More stories

  • in

    Tata Sanand Plant To Start EV Production Soon – Curvv, Harrier, Safari EVs Spied Together

    Along with Harrier EV, Tata is also planning the launch of Curvv EV and Safari EVTata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, a unit of Tata Motors, had acquired this Sanand facility from Ford India in January 2023Tata Motors, with an extensive range of electric vehicles in its portfolio, is planning to commence production from its new Sanand plant from April 2024. This plant was acquired from Ford India early last year and it is from this manufacturing unit that Tata Motors also produces the ICE versions of Nexon.Tata to make EVs at Sanand PlantThe Sanand plant which has been acquired from Ford India at Rs 725.7 crore, has a current capacity of 3 lakh units per annum though production capacity can be extended to 4.2 lakh units. Even as the company has announced that production of the Nexon EV will soon commence, Tata Motors also plans launch of the Curvv EV and Harrier EV, all of which will be produced from the same plant.[embedded content]There is also the Safari EV in the making. All three of these new EV SUVs were spied together recently in Pune. Targeting a 5 percent growth in the passenger vehicle segment, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles MD Shailesh Chandra revealed the timeline for launch of the Curvv EV and Harrier EV. The Curvv EV is planned for launch in Q3/Q4 of CY 2024 while later this year the company will also launch the Harrier EV.Earlier this week the company introduced Punch.ev. It comes in at a competitive pricing of Rs 10.99 lakh to Rs 14.49 lakh, ex-showroom and booking open at Rs 21,000. It competes with the Citroen eC3 and upcoming Hyundai Exter EV and Kia Clavis. Punch.ev is being offered with two battery packs. The standard model gets a 25-kWh battery pack offering a 315 km range while the Long Range (LR) variant sports a larger 35 kWh battery pack with a 421 km range.Tata Safari EV spied in PuneTata Curvv has been spied on test and prices are likely to be announced by June 2024. It enters the compact SUV space and will have both ICE and electric powertrains. The ICE variant will take on the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos along with the Maruti Grand Vitara while the electric version of Curvv will compete with the upcoming Creta EV, Maruti eVX and Mahindra BE.05.Tata Harrier EV spied in PuneTata Harrier EV, Safari EV Design Patent LeakedTata Harrier and Safari EVs will be the company’s flagship electric vehicle. Design leaks show off a more futuristic design with extensive exterior updates along with a host of interior features. These include a twin spoke steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, touch based HVAC system, a 360 degree camera and ADAS. Cabin comforts also extend to automatic climate controls, wireless charging, ventilated seating in the front and ambient lighting.Tata Harrier EV and Safari EV will be positioned on the company’s Gen II EV architecture, an improvement over the Gen I platform seen on the Nexon EV. It will likely draw its power via a 60 kWh to 80 kWh battery pack to offer a range of around 500 kms on full charge. Expect prices to be in the Rs 25-35 lakh range upon launch. More

  • in

    Tata Punch EV First Drive Review – The Star, Reborn!

    Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewThe new Acti.ev dedicated electric car platform debuts with Tata Punch EV and will be used with future Tata electric carsIndia is no stranger to Tata Motors. The company has been a staple automaker in India catering to a wide variety of customers ranging from PVs to CVs. But the company’s latest launch is one that is poised to be a trendsetter, a benchmark for vehicles to follow under the Rs. 15 lakh mark. Say Namaste to Punch.ev that is Tata Motors’ most ambitious launch in the recent past.Tata Punch EV – Perfect “Urban Vehicle”?Among the many first-ever titles within India and the world, Tata Motors has added a new title to its name as it launched India’s first dedicated EV platform in the form of Acti.ev, debuting with Punch.ev. Tata Punch EV has been priced between Rs. 10.99 lakh and Rs. 14.49 lakh (ex-sh) and these are killer prices considering everything Punch EV packs.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewTata Motors product team explained how the company threw stereotypes of segment-wise features out of the window and aimed to nail a perfect Urban runabout vehicle. In that regard, we can see a lot of components that Punch EV (marketed as Punch.ev) shares with much pricier and premium siblings like Nexon, Harrier and Safari. Even design language is shared with these pricier siblings to establish a family DNA that is distinctly and impactfully, a Tata.Exterior design changesFascia is all new and gets sleek connected LED DRLs with sequential LED turn indicators. The center LED light bar incorporates welcome and goodbye animations along with battery charging status when plugged in. Headlights are LEDs housed in projectors, accompanied by LED projector fog lights with a cornering function.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewFront charging port Is a first for Tata and is possible due to the Acti.ev dedicated electric platform. This unlocks charging convenience, something that can’t be said about Nexon.ev with a charging socket at rear left quarter panel. The charging cap opens electrically too, which is a nice touch. Closed-off grill and air vents in lower bumper to cool brake rotors are other notable elements.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewSide and rear are identical to regular Tata Punch with an IC engine, except for the new 16-inch alloy wheels with Punch EV. These wheels are wrapped with low rolling resistance tyres from Apollo. Tata is providing all four disc brakes with Punch EV due to added performance from its electric powertrain.New-age interiorsFuturistic and prominent exteriors are perfectly complemented by the interiors with cutting-edge gadgetry that is shared with more premium Tata products. Dashboard layout is identical to its ICE counterpart along with door panels. But the overall ambience has lifted several notches with all the new elements that Punch EV now gets.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewWe’re talking about a fluidly fast and crisp 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.2-inch instrument screen that grabs all the attention. New leather-wrapped steering wheel is shared with Nexon facelift and gets illuminated Tata logo. Centre console is all new too and features a new touch and toggle style climate control panel. Further down, we get a rotary gear selector with an integrated circular display. This is where you find the Sports and Eco driving mode buttons along with an electronic parking brake with auto hold button.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewNew infotainment screen supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with 360° camera feed and Arcade.ev app suite. It currently offers a few OTT and video streaming services to watch when the car is standing still or moving at a tortoise pace. For safety reasons, of course. Tata promises that this is an evolving platform that will host more functionalities with OTA updates. Punch EV offers Jio Saavn audio streaming too, with a 1 year subscription. The Harman-branded music system could have offered more bass with a dedicated subwoofer.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewThe new instrument screen is not only a digital TFT unit, it is fully configurable too. Offering functionalities that cars of rival brands from two segments above, don’t offer. It shows all the vehicular data including range, speed, drive modes, regen modes, TPMS data, trip data, blind spot assist and many more. The most impressive functionality has to be full-screen navigation on instrument cluster for a driver-friendly approach.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewOther notable features on the inside include good quality leatherette upholstery with front ventilated seats. Despite the fact that all equipment and features on Punch EV are designed to pamper front seat occupants, Acti.ev dedicated electric platform has unlocked more room for rear passengers. Kudos to Tata Motors for offering a sunroof as an optional extra for additional Rs. 50K, something that other manufacturers should probably take note of.Powertrain, specs and dynamicsTata’s new Acti.ev platform on Punch EV is offered in two versions – Standard Punch EV and Punch EV LR (Long Range). Standard Punch EV gets a 25 kWh battery pack powering an 80.5 bhp and 114 Nm electric motor and claims 13.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 315 km range on a single charge. LR model packs a larger 35 kWh battery pack powering a 120.7 bhp and 190 Nm electric motor and claims 9.5 seconds 0-100 km/h, 140 km/h top speed and 421 km range on a single charge.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewCar reviews these days are all about the features and gadgetry with very little mention of car’s actual dynamics. Since Tata Punch EV is debuting the new Acti.ev dedicated electric car platform, I would like to talk more about car’s dynamics.Tata had arranged for a small off-road and handling course to demonstrate dynamic capabilities of Punch EV. Where Tata had arranged for multiple off-road scenarios including rock beds, step climbs, hill descent, water wading, inclined driving, dug potholes and more.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewPunch EV has an approach angle of 19°, departure angle of 28° and ramp over angle of 15.1° along with an unladen ground clearance of 190 mm. All of this ensured Punch EV cleared all these off-road obstacles with flying colours. The 360° camera feed on a large infotainment screen helps a lot in tackling tough terrains and urban jungles alike. What impressed me more than off-road behaviour was on-road behaviour. Looking at Punch’s tall-boy design, one wouldn’t usually associate it with good dynamics. But Punch EV with Tata’s new Acti.ev platform will surprise you, for sure.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewIt is not just that electric cars have heavy batteries on the floor taking centre of gravity lower. The Acti.ev dedicated electric platform is designed and developed to be significantly stiffer than non-dedicated platforms shared with ICE counterparts. Tata’s product team personnel who accompanied me on this dynamic testing, asked me to trust the car and push it as hard as I could around corners. And to my surprise, Punch EV donning Tata’s new Acti.ev platform handled exceptionally well for the price bracket. You can carry a lot of speed into a corner and Punch EV delivers with a surprising amount of composure.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewAdded performance and dynamics need extra stopping power and this is where rear disc brakes come into the limelight. If Tata Motors offered a RWD version of this car with a manual handbrake and called it Punch EV Racer, it would make for a tempting hot hatch proposition too. Steering wheel gets paddle shifters to cycle between the three regen modes. L3 offers the strongest regen, but it doesn’t stop the car completely. One pedal driving is under consideration, as revealed by Tata’s product team. We couldn’t draw opinions on range with this brief media event, though.Safety and other attributesTata is offering 6 airbags as standard fitment with Punch EV and the car now gets 3-point seatbelts for all occupants. Other safety attributes include all four disc brakes, TPMS, ESP and the likes. Where crash safety is concerned, Tata Punch EV doesn’t share the same 5 star crash rating as ICE Punch as it is an all new platform. Given that it is a Tata product, we expect nothing less than stellar crash performance by Punch EV.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewThere is very little to fault with Tata Punch EV. Whatever tiny little niggles we could find are easily forgivable considering Punch EV’s aggressive pricing. However, I would have liked it if the car’s rotary gear selector dial didn’t move when the car’s gearbox hadn’t shifted due to partial brake application at user/driver’s end. Traditional gear selector stalks for automatic vehicles don’t physically move when gearbox hasn’t shifted.Tata Punch EV First Drive ReviewA similar thing happened to me during the brief media drives where I slotted to D, from R with partial brake application. Gear selector dial rotated, but the gearbox didn’t shift to D because of the partial brake applied at my end. I thought the car would move forward. However, it moved backwards. This is not exactly the car’s fault and prospective buyers will get used to it in a day or two and then it feels like second nature.ConclusionMany of you must have witnessed a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. With Punch EV, Tata Motors is doing the impossible by pulling a hat out of a rabbit by offering a surprisingly well-packaged product at a jaw-dropping price point. If you’re buying any car across any segment within Rs. 15 lakh price bracket, we would highly recommend Tata Punch EV over most of the other offerings. It’s that good of a package. More

