2021 Tata Punch to be unveiled on October 4
Tata Motors is set to unveil its newest offering, the Tata Punch, in India on October 4. The Tata Punch is a crossover that sits below the Tata Nexon in the brand's range and shares its ALFA underpinnings with the Altroz hatchbacks. Expect bookings for the Punch to start post the unveiling with a launch to follow later in the same month.
Already known is that the Tata Punch features another interpretation of the split-headlamp look with a squarer set of headlamps, as previewed by the near-production Tata HBX concept at the 2020 Auto Expo. There is an ornamental gloss black panel between the DRLs and a larger grille between the headlamps finished in a crisscrossed pattern. The Punch will feature a set of dual-tone alloy wheels on higher trims. In profile the slightly sloping roofline and a rising window-line that ends in a heavily styled C-pillar are noticeable.
The rear section of the Tata Punch carries on with the Harrier-inspired look of the rest of the SUV. So there is a similarly rakish rear windscreen that extends from the thick C-pillar and a sculpted boot lid. The distinct squarish tail lamps with the tri-arrow LED motifs are seen here from the concept while a substantial bumper with some unique boxed reflectors are other touches.
2021 Tata Punch interiors, features
The dashboard of the Tata Punch carries an upright, blocky look to it with the production-spec crossover getting a two-tone grey and ivory theme, unlike the all-black version seen on the concept. The top half carries the distinct, squarish air vents with blue highlighting. The Punch shares its ALFA architecture with the Altroz and unsurprisingly many of the hatchback's interior fitments have been carried over here. This is seen with the semi-digital instrumentation, the steering wheel as well as the bank of climate control switches. The Punch gets the new 7.0-inch Harman infotainment touchscreen with no physical controls. The off-road themed additions like the faux tied-down straps and a compass seem to have been dropped.
The feature set should be quite similar to the Altroz hatchback too. Expect to see climate control, cruise control, connected tech, leatherette seats, keyless entry and start and drive modes among other things.
2021 Tata Punch engine, gearbox
The Punch is expected to be powered by the same 1.2-litre petrol engine as seen on the Altroz. This makes with 86PS at 6,000rpm and 113 Nm at 3,300rpm. This is expected to be paired with a 5-speed manual and an AMT. The Altroz's turbo-petrol motor may find its way here too, the 1.2-litre unit making 110PSand 140 Nm and paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Mileage figures for the Punch should be around the ballpark of the hatchback too.
2021 Tata Punch expected price, launch dateThe Tata Punch will compete against rivals such as the Mahindra KUV100 and the Maruti Suzuki Ignis. It is expected to be priced from around Rs 5 lakh when it launches. The Punch was expected to debut by 2020 but Tata Motors seems to have had to defer its launch in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and semiconductor shortages. We now expect to see the HBX on our roads by the festive season.
Also read,
2021 Tata Punch mini SUV interiors officially revealed ahead of launch
Comparison review: Hyundai Alcazar vs Tata Safari
2021 Tata Altroz iTurbo road test review
Tata Motors unveils its first SUV on the ALFA architecture and has named it 'Punch'