[Reinhard]

Just curious - the PUNCH comes with a puncture repair kit. Is that TaMo being generous specifically with this car (for no plausible reason) OR - this might be a car that loses out on the full size spare wheel as part of the 1st refresh within 6 months from launch? Will giving a TPMS and puncture repair kit be cheaper overall in bulk production? I suspect yes if they can continue sourcing Chinese internal TPMS components.

The government after all has removed the mandate for a spare wheel in small cars. Its a matter of who bites the bullet first (Ford bit it - but then they quit altogether!). Honestly - I hope Tata doesn't pick this gamble on a crucial product like the Punch. Its in a segment where people will get suddenly anxious when removing traditionally standard equipment. Its a product aimed at pulling away conventionally Maruti customers away into Tata. Smallest of gambles can cause a blunder.

[red_nemesis]

Another wonderfully put together well-balanced review.

A lot has been said about the 1.2L NA Engine here. Personally, I do not take any reviews at face value. I often find most of them to be driven by bandwagon effect, simply reiterating things from some popular reviewers. (Another reason why I love team-bhp reviews, which are quite thorough, authentic, unbiased and balanced)

Originally Posted by Omkar

Tata Punch Pros

• 1.2L NA petrol offers good driveability in the city. Performance is acceptable <90 kmph

Tata Punch Cons

• 1.2L NA petrol’s highway performance is weak. At 100 kmph & up, more noise than action

If our review is something to go by, the driving conditions described here form only a part of the whole driving experience. That too a relatively smaller portion of it.

While enthusiasts like our community here would love to have multiple Engine + GB options to chose from, it is not the case for mass market. Based on anecdotal evidence, I have seen Engine + GB combo being one of the lower priority items after Looks, Features, Delivery time, etc. when it comes to decision making for mass market. Although it is frustrating to watch as an enthusiast, it is the reality.

Looking from Tata's POV, if your limited variants are significantly covering the mass market/customer segment that you are targeting, why go and confuse the customers with too many options. Not to mention the additional burden it will have on production planning (even after considering the improved planning systems) and subsequently delivery times.

And evidently from their recent marketing tricks, Tata knows very well how to keep the customers engaged by filling up these product gaps with intermittent, well-hyped launches.

All-in-all, this looks to be a solid product from Tata. The SA I bought my Tiago from has already called me up for a test drive. Will post some first-hand views once I do that.

[AkMar]

Originally Posted by Reinhard

Just curious - the PUNCH comes with a puncture repair kit. Is that TaMo being generous specifically with this car (for no plausible reason) OR - this might be a car that loses out on the full size spare wheel as part of the 1st refresh within 6 months from launch?

Tiago & Tigor got puncture repair kits in May 2021. They still come with spare wheel so I do not think Tata will skip the spare wheel in the Punch. https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/tyre-...-retained.html (Tata Tiago & Tigor now come with a tyre repair kit | EDIT: Spare tyre retained!)

[red_nemesis]

Originally Posted by Reinhard

Just curious - the PUNCH comes with a puncture repair kit. Is that TaMo being generous specifically with this car (for no plausible reason) OR - this might be a car that loses out on the full size spare wheel as part of the 1st refresh within 6 months from launch?

Definitely not being generous just with this car. My Tiago (Jul-2021) came with the same Continental Puncture repair kit AND the spare wheel. It was actually a pleasant surprise to me when I stumbled upon it under the driver's seat.

Originally Posted by Reinhard

Its in a segment where people will get suddenly anxious when removing traditionally standard equipment. Its a product aimed at pulling away conventionally Maruti customers away into Tata. Smallest of gambles can cause a blunder.

Absolutely agree with you on this one. People will definitely be anxious if they do that.

But what I suspect is Tata is gearing up for some CNG launches and they might use this to get rid of the spare wheel to utilize that extra space for the CNG tank. As of today, a one of the barriers for CNG is lack of boot space. Just speculating though.

