Tata Punch SUV Crosses 3 Lakh Unit Production Mark in India

Tata Motors has rolled out the 3,00,000th unit of the Punch SUV from its manufacturing plant in Pune, Maharashtra. The car in question is the higher variant of the Punch, featuring Tornado Blue-White dual-tone colour. Tata launched the micro-SUV in India in October 2021, and within 10 months after its launch, the Punch crossed the 1 lakh unit production mark. Meanwhile, the 2,00,000-unit production milestone came in May 2023, just 20 months after the car was launched. Currently, the Tata Punch is offered in 4 different trim levels – Pure, Adventure, Accomplished, and Creative, with prices ranging from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 9.50 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Also Read: Upcoming Tata Motors Cars in India: Curvv, Altroz Racer and More

Under the hood, the Tata Punch is powered by a 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine that makes 86.63bhp at 6,000rpm and 115Nm of peak torque at 3,250rpm. This engine comes paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic option. In CNG mode, the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine cranks out 72bhp and 103Nm of torque. The CNG variants come only with a 5-speed manual transmission. Like the Altroz CNG, the Punch CNG offers a dual-cylinder setup tucked under the boot floor. 

Tata Punch: Features

Features-wise, the Tata Punch comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, a 7.0-inch part-digital instrument cluster (only available in the Creative trim), Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, 16-inch alloy wheels, auto headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, Harman speakers, a sunroof, and Traction Pro. 

Seeing growing competition from the Hyundai Exter, the Tata Punch could soon get a digital instrument cluster across all its variants. Market reports suggest that all trims of the Punch, save for the Creative, will be available with a 4.0-inch digital screen. The top-spec Creative trim, on the other hand, can be had with the same semi-digital instrument cluster seen previously in the Harrier and Safari pre-facelifts. 

In terms of market rivalry, the Tata Punch is squarely aimed at the Hyundai Exter, which is priced from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 9.06 lakh (ex-showroom). Apart from the Hyundai Exter, the Tata Punch rivals the likes of the Nissan Magnite, the Mahindra KUV100, the Renault Kiger, and others.

Tata Punch EV to Arrive This Year

The Tata Punch EV, expected to hit Indian roads by early 2024, will be differentiated from its ICE counterpart by EV-specific design elements, like a front bumper integrated with a charging port and a closed-off grille. Other bits will include LED headlamp clusters, a sunroof, new alloy wheels, and all-wheel discs.  

Like the new Nexon, the Punch EV could get a 10.25-inch floating infotainment system and a two-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated logo. Though Tata has yet to disclose technical details, the Punch EV could come with multiple battery options, offering a range of 200km to 300km on a single charge. 

Also Read: Nexon EV, Harrier, Altroz and More Help Tata Motors Register 8% Sales Growth in December 2023

Expect the car to be priced in the range of Rs 12 lakh to Rs 14 lakh (ex-showroom). Upon launch, it will compete against the Citroen eC3 and the Hyundai Exter.