airbags: Dual front airbags
• Braking: ABS with EBD (Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution)
• Cornering Stability: Cornering Stability Control
• Parking: Reverse parking sensors with camera
• Other: Seat belt reminder, high-speed alert system, ISOFIX child seat mounts, puncture repair kit.

NCAP Rating Table

The Altroz has consistently proven its robust build quality in safety tests.

Note: The Global NCAP rating was for the petrol variant, but the structural integrity is common across variants. Bharat NCAP rating for the Altroz iCNG reaffirms its safety credentials specifically for the CNG model.

Rivals of Tata Altroz Creative S AMT CNG

In the premium hatchback segment, especially with CNG and automatic options, the Altroz Creative S AMT CNG competes with key players:

• Maruti Suzuki Baleno CNG
• Toyota Glanza CNG
• Hyundai i20 (though a direct CNG automatic rival is yet to fully emerge from Hyundai)

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Advantages (Pros):

• Fuel Efficiency: Excellent mileage thanks to the iCNG technology, leading to significantly lower running costs, making it a budget-friendly car.
• Convenience of AMT: The automatic transmission makes city driving much easier and less tiring, perfect for India's congested roads.
• Safety: A stellar 5-star safety rating from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP provides immense peace of mind for you and your family.
• Boot Space: Innovative twin-cylinder setup offers a much more usable boot compared to other CNG cars, solving a common CNG car problem.
• Premium Design & Features: Stylish exterior and a well-equipped interior with modern features like a voice-assisted sunroof and automatic climate control.
• Brand Reliability: Tata's expanding service network and commitment to customer satisfaction adds to the ownership experience.
• Direct Start in CNG: The Altroz iCNG can directly start in CNG mode, a convenient feature that saves time and fuel.

Disadvantages (Cons):

• Engine Performance: The 1.2L engine can feel a bit underpowered, especially on highways or with a full load, particularly when running on CNG.
• AMT Lag: Like most AMTs, there might be a slight jerkiness or lag during gear shifts, which might not be as smooth as a conventional torque converter or CVT automatic.
• Price: Being a premium hatchback with advanced CNG tech and an automatic gearbox, it might be priced slightly higher than some direct competitors or petrol-only variants.
• Limited High-End Features: While well-equipped, some rivals might offer slightly more advanced features (e.g., larger infotainment screen, ventilated seats in higher variants of competitors).

Conclusion

The Tata Altroz Creative S AMT CNG emerges as a truly compelling package for the Indian car buyer. It successfully blends the much-desired convenience of an automatic transmission with the cost-effectiveness of CNG fuel. Add to that its 5-star safety rating, premium design, and smart features like the twin-cylinder boot setup and voice-assisted sunroof, and you have a car that is hard to ignore. While the engine performance might not set your pulse racing and the AMT can have its quirks, its overall value proposition for daily commutes, family safety, and budget-friendly running costs is incredibly strong. If you are in the market for a safe, stylish, and economical automatic premium hatchback, the Altroz Creative S AMT CNG deserves a serious look. It truly redefines what a CNG car can offer in the Indian market.