  • in

    Tata Punch EV Vs Citroen eC3 – Who Blows The Final Punch?

    Tata Punch EVWhen compared head-to-head, Tata Punch EV vs Citroen eC3 tables indicate a significant shift in favour of the formerIndia’s best-selling EV maker, Tata Motors, has added yet another vehicle to its already impressive lineup. We’re talking about the recently launched Tata Punch EV (marketed as Punch.ev). The car is poised to disrupt the market taking on any car (ICE or EV) of any segment within the Rs. 11 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh price bracket.Tata Punch EV Vs Citroen eC3Punch EV is launched in India recently starting from Rs. 10.99 lakh to Rs. 14.5 lakh (ex-sh). The car has all the qualities and potential to be a market disruptor. We’re not talking about only electric cars in India. We’re talking about both EV and ICE realms alike. Such is Punch EV’s expected uproar in popularity and demand.However, comparing apples to apples, Tata Punch’s primary rival is Citroen eC3 and to some extent, we can also compare it to Tiago EV, which is India’s current best-selling electric car. MG Comet is a 3-door (2 side doors and a tailgate) vehicle and comparing it to Punch EV makes very little sense.Punch EV is acing the rivals by offering more of everything. Tata is offering Punch EV in 5 trim levels. Or Personas, as Tata calls them. These are Smart, Smart+, Adventure, Empowered and Empowered+. Tata is cleverly offering a 7.2 kW AC charger and sunroof as optional extra each costing an additional Rs. 50,000.Tata Punch EV Vs Citroen eC3 Vs Tata Tiago EV – SpecsThe standard Punch EV gets a 25 kWh battery, while LR model gets a 35 kWh unit. Called Acti.ev, this is India’s first dedicated EV platform that is not shared with its ICE counterparts. With LR model, peak power is 120.7 bhp and peak torque is 190 Nm. Performance is properly zippy too, with Tata claiming 0-100 km/h in 9.5 seconds with LR model. Top speed is 140 km/h with Punch EV LR, which is higher than both the rivals.What makes Punch EV better?With added performance, Tata has also offered rear disc brakes with LR. Boot space is 366L, which is more than 315L of eC3 and 240L of Tiago EV. The claimed range with Standard Punch EV is 215 km on a single charge and 421 km with Punch EV LR. For context, Citroen eC3 claims 320 km and Tiago EV’s range maxes out at a claimed 315 km.All cars get CCS 2 standard charging socket. Owing to larger battery packs, Tata Punch EV’s charging time with AC chargers are slightly longer. With fast DC charger, Punch EV boasts the quickest 10-80% charge at 56 minutes. Punch EV has the biggest wheels at 16-inchers and fattest tyres at 195-section and ground clearance is highest too, at 190 mm.Tata Punch EV Vs Citroen eC3 Vs Tata Tiago EV – FeaturesBest-in-class interiorsWhere interiors and features are concerned, Punch EV blows the other two out of the water. Especially Citroen eC3 which doesn’t really offer all that much except for a 10.2-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In comparison, Tiago EV comes off as a significantly feature-rich product.But Punch EV emerges the champ with the fattest brochure among these three. Punch EV has ventilated seats, leatherette upholstery, new steering wheel from Nexon with illuminated logo, optional sunroof, auto headlights, auto wipers, projector LED headlights, TPMS, an air purifier, full-width LED DRLs with welcome and goodbye function, 360-degree camera with blindspot monitoring, fully configurable TFT instrument screen, mood lighting, cornering lights and a ton more features.Citroen eC3 Shine Trim Indonesia-specGiven the pricing between Rs. 10.99 lakh and Rs. 14.49 lakh (ex-sh), Punch EV easily justifies the added extra than Tiago EV’s pricing and makes a much stronger proposition where performance, range and features are concerned. The base price of Citroen eC3 looks higher, but it offers a sole 29.2 kWh battery pack.But Citroen eC3 absolutely takes the final blow from Tata Punch owing to lack-lustre features list, performance (on paper) and range (on paper). Citroen India should probably consider launching Shine trim with eC3 like it does in Indonesia. More

