TATA SUV Delivers Quite The Punch

Tata’s Punch has been described as a product with ‘the agility of a hatchback and the DNA of an SUV’. The new ‘sub-compact SUV’ plugs the dimensions and section hole between the Tiago NRG cross-hatchback and Nexon compact SUV.

The Punch is a front-wheel drive-only mannequin however is designed to tackle the worst of Indian roads. It has been conceived as an SUV from the bottom up and will get the SUV household look, with the flat concave bonnet and split-headlamp structure establishing sturdy household ties with the bigger Harrier and Safari. The gloss black grille is an enclosed panel with a tri-arrow-shaped opening for the horn behind.

The Punch has a purposeful stance, and whereas the 16-inch diamond-cut alloys are enticing, they don’t fairly fill out the huge squared-out wheel wells. The thick facet cladding, black pillars and roof break the monotone, and just like the Altroz, the rear door handles are tucked within the C-pillar.

Some may discover the rear design a bit tame compared to the aggressive entrance, however the cool-looking tail-lamps with tri-arrow LED parts assist the Punch stand out. Like different Tatas, the Punch additionally sports activities some enjoyable Easter eggs so that you can uncover, just like the one-horned rhinoceros’ motif on the rear windscreen and glovebox.

Compared to different compact SUVs, the Punch is smaller in dimension and has the identical footprint as one thing like a Maruti Swift. However, its peak is on par with a Tata Nexon and the excessive roof and upright pillars do assist with that SUV-like look.

The contemporary and youthful exteriors are complemented by an equally trendy and exuberant inside. The layered dashboard design is pleasant to take a look at; the contrasting white panels, textured plastics and different supplies not solely look interesting, but additionally really feel fairly upmarket. The free-standing touchscreen, local weather management buttons, steering, in addition to the part-digital instrument cluster are shared with the Altroz premium hatchback.

Ingress and egress are a breeze with the 90-degree-opening doorways and high-set seating. The entrance seats are good, though the cushioning is a bit agency and thigh help is proscribed for taller occupants. What is good is that these seats could be jacked up to fit your necessities, whereas the low window line provide good visibility. The reversing digital camera with adaptive tips makes life simpler whereas parking.

Despite its compact dimension, rear seat house is similar to the pricier Kia Sonet by way of knee and shoulder room. There is sufficient house for 2 six-footers to take a seat one behind the opposite, and what provides to consolation is the house beneath the entrance seats to tuck their toes. Rear headroom is in sufficient provide for all however the tallest of occupants. A flat ground does add to the consolation of an occasional third passenger, nonetheless, the automobile’s slim width makes seating three abreast a good squeeze. There is not any rear air-con vent both.

While its 7.0-inch touchscreen is feature-packed with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a crisp six-speaker Harman system, in addition to (optionally available) related automobile options, its contact interface and its responsiveness might have been slicker. Other gear that the top-spec Punch packs in are automated projector headlamps, LED DRLs, rain-sensing wipers, cruise management, electrical folding mirrors, local weather management, cooled glovebox, rear wiper and washer, 16-inch alloys, fog lamps with cornering perform, and a safety alarm, to call a couple of.

There are considerable storage areas, too, with cupholders dotted across the cabin, an enormous glovebox and bottle holders in all doorways. At 319-litres (366-litres if measured until the roof), the Punch’s boot is nearly the identical dimension as that of a Maruti Brezza’s, and homeowners additionally get the flexibleness to fold down the rear seat.

The Punch makes use of the identical 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine because the Tiago, Tigor and Altroz, however the engine has been modified for this software. Tata has reworked the air consumption with a ram-air system, aiming to boost drivability. The engine makes a modest 86hp and 113Nm of torque, however issue within the Punch’s 1,035kg kerb weight and the output comes throughout as greater than cheap.

