Tata Punch bookings to officially open on 4 October, launch of mini-SUV to take place closer to Diwali- Technology News, Firstpost

tech2 News StaffOct 01, 2021 10:14:05 IST

As it readies for the launch, Tata Motors has announced it will open bookings for the newest and smallest SUV in its range, the Tata Punch, on 4 October, which is also the day when it will fully unveil the latest entrant in its portfolio. In a series of new teasers, Tata has confirmed the date for the start of bookings for the Punch, and also revealed it will come with doors that open up to 90 degrees – like seen on the Tata Altroz hatchback – to ease ingress and egress for passengers.

Showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo as the close-to-production H2X Concept, the Punch is the second Tata model after the Altroz to be based on the company’s new-age ALFA architecture. The Punch will be the most affordable SUV from Tata Motors and will slot in below the Nexon in the company’s SUV range.

The Tata Punch carries over the H2X concept’s upright stance, beefy front end and muscular wheel arches – elements that will surely attract the SUV-loving crowd. A few teasers shared online in the last few days also confirm the Punch will retain some of the styling cues seen on the H2X concept, including its funky tail-lights.

Just like the outside, the Tata Punch mirrors the H2X concept on the inside, leaving out some of the concept car elements. The dashboard of the Punch has an upright, blocky look, sporting a two-tone grey and ivory theme. Many elements inside the Punch have been carried over from the Altroz, including its part-digital instrument cluster, steering wheel and climate control switches. Also borrowed from the Altroz is the floating 7.0-inch Harman touchscreen infotainment system.

While the Tata Punch is expected to only be offered in petrol form, it’s likely to have both the 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated engine option (as seen in the Tiago, Tigor and Altroz) as well as the turbocharged engine option (as seen in the Altroz). Gearbox options for the Tata HBX will likely include a five-speed manual and an automated manual transmission. There won’t be a diesel option, but Tata is understood to be developing an all-electric version of the Punch for the future.

For now, the Tata Punch is unlikely to have any direct rivals, and the models that come closest to it are the Maruti Suzuki Ignis and the long-forgotten Mahindra KUV100. That said, Hyundai is developing a mini-SUV of its own (codename AX1), which is set to arrive in India next year. Expect Tata Punch prices to be in the range of Rs 5 – 7.5 lakh (ex-showroom).