Tata Motors is all set to expand its range of CNG-powered cars with the highly anticipated Tata Punch iCNG. As the excitement builds for its official launch, automotive enthusiasts were in for a treat as the upcoming Tata Punch iCNG was recently spotted in the real world before its official debut. A video of this sighting surfaced on YouTube, showcasing the car’s impressive features and design cues.
The eagerly awaited Tata Punch iCNG made an unexpected appearance in a recent video shared on a popular YouTube channel, Marathi Car News. The presenter stumbled upon the car while cruising the roads and couldn’t resist the opportunity to get a detailed glimpse of this exciting offering from Tata Motors. In the video, the presenter highlights the commencement of production at Tata’s manufacturing plant, confirming that the launch is imminent. The Tata Punch iCNG was also seen adorned with two CNG stickers on both the front and rear windshields, signaling its clean and eco-friendly credentials.
The presenter delves further into the visual details of the upcoming Tata Punch iCNG. The rear trunk lid showcases the ‘iCNG’ badging on the right side, making it easily identifiable from its petrol-powered counterpart. He added that apart from the badging, there was no change to the overall design of the Punch iCNG. He then stated that he opened the boot and found the same twin cylinder technology in the car as its hatchback counterpart, the Altroz iCNG.
The Twin Cylinder technology incorporated into the Tata Punch iCNG is a game-changer in the realm of CNG-powered vehicles. This revolutionary system includes two CNG cylinders, each boasting a capacity of 30 liters. The real engineering marvel lies in their placement beneath the car’s boot compartment floor, efficiently utilizing space that was previously compromised by a single large CNG tank.
The practicality of this innovative arrangement allows the Tata Punch iCNG to offer a generous and usable boot space, which has often been a concern in traditional CNG-powered cars. The engineers at Tata have worked diligently to ensure that this new technology does not compromise on luggage space while promoting a cleaner and greener driving experience.
In addition to the Twin Cylinder setup, the Tata Punch iCNG will come equipped with a single advanced ECU (Engine Control Unit), facilitating a seamless transition between petrol and CNG mode without any jerks or disruptions. Notably, the car offers the convenience of directly starting in CNG mode, a feature that sets it apart from its competitors in the market. Furthermore, safety features in the Tata Punch iCNG include thermal incident protection, gas leak detection, and a micro switch that automatically turns off the car during refueling, ensuring the utmost safety for its occupants.
Under the bonnet, the CNG variant of the Tata Punch will be powered by the 1.2-litre three-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine found in the micro-SUV. In CNG mode, the Punch is expected to deliver 77 bhp of power and 97 Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard.
Additionally, apart from the sunroof, the new Punch CNG will retain the features from its petrol-powered version, including the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 7-inch TFT MID in the instrument console, automatic climate control, push start-stop button, and multi-functional steering wheel.
In the market, the Tata Punch CNG will face competition from the all-new Hyundai Exter CNG, which was recently launched as a direct rival to the Punch and Citroen C3. Additionally, the Punch CNG will also rival similarly-priced CNG-powered hatchbacks like the Maruti Suzuki Swift and Baleno, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, and Tata’s own Altroz.
