[ron178]

Tata Punch scores a 5 star Global NCAP rating for adult occupant protection (16.45 points) and 4 stars for child occupant protection (40.89) - the highest combined score for any car tested in India so far. Highest ever adult occupant protection score in India too, with child occupant protection marginally outdone by the Mahindra Thar at 41.11 points.

https://youtu.be/SSA3Nu6NeTk

Press release:

The Tata Punch has achieved a five star rating for adult occupant protection and four stars for child occupant protection in Global NCAP’s latest #SaferCarsForIndia crash tests.

The Tata Punch was tested in the most basic safety specification, fitted with two airbags, ABS brakes and ISOFIX anchorages. The Punch can be improved by equipping the model with standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), side head impact protection systems as standard, and 3 point belts in all seating positions. It is important to highlight once again Tata’s decision to install both child occupants as rearward facing, demonstrating that this position offers the best safety option as both child dummies received good protection.

Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Global NCAP said,

“Tata has once again achieved a top safety rating for adult protection and four stars for children in a new and popular model category. This voluntary test result confirms the direction of Tata’s journey towards safer cars for India. Our test procedures demonstrate Tata’s progress in becoming one of the safety leaders in the Indian market with our current protocols. As the protocols evolve to include electronic stability control (ESC), side impact head protection and pedestrian protection, we would encourage Tata to maintain this leadership position.”

David Ward, President of the Towards Zero Foundation said,

“We are obviously delighted with Tata’s safety result in this voluntary test. Global NCAP encourages manufacturers to participate in our programme on a voluntary basis to help create a market for safety. It is very satisfying to see leading manufacturers like Tata and Mahindra engage so positively with our #SaferCarsforIndia agenda.

“It remains disappointing that not all car makers in the Indian market have such a strong commitment to safety improvements.”

Testers' comments:

Adult occupant protection

The protection offered to the driver and passenger’s head and neck was good. Driver and passenger’s chest showed good protection. Driver and passenger knees showed good protection. Driver tibias showed adequate protection while passenger’s tibias showed adequate and good protection. The bodyshell was rated as stable and it was capable of withstanding further loadings. Footwell area was rated as stable. The car offers standard Seat Belt Reminders (SBR) for driver and passenger. The car pass UN95 side impact test, it has front passengers SBR that pass the requirements and it offers standard ABS (4 channel). All of the above explained the five star rating for adult occupant protection.

Child Occupant Protection

The child seat for the 3 year old and 1.5 year old were installed rearward facing with ISOFIX connectors and support leg. The CRS was able to prevent excessive forward movement during the impact and offered good protection to the head and chest of both dummies. CRS marking was permanent. The recommended CRS did not show incompatibility. The vehicle offers a lap belt in the rear centre position. The car has standard ISOFIX anchorages. All of the above explained the four star rating for child occupant protection.

Find test details here


An interesting detail - the test code reads OD3421THO1 - which means that the Punch would have been named Hornbill at the time of signing the sponsorship agreement! Another last-minute name change by Tata after the Safari?

[Venkatesh]

Tata Punch secures a full 5-star rating for adult protection in the GNCAP.

https://youtu.be/SSA3Nu6NeTk

The Tata Punch was tested in the most basic safety specification, fitted with two airbags, ABS brakes and ISOFIX anchorages. The Punch can be improved by equipping the model with standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), side head impact protection systems as standard, and 3 point belts in all seating positions. It is important to highlight once again Tata’s decision to install both child occupant’s as rearward facing, demonstrating that this position offers the best safety option as both child dummies received good protection.

TATA PUNCH (2 airbags)

Adult occupant protection

The protection offered to the driver and passenger’s head and neck was good. Driver and passenger’s chest showed good protection. Driver and passenger knees showed good protection. Driver tibias showed adequate protection while passenger’s tibias showed adequate and good protection. The bodyshell was rated as stable and it was capable of withstanding further loadings. Footwell area was rated as stable. The car offers standard Seat Belt Reminders (SBR) for driver and passenger. The car pass UN95 side impact test, it has front passengers SBR that pass the requirements and it offers standard ABS (4 channel). All of the above explained the five star rating for adult occupant protection.

Child Occupant Protection

The child seat for the 3 year old and 1.5 year old were installed rearward facing with ISOFIX connectors and support leg. The CRS was able to prevent excessive forward movement during the impact and offered good protection to the head and chest of both dummies. CRS marking was permanent. The recommended CRS did not show incompatibility. The vehicle offers a lap belt in the rear centre position. The car has standard ISOFIX anchorages. All of the above explained the four star rating for child occupant protection.

“Tata has once again achieved a top safety rating for adult protection and four stars for children in a new and popular model category. This voluntary test result confirms the direction of Tata’s journey towards safer cars for India. Our test procedures demonstrate Tata’s progress in becoming one of the safety leaders in the Indian market with our current protocols. As the protocols evolve to include electronic stability control (ESC), side impact head protection and pedestrian protection, we would encourage Tata to maintain this leadership position.”

Source

[Wason4699]

Now that really packs a Punch. Awaiting delivery eagerly.