  • in

    Tata Punch EV Launched At Rs 10.99 Lakh To Rs 14.49 Lakh – Range 421 Kms

    Tata Punch EV LaunchedPunch.ev has set high benchmarks that will be a challenge for rival offerings such as Citroen eC3 and upcoming Hyundai Exter EVShowcasing its strong intent to dominate the EV segment, Tata has launched the all-new Punch EV at a competitive price point of Rs 10.99 lakh to Rs 14.49 lakh, ex-sh. Bookings are open for Rs 21,000. While boosting sales, Punch.ev will also help in faster adoption of electric cars. Punch EV provides all the right reasons for users to make the switch to electric.Punch EV – Based on Tata’s advanced born-electric platformEarlier electric Tata cars like Nexon EV and Tiago / Tigor EV are based on the same platform as their ICE counterparts. Punch EV is different, as it is based on a new born-electric EV architecture named ‘acti.ev’. The new platform offers significant improvements in terms of performance and available cabin space. Occupant safety is also enhanced, as the battery pack is tested as per advanced global standards.Tata Punch EV Price, range and specsPunch.ev is available with two battery pack options. The standard model is equipped with a 25-kWh battery pack. The Long Range (LR) variant has a larger 35 kWh battery pack. Range is 315 km for standard model and 421 km for the LR model – as per MIDC cycle. Punch EV has multi-mode Regen that will help increase real-world range. A total of 4 trims are on offer – Smart, Adventure, Empowered and Empowered+. Colour options include Fearless Red, Pristine White Dual Tone, Daytona Grey Dual Tone, Fearless Red Dual Tone, Seaweed Dual Tone and Empowered Oxide Dual Tone.Commenting on the launch of the Punch.ev, Mr. Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited & Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited. said, “Today marks a historic milestone in India’s EV journey as Tata.ev propels the nation into a new era of sustainable mobility with the launch of Punch.ev. Our unwavering mission to accelerate EV adoption has transformed the landscape, overcoming barriers with innovative solutions. From the launch of the game-changing Nexon.ev and Tiago.ev to our constant work of creating a robust charging infrastructure, we’ve reshaped perceptions. Now with the launch of the Punch.ev, an SUV that goes beyond every day, we are taking our commitment to an all-new level by delivering a versatile EV that aligns with the evolving customer needs. It aims to catapult the Indian EV market, and leapfrog India into an era of pure EVs.Tata Punch EV LaunchedWitnessing a 100-fold growth in four years, since inception, EVs are now mainstream. As a testament to Tata’s commitment to democratizing EVs, the Punch.ev is set to redefine standards, creating a paradigm shift beyond the needs of today and tomorrow. As we welcome a new era of e-mobility, the Punch.ev will surely emerge as a beacon of innovation and progress. With exclusive stores, collaborative charging initiatives, and a cutting-edge manufacturing ecosystem, we’re committed to shaping a future where sustainability, community, and technology converge.”Tata Punch EV LaunchedPunch EV – Styling and featuresPunch.ev is based on Tata’s new design language, as seen with the new Harrier and Safari and Nexon facelift. Some of the key highlights include triangular housing for the LED projector headlamps, connected DRLs with full-width lighting element, closed-off front grille and faux skid plate in metallic finish. Punch.ev has thick body cladding, blacked-out ORVMs with integrated turn signals, sporty alloy wheels and C-pillar mounted rear door handles. At rear, the SUV gets edgy tail lamps and a rugged bumper.Inside, Punch EV offers a comprehensive range of features. Some of the key highlights of top-spec variants include leatherette ventilated front seats, 360° surround view camera, blind spot view monitor, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, fully digital instrument console, wireless smartphone charger, air purifier with AQI display, auto fold ORVMs, cruise control and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Sunroof option is available from Adventure trim onwards. Safety kit includes ESP and 6-airbags as standard across all variants.Tata Punch EV LaunchedA number of features have been borrowed from Nexon EV such as the new two-spoke steering wheel with illuminated Tata logo. There are no physical buttons on the centre console, and instead, the SUV has a touch-sensitive phygital control panel. Other highlights include voice commands, electronic parking brake with auto hold, SOS function and DC fast charging. Punch EV also offers a comprehensive range of connectivity features via Arcade.ev – App suite. More