[RavenAvi]

Peeks at the Accomplished (2nd top) and the Accomplished Persona options in the Punch:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_7fOxgMGbc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJM_FCsCRRE

[AkMar]

To add to the spare wheel discussion, I do not think Tata will be doing away with it anytime soon. If they intended to get rid of it, they had a golden chance in the Tigor EV. Excuse was readymade, that there is no space for a spare wheel. But the fact that they gave spare wheel even at the cost of reduced boot space should be enough indication that Tata is not seriously thinking of removing it. Enough of now & lets get back to the car before Mods step in!

[sixthsense]

Punch brochure.
brochure.pdf

[ron178]

Originally Posted by ron178

Tata's PR team accidentally hints at a high crash test rating for the Punch?

Looks like someone at Tata is reading this thread.
Old brochure:

New brochure:


I trust Tata on high levels of adult occupant protection now (at least in the frontal crash, I don't know how they have performed in the side impact beyond UN95 criteria), though it would still be best to wait before making an assumption.

What I'm more concerned about is the child safety rating, particularly the vehicle-based assessment. It doesn't have a three-point rear centre seat belt which means it'll lose out on that 1.00 point. Then there's the warning labels, ISOFIX markings, CRS compatibility, etc. not to mention the actual dynamic test. If there's something new Tata can bring, it's the first 5 star child occupant protection rating. One thing's clear, they're trying (based on the Tigor EV's 4-star COP score) and I wouldn't be surprised if we do see a five star child safety rating after all. I hope they take care of the excursion of the Q3 dummy and the unlatching of the backrest (something that affected the Altroz) this time around.

I'm expecting a wave of 4 and 5 star (adult occupant protection) cars later this month (or maybe some before the end of the year), but I hope I'm not proven wrong by some manufacturers. With other manufacturers taking up the five star challenge and Global NCAP using a thoroughly revised assessment protocol from July next year, Tata has some work to do to maintain its lead. Particularly fitment of ESC and side head protection airbags for adult occupant protection, and fitment of three-point belts for child occupant protection. At present, the latter is just a 1.00 point modifier. From next year, the vehicle loses all points for the vehicle-based assessment if they're not present.

If any passenger seat is not equipped with three-point automatic lap and diagonal seatbelts and/or they do not meet UN or FMVSS regulations, 0 points shall be awarded for the vehicle based assessments.

[MaheshY1]

5-star GNCAP seems obvious for the Punch because of the 5-star frame. However, my guess was that Tata don't want to release that information right now so they can use this when the demand/queries/bookings start going down. This way, they can get another round of media coverage. That's how I would plan the information flow.

[Bibendum90949]

Originally Posted by The Rationalist

A vehicle which might start from ₹5 lakh getting 5* GNCAP rating should put the Hyundai & Kia management bow their heads in shame, who was deliberately making less safer versions of their models purposefully and putting people’s lives at risk.

To the beloved Korean siblings with blings,

This is how it is done !

Hope at least now, rest of them are forced to throw in the towel and follow the footsteps of Tata and Mahindra on the safety front.

[mayd85]

It's a very good review. Hats off to the team of reviewers! The attention to details is really staggering.

Coming to the engine related debate - has anybody checked with Tata Motors or any other credible source about the sales split between Altroz NA and Altroz Turbo petrol variants? If the turbo petrol sales are much lower compared to NA petrol sales, I think Tata's decision to launch the Punch with only NA engine is justified. The investment (of resources, manpower and time) required for turbo variant may simply be too high compared to the ROI.

[Jaisalmeriya]

Great review covering all aspects of the car! Kudos to the reviewers.

The car looks gorgeous and has the potential to appeal to the targeted segment; features too seem to be logically distributed.

As for the engine option (or lack thereof) - This seems to be a TATA strategy (not commenting on the merit of the same though) to keep the interest/excitement in their products going on with new variants/engine/colour editions in the months/years subsequent to the launch; and it seems to have been paying off. It keeps them on the customer's mind map nevertheless.

Waiting for a test drive and this very well could be the replacement for the Santro my Dad is itching to let go!

[karan561]

Last week I too had the Tata Punch with me for about half a day & here are my Initial Impressions in the form of this VIDEO from the Drive;

https://youtu.be/1z_7mOH40sg

Likes;

- Exterior Design & the Name Punch.
- Interior Design & Spaciousness.
- High Speed Ride Quality.
- Light Weight Platform.