[busydrive]

That's a fantastic achievement. First Altroz and now Punch. It shows the capability of the platform. This car is coming like a true package. Can't wait for the EV edition.

[discoverwild]

Not bad at all considering the fact that it had only 2 airbags and no side curtains and no ESC too. No idea why they skimped on ESC though. That would have made the numbers even better.
Aren't these numbers higher than XUV300 which currently holds the first place?

Edit: It is!!
Adult Protection
XUV300: 16.42
Punch: 16.45

Child Protection
XUV300: 37.44
Punch: 40.89

[karanddd]

This just makes me think that neither the Harrier nor the Safari can score 5 stars. Tata's voluntarily sent this car and the Nexon and Altroz to GNCAP, but won't send either of the bigger two, probably because their in-house testing reveals that they're not up to scratch.

[AZT]

Originally Posted by ron178

Tata Punch scores a 5 star Global NCAP rating for adult occupant protection (16.45 points) and 4 stars for child occupant protection (40.89) - the highest combined score for any car tested in India so far. Highest ever adult occupant protection score in India too, with child occupant protection marginally outdone by the Mahindra Thar at 41.11 points.

Fantastic news. @Mods please make above a separate post if possible. This test then begs the question, if Tata can get cars tested at will, why haven't the new Nexon, Harrier, and Safari been tested yet.

[Shreyas_H]

Originally Posted by karanddd

This just makes me think that neither the Harrier nor the Safari can score 5 stars. Tata's voluntarily sent this car and the Nexon and Altroz to GNCAP, but won't send either of the bigger two, probably because their in-house testing reveals that they're not up to scratch.

I guess it's a known industry secret that the FCA sourced 2.0 L Diesel causes protrusion into the Harrier/Safari cabin thereby affecting the driver side impact score and hence the rating.

I feel that if and when Tata gets a Petrol on the Harrier, they will send it for testing.

Nonetheless this is a fantastic achievement by Tata for the Punch! Should help their sales and rightfully so

[akash_v12]

I’ve said it numerous times before. Maruti might have the people’s (deceived) trust, Hyundai might have somewhat of a reputation carried over from their fantastic past, but no manufacturer has been able to build up a completely new reputation from scratch like Tata & Mahindra.

Really good to see so many cars from the homegrown manufacturers scoring a perfect 5* in the test.

Good job Tata!

[sunilkm]

Fantastic news and Kudos to Tata for crash testing even before the price release.

[searacer932]

Well done to TATA & Mahindra (our home grown manufacturers).

Meanwhile industry leader (Maruti) is still complaining about the safety regulations and rules and keep reducing the weight of their cars

[Reinhard]

Fantastic news for the customers! A "top rated" safety certified car in the segment where the bulk of the action happens in our market!

Glad to see TaMo achieving this inspiring score in such a value aimed product. It was always safe to presume it will score over 4 stars given its based on the Altroz's platform. But becoming the #1 scorer in the list - is such a pleasing result.

Now if the pricing is right - the customers will not have the excuse of "price" when picking a car. If the light-weight hatchbacks still sell by being maybe 10-30k cheaper - nobody else to blame but our own people, for ignoring life and safety of dear ones. Life has no value then.

Already there are/were alternatives like the Tiago/Tigor, Polo etc with excellent safety credentials, but not selling much (Tiago sells now, agreed). All had one grime or the other perhaps. But the Punch probably covers all the bases that a hatch-back buying customer actually needs.

Interesting to see the pricing now! Hurry up Tata! And please work on that EV fast. This might be a trump car(d) in the EV area.

[fiat_tarun]

Great achievement and something we have come to expect from Tata now in the safety department. Just goes to show core structural safety does not cost much. Even Mr.Veluswamy, the R&D head from Mahindra said in a CNB interview that it can actually be cheaper if done at the design stage itself, considering the weight saving possible by using higher strength steel.

Originally Posted by discoverwild

Not bad at all considering the fact that it had only 2 airbags and no side curtains and no ESC too. No idea why they skimped on ESC though. That would have made the numbers even better.
...

Nope, there are no extra points for ESC in the current rating criteria. From July 2022, ESC will be required for a 4* rating and above. To get a 3* rating, ESC will have to be an optional offering.

Similarly a side pole test will also be done to test 'Side head protection' and hence side / curtain airbags will be required for a full 5*. For 4* it needs to be an optional fitment.

With ESC expected to be legislated soon, I expect to see it as a standard offering in the next 1-2 years. I only hope our market leader also offers ESC & 6 airbags voluntarily !

More details here

[K_Drive]

Not at all surprising news! This is expected! Tata is synonym for safety now. Congrats Tata for creating another 5 start GNACP product and securing the highest scores ever for an Indian car. Shows the strength of the platform and capabilities of engineers. Now Tata should concentrate on another departments.

Between, happy that they also worked on child occupant safety. Very impressive scores there also. Price it correct and you will see lots of takers especially from females.

[chethan.ram]

Tata is on a roll and they have come a long way. It is really surprising that they haven’t sent either Harrier or Safari for the rest. The reason could be obvious.