Tata Punch Smart CNG

Buying a new car in India is a big decision, isn't it? You're probably thinking about so many things: your budget, how safe the car will be for your family, what the monthly fuel and maintenance costs look like, if it has all the latest features you want, and of course, how good the company's service network is. Well, what if we told you there's a car that ticks most, if not all, of these boxes with flying colours? We're talking about the new Tata Punch Smart CNG – a micro-SUV that's quickly becoming a favourite among Indian car buyers.

The Tata Punch has already made a name for itself with its bold design and segment-leading safety. Now, with the addition of the innovative Smart CNG technology, it promises even lower running costs without compromising much on practicality. Let's dive deep and see what makes this car a smart choice.

Engine Specifications

Under the hood, the Tata Punch Smart CNG features Tata's proven 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine, which is a 3-cylinder unit. This engine is designed to offer a good balance of power and fuel efficiency.

• Engine Type: 1.2L Revotron Bi-Fuel (Petrol & CNG)
• Cylinders: 3-cylinder
• Max Power (Petrol): 88 PS @ 6000 rpm
• Max Torque (Petrol): 115 Nm @ 3250 rpm
• Max Power (CNG): 73.5 PS @ 6000 rpm
• Max Torque (CNG): 103 Nm @ 3250 rpm
• Transmission: 5-speed Manual

Design Overview

Exterior

The Tata Punch Smart CNG retains the robust, muscular styling of its petrol counterpart. It genuinely looks like a much larger SUV, giving it excellent road presence for its segment. Key exterior highlights include:

• Aggressive front fascia with a split headlamp design.
• Projector headlamps with sleek LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs).
• Bold cladding all around, giving it a tough, off-roader appeal.
• Dual-tone alloy wheels (on higher variants) and dual-tone roof options.
• High ground clearance adding to its SUV stance.

Interior

Step inside, and the Tata Punch Smart CNG greets you with a practical yet appealing cabin. The layout is clean and user-friendly, with good quality materials for its price point.

• Dual-tone interior theme (depending on variant) for a premium feel.
• Well-bolstered seats offering decent comfort for long drives.
• Flat-bottom steering wheel with mounted controls for convenience.
• Plenty of storage spaces around the cabin.
• Digital-analog instrument cluster providing all necessary information.

Key Features

The Tata Punch Smart CNG is loaded with features, making it a comfortable and connected ride. Here are some of the notable ones:

• Electric Sunroof: A much-requested feature, now available to enhance your driving experience.
• 7-inch Infotainment System: By Harman, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
• Voice Assist: For seamless control over various functions.
• Automatic Climate Control: To keep the cabin comfortable in all weather conditions.
• Wireless Charger: For hassle-free smartphone charging on the go.
• 360-degree Surround View System: Makes parking in tight spots a breeze.
• Projector Headlamps with LED DRLs.
• Rain-sensing Wipers and Automatic Headlamps.
• Cruise Control for relaxed highway driving.
• iCNG Twin-Cylinder Technology: This is the star feature, placing two smaller CNG cylinders under the boot floor to free up luggage space.

What is the Ground Clearance of Tata Punch Smart CNG?

The Tata Punch Smart CNG boasts an impressive ground clearance of 187 mm, which is excellent for navigating Indian roads, speed breakers, and uneven terrains without worry.

What is the Boot Space of Tata Punch Smart CNG?

One of the biggest advantages of the Tata Punch Smart CNG, thanks to its innovative twin-cylinder technology, is its boot space. It offers a practical 210 litres of boot space with the CNG tanks integrated cleverly. For comparison, the petrol Punch offers 366 litres.

What are the Dimensions of Tata Punch Smart CNG?

• Length: 3827 mm
• Width: 1742 mm
• Height: 1615 mm

Powertrain Options

The Tata Punch Smart CNG is exclusively available with the 1.2-litre Revotron Bi-Fuel engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. It allows for seamless switching between petrol and CNG modes, even on the fly.

Safety Features

Safety is a cornerstone of Tata Motors, and the Punch Smart CNG is no exception. It comes packed with essential safety features:

• Dual Front Airbags
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Brake Sway Control
• Cornering Stability Control
• Puncture Repair Kit
• Rear Parking Sensors with Camera
• ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts
• Follow Me Home Headlamps

NCAP Rating Table

The Tata Punch is renowned for its safety, earning high marks in crash tests.

Rating Type	Adult Occupant	Child Occupant
Global NCAP	5 Stars	4 Stars
Bharat NCAP	Not Rated (Yet)	Not Rated (Yet)

Note: The 5-star Global NCAP rating was awarded to the petrol variant of the Tata Punch. The platform's inherent safety structure provides strong reassurance for the CNG variant as well.

Rivals of Tata Punch Smart CNG

In the highly competitive Indian market, the Tata Punch Smart CNG faces off against several popular models:

• Hyundai Exter CNG
• Maruti Suzuki Swift CNG
• Maruti Suzuki WagonR CNG
• Tata Tiago NRG CNG (its sibling from Tata Motors)

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Let's sum up the advantages and disadvantages to help you make an informed decision about the Tata Punch Smart CNG.

Pros:

• Excellent Fuel Efficiency: CNG ensures significantly lower running costs, making it very economical for daily commutes.
• Top-notch Safety: A 5-star GNCAP rating provides immense peace of mind for you and your family.
• Innovative Twin-Cylinder CNG: This is a game-changer, offering usable boot space, unlike traditional single-cylinder CNG cars.
• Feature-Rich Cabin: With an electric sunroof, wireless charging, 360-degree camera, and more, it offers a premium experience.
• Robust Build and SUV Stance: Looks tough, handles rough roads well, and has great road presence.
• Comfortable Ride Quality: The suspension is tuned well for Indian road conditions, offering a pliant ride.
• Widespread Service Network: Tata Motors has a vast service network across India, ensuring good after-sales support.

Cons:

• 3-Cylinder Engine Performance: While adequate for city driving, the 1.2L 3-cylinder engine might feel less refined and slightly underpowered compared to some 4-cylinder rivals, especially in CNG mode with a full load.
• Manual Transmission Only for CNG: There's no automatic (AMT) option for the CNG variant, which might be a deal-breaker for some urban buyers.
• Price: The top-end Smart CNG variants, with all the features, can be a bit pricey, though still offering good value.
• CNG Refuelling Time: Filling up CNG tanks can take longer than petrol, and station availability might be a concern in some regions.

Conclusion

The Tata Punch Smart CNG truly stands out as a compelling package for Indian car buyers. It successfully merges the appealing micro-SUV design and robust safety of the Punch with the incredible cost-effectiveness of CNG, all while addressing the common concern of lost boot space thanks to its clever twin-cylinder technology.

If you're looking for a safe, stylish, and supremely fuel-efficient car that doesn't compromise on features or practicality for your daily commutes and occasional highway trips, the Tata Punch Smart CNG deserves a very serious look. It's a smart, practical, and future-ready choice for the discerning Indian family. We highly recommend taking it for a test drive to experience its capabilities firsthand!