Dislikes;

- This Engine & the name Punch don't match.
- No Diesel Option (Deserves the 1.5L)
- Suspension feels Stiff < 60 km/h
- Lack of a Conventional A/T.

This "Driver" focused review focusses on the following;



As we all know that before Tata Motors gave this product a name, it was internally codenamed the X445 & had been provisionally named HORNBILL. The X445 codename gives away valid proof that this car is based on the 45X hatchback which is nothing but the Altroz, implying the Punch is based on the ALFA-ARC Platform.

The key to this platform is its modularity as this platform is flexible to make different body styles & even does support future EV implementation.
Infact this platform was one reason TATA Motors was able to cut down from earlier 6 platforms to only 2 & the other being the OMEGA Arc which underpins the Harrier & SAFARI. In fact the this platform is so flexible and modular it can be compared to VW's MQB platform & in reality during mid 2017, VW was considering building cars using Tata's platform however for some reason that did not work out & VW themselves modified their MQB into MQB A0 IN for the Indian market.

Finally, yes this is the ALFA ARC platform previously seen on the ALTROZ which has been modified with Higher GC a Higher Driving Position for the Punch.



There are some Good riding cars in this segment & similarly the Punch doesn't disappoint much. Thought the Suspension is a bit still at lower speeds (< 60 km/h) but at higher speeds the Punch feels matured for its size & segment. The wheel size is 16" (Top Spec/Variant) but the tyre profile is 60 & that cushions more than the Suspension at lower speeds on bad section of the roads. Overall its a continuation of the Notion that the new age TATA cars offer Good Ride quality.



This being a high riding Crossover/SUV body style the Handling remains playful enough and does remind me of the ALFA Arc Genetics of the Altroz or may be its the same Steering Wheel. However the not so soft suspension may be helping the Punch handle well. Another contributing factor to good handling (for the segment) may be the less weight (1035 Kgs -Top Spec/Variant).



The place where this little TATA lacks a PUNCH is in the Engine department. 1.2L N/A, 3 Cyl. The Power outputs are not worth mentioning. Instead its important to note the drivability remains favourable in city limits & the low RPM pick up is good. It definitely sounds like a 3 cyl. too. I drove the Manual variant only & unsurprisingly the old & trusted TA65 gearbox is used which has satisfactory shifts supported by a light short range Clutch.



For anyone who has been in the new age TATA cars this cabin will be familiar to them. Right from the instrument cluster to the dashboard layout. The driving position as i said has been emphasised to be upright for the SUV experience and increased visibility. Also the Infotainment system is of the right size in my opinion and not unnecessarily large. It comes connected with TATA motors latest iRA connected car technology. The Rear Seat feels decently spacious (including the headroom) for the segment. 5th passenger will get an almost flat floor but 5 Heavy / Large passengers will not only make the space a struggle but also the engine Scuffle.

Miscellaneous Observations & Thoughts;

- Fun to extract Power from a non Powerful motor.
- Commanding Driving Position & Good visibility all around.
- ALFA-ARC platform was initially called the AMP (Advanced Modular Platform).
- I personally dislike the half digital instrument cluster, particularly the rev counter.
- Ground Clearance for the Punch is 187 mm where as the Nexon has a GC of 209 mm.
- Ground Clearance is high enough to cross speed breakers in 3rd Gear, if you know what I mean.
- I personally dislike this 4 spoke Alloy Wheel Design, but it seems many automakers are adopting the 4 Spoke trend.
- Did not get the opportunity to try out the iRA app/features, but I believe the TEAM-BHP review has covered it well in this thread.
- Feature list is encouraging (Sunroof fans may have to wait a bit longer till TATA provides one in the future), Harman 6 Speaker Music system sounds good for the segment. A/C is Powerful.

[Emvi]

Tata Punch vs Tata Harrier comparison video.
Big brother vs kid brother

https://youtu.be/hvry_pKqNgo

[Pramathyu]

What I really don't understand is that the leg room for rear passengers is poor in this car and no one seems to be complaining?