  • in

    Tata Punch EV Is Overloaded With Features – Variant-Wise Breakup Leaked

    Tata Punch EV fasciaAs is seen on the Tiago EV and Nexon EV, the new Tata Punch EV will also be offered in Standard and Long Range (LR) variantsTata Motors opens the New Year 2024 with a new electric vehicle. The Tata Punch EV will be launched soon, featuring Tata’s new Acti.ev dedicated EV platform. The car has been arriving at dealerships and there are more features revealed of this upcoming hot cake ahead of launch.Tata Punch EV Features, Specs LeakedSet to rival the Citroen eC3 and upcoming Hyundai Exter EV in its segment, the new Tata Punch EV will be positioned below Nexon EV and above Tiago EV in the company’s electric vehicle lineup. It will also be offered in Standard guise with a smaller 25 kWh battery and LR (Long Range) versions with a larger 35 kWh battery.Thus catering to the needs of users who can select a variant as per budget and range requirements. The launch is tomorrow, January 17th. Ahead of launch, finer details from brochures have been leaked by multiple individuals and media outlets. The main numbers are 25 kWh battery with Standard Punch and 35 kWh battery with LR model.Standard Punch has 315 km claimed range, while Punch LR claims 400 km. There will be performance differences between the two and only LR models get rear disc brakes. With LR model, there will be a higher top speed too, at around 130 km/h or 140 km/h.[embedded content]Next best thing in Indian car industry?With Tata Punch EV, the company intends to hit the ball out of the park. As seen with Shrish Kaushik’s walkaround videos of Tata Punch on YouTube, Punch EV will surely emerge as the next best thing in Indian car industry. We say this because it packs features, technology and other attributes that are unheard of in smaller cars (3.8m length).In fact, many of the features and attributes that Punch EV is brining, leading sub 4m and compact SUVs don’t offer as well, even today. The features include ventilated front seats, auto-dimming IRVM, rear disc brakes, LED fog lights with cornering function, a fully digital and configurable 10.2-inch instrument cluster, LED projector headlights, electronic parking brake, 360-degree camera, TPMS, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, premium upholstery and many more.Not just features, Punch EV shares a lot of attributes with Nexon EV, Harrier and Safari, which are much more premium and expensive products. These are a twin-spoke steering wheel with backlit Tata logo, 10.2-inch touchscreen, electronic parking brake, jewelled gear selector with display and cruise control. Safety will be via 6 airbags, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system, 360-degree camera, ISOFIX child seat anchors and ABS with EBD.Tata Punch EV featuresVariant-wise featuresBase Active trim will get LED headlights, 6 airbags, ESP and paddle shifters with multi-mode regen, among others. Adventure trim brings option to choose LR model. Feature additions are cruise control, fog lights with cornering function, 7-inch Harman infotainment, wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, electronic parking brake (LR only) and optional sunroof.Empowered trim brings 16-inch alloy wheels, air purifier, auto fold ORVMs, 7-inch instrument screen, 10.2-inch infotainment screen, SOS function, options for DT colours and more. Top-spec Empowered+ adds leatherette seats, 360-degree camera, blind spot monitor, ventilated front seats, Arcade.ev app suite, 10.2-inch digital instrumentation, wireless smartphone charger, among others.Source More

  • in

    Tata Punch EV Reach Dealerships – Interior Similar To Nexon EV

    Tata Punch EV Reach DealershipsAs opposed to ICE Punch, Tata Punch EV has an overhauled interior that shares most components with pricier Nexon EVWithin Tata Motors’ SUV lineup, Punch is the smallest offering and has created a special segment of its own below Nexon sub 4m SUV. With 5 Star crash safety rating from GNCAP, rugged looks and a well-packaged features list, Punch soon became popular in India. Now, Tata is launching an electric version of Punch to expand its EV portfolio.Tata Punch EV Reach DealershipsIf Nexon is the highest-selling vehicle (of any segment) in India, Punch is 3rd highest-selling vehicle with 13,787 units sold in December 2023. In comparison, Tiago and Tigor garner much lower sales numbers. Electrifying Punch would unlock a new horizon of expanding the brand’s reach to target demographic.Considering growing SUV craze in India, Punch EV could very well be India’s best-selling EV upon launch too, sidelining Tiago EV. The potential that Punch EV packs is very high and pricing is likely to play a big role in establishing this effect. The company has revealed exterior design elements of Punch EV ahead of launch.For the first time, Punch EV interiors have been spotted of units that have been arriving at Tata’s EV-specific dealerships. There is a massive departure in interiors from what the company is offering with ICE model. The overall look and feel of Punch EV is a big leap in terms of aesthetics, appeal and technology.Punch EV new 10.2-inch instrument screenWe say this because there are a lot of parts sharing with its bigger and more expensive brother, Nexon EV, which was recently launched. The Punch EV spotted at dealership seems to be top-spec Empowered+ trim and hence it gets the same 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster that Tata offers with Nexon, Nexon EV, Harrier and Safari.Interior overhaulOther than that, Punch EV should get the same 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment screen that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with Arcade.ev app suite from Tata. Punch EV gets Tata’s new 2-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated logo similar to Nexon EV. There should be a new centre console with touch and toggle design HVAC controls as well.These are a major uplift when compared to the interiors of Punch ICE with a small 7-inch head unit and other shared parts with Tiago and Tigor. Punch EV gets rear disc brakes too, something that Harrier doesn’t get as standard even today. Tata is offering standard Punch EV and Punch EV LR (Long Range) with battery choices and an electrifying performance.Punch EVEven the sunroof is optional and not standard, which is much appreciated. Other choices include either a 3.3 kW AC charger or the faster 7.2 kW AC charger. The car sits on a dedicated Acti.ev electric vehicle platform that allows for a front trunk as well, which is the first on any Tata EV before. Charging port is in the front too, which is so much convenient than side ports.Image – Chotharamparmar More

  • in

    Punch EV Off-Roading Capabilities, Dual-Display Revealed – Launch Soon

    Tata Punch EV off-roading teaserTo be positioned above the Tiago EV, Tata Punch.ev will rival the likes of Citroen eC3 and upcoming Hyundai Exter EVTata’s early foray into the EV segment with products like Nexon EV has turned out to be a spectacular success. The company currently commands more than 70% market share in EV space. With new products like Punch EV and upcoming Harrier EV, Safari EV and Curvv EV, Tata will be looking to maintain its dominance.Punch.ev off-roading capabilities revealedA recent Instagram post uploaded by Tata reveals the off-roading capabilities of Punch.ev. The mind generally perceives electric cars as relatively fragile in comparison to their ICE counterparts. However, as revealed in the video, Punch.ev is seen conquering a wide variety of extreme off-road tracks. Punch.ev easily drives across the uneven track test, articulation test and mud and gravel dirt track. Punch EV also aces the water crossing test, dispelling any doubts that people may have about the safety of electric cars.[embedded content]Unlike other Tata electric cars like Tiago EV, Tigor EV and Nexon EV that are largely ICE to EV conversion projects, Punch EV is based on an entirely new pure EV architecture named ‘acti.ev’. Many of the off-roading capabilities that Punch EV has could be made possible with this new EV platform. Acti.ev is designed with focus on performance, technology, modularity and space efficiency.It uses an orthogonal, high density battery pack for optimal space utilization and performance. The battery pack cells have been tested in compliance with advanced global standards. The acti.ev platform can support various body styles, offering a range of 300 to 600 km. All three propulsion options, FWD, RWD and AWD, can be accommodated. The platform supports up to 150 kW fast charging. Users will be able to add around 100 km in just 10 minutes.Tata Punch EV interiors – Dual screen setupPunch EV will be available in Standard and Long Range versions. But the exact range is yet to be revealed. As Punch has a pure EV architecture, its range could be higher than its siblings and rival offerings.Punch EV new interior details revealedPunch EV’s equipment list has several components borrowed from Nexon EV. For example, dual 10.25-inch displays will be available with the Empowered+ variant. The Empowered variant will have a single 10.25-inch infotainment and a 7-inch digital instrument console.The dashboard has been refreshed and there’s a new touch sensitive AC control panel. Just like Nexon EV, Punch EV also gets the new 2-spoke steering wheel with backlit Tata logo. Other details revealed include new dual-tone upholstery. It is likely that Punch EV will have more interior theme options based on the variant.Tata Punch EV interiors – new themePunch.ev is expected to be launched by the end of this month. Initial offer price could be around Rs 12 lakh. In comparison, Citroen eC3 starts at Rs 11.61 lakh. It will be interesting to see how Hyundai responds with the Exter EV that is scheduled for launch later this year. More

  • in

    New Punch EV Features Detailed – Which Variants Get What?

    Tata Punch EVAs of now, Tata Motors has not revealed expected features list of Smart+ trim among new Punch EV features detailedTata Passenger Electric Mobility is expected to launch a new superstar in the form of Punch EV (sold as Punch.ev). The company’s current darling for sales charts is Tiago EV, which is India’s most affordable 5-door EV. Punch EV, however, has all the qualities to be TPEM’s new best-seller. Let’s check variant-wise features.New Punch EV Features DetailedBookings for Punch EV have commenced and a glitch in Tata’s system has revealed price quotations to booked customers too. So, Punch EV cost is likely to be well under Rs. 17 lakh (ex-sh), while price for Nexon EV’s top-spec variants go till Rs. 20 lakh (ex-sh). The company has only revealed a few key features with trim levels ahead of launch.Speaking of, Tata Punch EV will be sold in 5 trim levels – Smart, Smart+, Adventure, Empowered and Empowered+. These trims will further spawn variants with LR (Long Range) and regular along with a sunroof and 7.2 kW charger being popular variable attributes. It is to be noted that Smart and Smart+ trims are not bundled with LR models.Buyers choosing Punch EV LR model get Adventure, Empowered and Empowered+ trim levels to choose from. While regular Punch EV buyers get all five trims, or Personna, as Tata calls them. Smart and Smart+ only get Pristine White shade. From Adventure onwards, Seaweed DT, Daytona Grey DT and Fearless Red DT are added.New Punch EV features detailedEmpowered and Empowered+ get an additional Empowered Oxide DT shade. Base Smart trim gets LED headlights, DRLs, multi-mode regen, ESC and 6 airbags. Upgrading to Adventure trim adds cruise control, LED fog lights with cornering function, a 7-inch touchscreen by Harman, wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and an optional sunroof.Adventure LR model gets additional features like an electronic parking brake and jeweled control knob. We wish Tata had given alloy wheels with Adventure trim, but that isn’t the case.What is offered with top-spec variantsSpeaking of alloy wheels, Empowered trim offers it. These are 16 inches in size and get a diamond-cut finish. Other than that, Empowered also get a built-in air purifier, auto folding ORVM, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.2-inch infotainment screen by Harman, SOS function and an optional sunroof.Kudos to Tata Motors for offering a sunroof as an option even with top-spec Empowered+ trim. We would encourage more automakers to follow a similar approach. Lastly, we have Empowered+ trim that adds leatherette seats, 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, ventilated front seats ( a Godsend), Arcade.ev app suite, wireless phone charger and a larger 10.2-inch instrument screen.Tata has not yet revealed the features list of Smart+ trim. The launch could happen by the end of this month. Although, a definite date is not yet announced. More