Enhancements to the engine and the change to BS6 emission requirements have resulted in a smoother energy supply, and usually the unit feels nicer than in its older iterations. It is kind of {smooth}, though it nonetheless isn’t as refined or vibe-free as Maruti’s Okay-series engines. The engine sounds grainy and there’s a little bit of three-cylinder thrum too, however to be honest, it solely will get actually vocal over 4,000rpm.

What is good is that the engine performs its each day duties with relative ease and its quick gearing (first and second) makes it fairly user-friendly, so it effortlessly closes gaps in visitors. Adopt a sedate driving type and it’ll carry out the occasional freeway duties satisfactorily. But demand for brisk efficiency and the engine feels out of its consolation zone. Quick overtaking manoeuvres will warrant cautious planning and dealing the gearbox to make progress. The 5-speed handbook is kind of effort-free in its operation, however shifts aren’t butter-smooth as some rivals. Thankfully, its clutch is mild and straightforward to function.

The handbook iteration is provided with an engine start-stop characteristic which, so as to save gas whereas idling, switches off the engine when the automobile involves a halt. This system is gradual to reply, therefore you will have to depress the clutch and look ahead to the engine to restart earlier than partaking a gear, else the system will get confused and the engine stays off.

The different transmission possibility is the Marelli-sourced 5-speed automated handbook transmission (AMT), which feels much more refined. The gearbox performs with relative smoothness, so far as AMTs go, and pauses between gearshifts are fairly nicely contained. The creep perform is a bit keen however is simple to get accustomed to, and it’s notably helpful in stop-go visitors.

The Punch AMT is finest pushed in an unhurried method. The gearbox tends to upshift to the best gear on the earliest (within the curiosity of gas financial system) and will get caught out by erratic throttle responses, leading to annoying pauses whereas the transmission decides whether or not to shift to a decrease gear.

Another peculiarity is that whereas steadily slowing down from fourth gear, it often continues rolling on the similar velocity and feels just like the automobile is ‘running away’, thus compelling you to depress the brake pedal even more durable to manage its deceleration. The tiptronic mode does give extra handbook management, although even right here the gearbox tends to upshift routinely.

The Punch’s trip and dealing with stability are spot on. There is an underlying toughness to its suspension, which shines whereas tackling tough and unhealthy sections of street. It flattens the street like a a lot heavier automobile and its stability at excessive speeds is great. The steering of the Punch is mild, constant and correct, however not overtly sharp just like the Altroz. Its taut construction, mild kerb weight and fantastic steering really feel make it fairly pleasant round corners.

While driving fans might be left eager for stronger engine efficiency, a majority of homeowners might be glad with its total packaging. Its brakes really feel pure and progressive, and its braking efficiency evokes confidence.

Unique to the AMT model of the Punch is a Traction Pro mode, which basically detects entrance wheel slippage and asks for permission to activate through a immediate on the touchscreen. Once permission is granted, the driving force must press the brake and accelerator pedal on the similar time, and the system will intelligently apply the brake to the wheel that has low or no traction, whereas the one with traction simply pulls the automobile out of the sticky scenario.

While the Punch is extra succesful than different hatchbacks at this value, it’s nonetheless a front-wheel-drive automobile, and therefore, it should not be subjected to situations meant for four-wheel-drive autos.

A hatchback with SUV pretensions isn’t uncommon immediately, however the Tata Punch differentiates itself from the tribe with a few of the attributes you’d truly affiliate with the SUV physique type. It has bought the elevated seating and ample floor clearance you’d count on, but additionally boasts of a reasonably powerful construct and talent in difficult situations.

In different areas too, the Tata has so much going for it — it’s trendy on the skin, cheerful on the within, packs in sufficient house and practicality, in addition to an affordable gear record. Engine efficiency isn’t thrilling, and its AMT gearbox might have been a bit extra intuitive, however these are more likely to meet the necessities of a majority of consumers.

And if Tata delivers on the anticipated value of ₹ 5.5 to eight lakh, the Punch, as a bundle, actually punches above its weight and serves as a worthy, worth for cash different to hatchbacks such because the Maruti Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, in addition to non-turbo compact SUVs equivalent to Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet.