Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR

Hey car enthusiasts and future EV owners! When you are looking to buy a new car in India, what is on your mind? Is it the budget, how safe the car is, monthly maintenance costs, the latest features, or how good the company service is? Well, for most of us, it is a mix of all these things. Today, we are going to deep dive into an electric car that is making a lot of buzz for ticking many of these boxes: the new Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR.

Tata Motors has been leading the electric vehicle charge in India, and the Punch EV is their latest compact electric SUV. The 'Empowered Plus LR' variant is the top-of-the-line model, promising a lot more range and features. Let us explore if this Tata electric car is the right fit for your garage.

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

The Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR gets a powerful electric motor. This Long Range (LR) version comes with a 90 kW motor which translates to about 120 bhp. It churns out a healthy 190 Nm of torque. This means quick acceleration for city commutes and enough power for highway cruising.

Design Overview

Exterior Design

The Tata Punch EV keeps its strong SUV stance, but with a modern EV twist.

• It has a sleek, closed-off front grille with a connected LED DRL strip that gives it a futuristic look.
• The main headlamps are placed lower down on the bumper, giving it a distinctive face.
• Stylish alloy wheels add to its premium appeal.
• The overall design looks robust and compact, perfect for Indian roads.

Interior Design

Step inside, and you will notice a significant upgrade in feel and features.

• The cabin boasts a dual-tone theme, making it feel airy and premium.
• A redesigned dashboard looks clean and modern.
• The seating is comfortable, offering good support for city and highway drives.
• A new two-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated Tata logo adds a touch of class.

Key Features

The Empowered Plus LR variant is packed with tech and convenience.

• Infotainment Screen: A large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system takes center stage.
• Connectivity: It comes with Tata's iRA connected car technology and ZConnect app, offering features like remote control, vehicle diagnostics, and location services.
• Sunroof: Yes, it features an electric sunroof, which can even be operated by voice commands.

360-degree Camera: For easy parking and navigating tight spots, a 360-degree surround view camera system is included.Wireless Charging: Keep your smartphone charged without cables with the wireless charging pad.Climate Control: Automatic climate control ensures comfortable cabin temperatures.Ventilated Front Seats: A premium feature for added comfort, especially during hot Indian summers.Blind Spot Monitor: Helps with safer lane changes.Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold: Adds to convenience and safety.

Ground Clearance

The Tata Punch EV offers a healthy ground clearance of 190 mm (unladen). This is excellent for tackling uneven Indian roads and speed breakers without worry.

Boot Space

You get a practical boot space of 366 litres in the Tata Punch EV, which is ample for your weekend luggage or grocery runs.

Dimensions

The Tata Punch EV measures approximately:

• Length: 3857 mm
• Width: 1742 mm
• Height: 1636 mm
• Wheelbase: 2445 mm

Powertrain Options

The Tata Punch EV comes with two battery options: Medium Range (MR) and Long Range (LR). Our focus, the Empowered Plus LR, gets the larger 35 kWh battery pack, delivering an ARAI-certified range of 421 km. This range makes it suitable not just for city use but also for occasional highway trips.

Safety Features

Safety is a major priority for Tata, and the Punch EV is no exception.

• Up to 6 airbags (depending on the variant).
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
• ISOFIX child seat mounts.
• All-wheel disc brakes (for LR variants) for better stopping power.

NCAP Rating

While the Tata Punch EV has not yet received a dedicated NCAP rating as an electric vehicle, it is built on Tata's ALFA-ARC platform, which is known for its strength. The petrol-powered Tata Punch has a stellar 5-star Global NCAP safety rating for adult occupant protection and 4-star for child occupant protection. Given the robust platform and added safety features, the Punch EV is expected to offer a very high level of safety.

Rivals of Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR

In the growing Indian EV market, the Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR competes with cars like:

• Mahindra XUV400 EV
• Citroen eC3

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Pros

• Impressive Range: The 421 km ARAI range for the LR variant is excellent for its segment, reducing range anxiety.
• Feature-Packed: Loaded with premium features like ventilated seats, sunroof, 360-degree camera, and a large infotainment screen.
• Strong SUV Design: Maintains the rugged and appealing SUV look with EV-specific modern touches.
• High Ground Clearance: 190 mm ground clearance is perfect for Indian road conditions.
• Safety: Built on a strong platform, offers 6 airbags and a host of active safety features.
• Comfortable Ride: The suspension is well-tuned for a comfortable ride over most surfaces.
• Low Running Costs: Being an EV, it is significantly cheaper to run per kilometer compared to petrol cars.
• Tata's EV Ecosystem: Benefits from Tata's expanding EV charging network and service support.

Cons

• Price: As a premium EV offering, its top variant price might be on the higher side for some budget buyers.
• Rear Seat Width: While comfortable for two adults, fitting three adults in the rear might be a bit snug on longer journeys.
• Charging Infrastructure: While improving, public charging infrastructure is still not as widespread as petrol pumps, especially on highways.
• Boot Lip: The boot has a slightly high loading lip, which can make loading heavy luggage a bit difficult.

Conclusion

The Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR truly stands out as a strong contender in the Indian electric vehicle market. It brings together Tata's proven EV technology, a long range, a host of segment-first features, and a robust SUV design. For those looking for a feature-rich, safe, and relatively long-range electric compact SUV for daily commutes and occasional highway trips, the Punch EV Empowered Plus LR makes a very compelling case.

It is a well-rounded package that promises low running costs and a modern driving experience. If your priorities align with safety, advanced features, and sustainable mobility, the Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR is definitely worth a closer look and a test drive. It truly empowers your daily drive with electric power!