Tata Motors has finally unveiled the Punch, its latest sub-compact SUV based on the ALFA-Arc platform. Bookings are open at the token amount of Rs 21,000 and here is a quick but detailed guide about all of the variants (or as Tata calls them, Personas) to help you decide which one to go for if you are planning to book a Tata Punch for yourself.
First things first, let’s just list out all things common across the Punch lineup. For starters, it is available with Tata’s 1.2 Revotron Petrol nat-asp engine that produces 85bhp at 6000rpm and 113Nm at 3300rpm. This engine can be mated with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic ’box delivering power to the front wheels. As for the brakes, there are discs on the front and drums for the rear wheels, and the suspension setup is also the same for all variants.
The Punch is available in four variants called Pure, Adventure, Accomplish and Creative. There are also customisation packs for some variants, which allow you to add key equipment from the variant above without moving up a full variant. Let’s start with what will be the most affordable variant of the lot first.
This is the base variant of the Punch. It only has basic features like front power windows, central locking, and tilt power steering when it comes to creature comforts. But in terms of safety, it has dual airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, ABS, and EBD. For driver aids, it has RPAS (Tata’s version of park assist), electronic steering stability, and brake sway control, which is said to keep the car in control under sudden braking.
It is available in two colours called Orcus White and Daytona Grey, and you can further personalise it by adding the Rhythm Pack. This will add a 4-inch infotainment screen, four speakers and steering mounted audio controls, which are standard on the next variant.
The Adventure Persona moves things one rung up in the ladder. It has a floating 4-inch infotainment screen, steering mounted controls, four speakers, and a USB charger. The ORVMs are electrically controlled as are all four windows. Moreover, there is a follow me home headlights feature, anti-glare IRVM and remote locking.
The exterior of the Adventure persona gets body-coloured ORVMs, door handles and it also gets wheel covers. Over the colour options of the Pure variant, it gets two more colours namely Tropical Mist and Atomic Orange. This variant can also be personalised with the Rhythm Pack that will add a 7-inch Harman infotainment system with smartphone integration by Android Auto and Apple CarPLlay, two tweeters to enhance the music experience, and a rearview camera.
The Accomplished Persona gets everything present in the Adventure variant kitted with Rhythm Pack plus it gets LED tail lamps, front fog lamps, 15-inch wheels and push-button start-stop. It also gets cruise control, one touch down driver window, and seat height-adjustable driver’s seat. The AMT version will have a feature called Traction Pro, which basically sense wheel slip in a slushy situation and use the brakes to ensure that the wheel with traction is the one that gets power.
The Accomplished persona has five colour variants on offer with the addition of Meteor Bronze from the colour palette. Personalization options come courtesy of the Dazzle Pack which adds 16-inch alloy wheels, projector headlamps with LED DRLs and a blacked-out A-pillar.
This is the fully equipped Tata Punch in the lineup. Over and above the Accomplished variant kitted with the Dazzle Pack, it gets roof rails, rear wiper with washer, puddle lamps, auto headlamps, automatically foldable ORVMs, and rain-sensing front wipers. On the inside, it has a leather steering and gear knob, a fully automatic climate control feature, a cooled glovebox, a rear defogger, and a rear-seat armrest.
With the addition of two more colours called Tornado Blue and Calypso Red, it is available in all seven colour options, albeit only in dual-tone schemes. A myriad of features can be added to the Punch with the iRA Connect Car. Opt for that and you will get features like navigation, valet mode, weather updates, intrusion alert, high-speed alert, geo-tracking, panic notification, and remote engine immobilization.
The Tata Punch is the newest and the smallest SUV from Tata Motors, which is looking to draw on its SUV-building strengths seen in the Harrier and Safari, and pack it in a smaller, more affordable package. We do not have prices just yet, but expect the starting prices of the Punch to significantly undercut the Nexon’s. The launch is set for October 20, so stay tuned for updates!