Apart from the Nexon EV, I also own a Ford Figo diesel, Innova Hycross Hybrid, Carens Diesel AT, and Celerio AMT.

BHPian govind_kaniyath recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Nexon EV

I have clocked close to 48,000 km on my Nexon EV 2021. Back then, there was no long-range variant on sale.

Throughout the almost 3 years of ownership, this was the usage:

Mostly used by myself or my father as our car. The longest he takes the car is around 170 km one way. Does RFID card-based fast charging and returns?

Two of my uncles sometimes take it for trips which total about 150 km to and fro.

Aunt takes it for errands which is barely 10kms.

As I'm working in the EV charging industry, I occasionally take it on interstate road trips which go above 1000 km to and fro.

I was aware that next-gen Tata EVs are coming.

Acti.EV platform has some serious potential.

Just a couple of hours before the Punch EV launch event, I called up my local Tata dealership and took a booking for Punch EV. They told me I could choose the variant after a couple of days.

The main reason I took the booking was to not miss out on introductory prices "if" I decide to buy.

I expected to price for the LR variant to be close to Nexon EV's similar spec'd MR variant, but the pricing of 14.49L for the top variant is VFM!

Now comes the big question, whether I should replace the Nexon EV with this.

Punch EV Visit

Punch EV had reached my local showroom, I went to check it out. Though test drives didn't start yet.

Here are my quick observations, as I'm comparing this with my Nexon, I'll add those points too.

The colour

Tata's website shows the "Empowered Oxide" colour is different between Punch and Nexon. But in reality, it's identical.

Interiors

The infotainment system, instrument cluster, new two-spoke steering wheel, phygital AC panel, all add a far more premium feel compared to the ICE punch. The paddle shifter-based regen selector is a nice touch.

But apart from screens and steering the overall interior of Nexon feels more premium than a Punch because of much better plastics, proportions, airy feel, and leatherette padded portions on doors. Button controls for AC any day over touch controls. Also, I drive with Regen Max even on expressways. 3 years of EV ownership have sharpened my single-pedal driving skills. So the regen selector is not that important for me.

I'll call this a draw.

Seats and seating comfort

Front seats have different bolstering when compared to the ICE variant. On the shoulder part of the seat, it creates a "hugging" shape. The squab is flat when compared to Nexon.

Also, a weird thing I noticed was, that though ventilated seats were turned on to level 3, I didn't feel any air coming from the seat squab (back support). Hycross and Carens have ventilated seats, on those I could feel it. Not sure if this is an issue with this particular model.

The seats are not full leatherette, on the sides, it's fabric.

When compared to Nexon, apart from ventilation, Nexon's seats are far better in every way.

Rear seats

Acti.EV platform promises better space efficiency than the Ziptron platform.

In the LR variant that I checked out, the floor is raised when compared to the ICE version. But, it's not as raised as the Nexon LR version. Nexon MR has the best rear seats.

Also, there was a rod behind the front driver seat which was touching my shin when I was seated in the rear. I'm 6'1 for reference.

The win goes to my Nexon here.

Nexon 1: Punch 0

Tech

Pure EV platform, arcade.EV, 360° cameras, slick infotainment.

Caveats: No V2V/V2V, still using cylindrical cells instead of prismatic.

Still, Punch takes the win.

Nexon 1: Punch 1

Boot

Nexon not only gets a spare wheel but also has more usable space than punch.

Nexon 2: Punch 1

Road Presence

Even with the new front fascia and DRL, it's unmistakably a punch. Nexon has much more SUVness.

Nexon 3: Punch 1

Now comes the EV-specific things

Range

Tata hasn't disclosed the weight of Tata Punch.

If we assume Nexon MR, Tiago and Tigor get about 200 km range and Nexon LR gets about 260km range, then this should be where the range lies in between for Punch LR:

• If the Punch has Tigor weight, then 270 km.
• If the Punch has Tiago weight, then 290 km.
• If the Punch weighs more, the range will decrease.

But I feel it will at least give Nexon LR-like range.

Nexon 3: Punch 2

Charging

My Nexon has a 3.3kW onboard charger, whereas Punch has a 7kW OBC.

Also, both cars have a 0.75C DC charging rate (75% charge in one hour). Though it's slow, the Punch will take 26.5kW compared to 21kW in Nexon.

Punch also has a charging port in the front.

Nexon 3: Punch 3

Architecture

This will determine how soon the car remains without getting outdated.

Also, no wires hanging underneath the Punch.

Obvious win for Acti.EV-powered Punch.

Nexon 3: Punch 4

Ride quality

Nexon will feel much more plusher and better than Punch EV.

Nexon 4: Punch 4

Headroom

Punch is taller than Nexon. But the sunroof looks like an afterthought on the punch. I had test-driven the punch ICE when it was launched, I didn't have any headroom issues back then.

On the Punch EV with the sunroof, my head hit the sunroof assembly. I had to adjust the seat to get a 2 finger space in between.

Also, when seated in the rear, you can only see a tiny portion of the sunroof. The assembly where the sunroof retracts hides the view of the glass area.

When I sat in the ICE version of Punch at the dealership, the headroom difference was massive.

Also, the sunroof cover feels flimsy.

Nexon doesn't have any such issues.

Nexon 5: Punch 4

Headlights

I had done a painstaking OEM quality HID/LED upgrade on my Nexon making night rides much more stress-free. With Punch having fixed LEDs, they can't match my Nexon's lights nor can I swap them into the Punch.

Now bulbs in Nexon prefacelift can be swapped with Tata-approved LEDs which are 60W per bulb.

Nexon 6: Punch 4

Here are some other things which I noticed in the Punch EV

The Main battery disconnect was underneath the car in my Nexon. It has now moved inside the bonnet alongside the HV disconnect.

Also, I saw a post in TeslaClubOfIndia which shows a photo of the spec plate of the battery pack.

It says the cell type is cylindrical. I don't understand why Tata would opt for less space-efficient cylindrical cells instead of far superior "prismatic cells".

Punch EV presentation says better space efficiency, I guess that's a minor packaging difference then.

eC3 uses prismatic cells, and BYD blade cells are prismatic.

Now comes the big question, Should I replace my Nexon EV with a Punch EV?

Apart from EV-specific things, Nexon triumphs Punch in every regard.

Most people will have Nexon as their only car or second car.

To those people, it makes sense to retain the Nexon itself.

If you get the Punch, it will feel like a downgrade.

But in my case, I'm lucky to have access to a multi-car garage of Figo 2nd gen Diesel, Hycross Hybrid, Carens Diesel AT, and Celerio AMT.

The former 3 are far better cruisers than the Nexon EV or the Punch EV.

So, I value the EV aspects more than the car aspects. Also, the usage of EVs would increase as my family members would also take them for trips which the Nexon couldn't do on a single charge. Thus, I'm planning to replace the Nexon with the punch.

However, I'm waiting for real-world range figures.

Also, I had done a painstaking OEM quality HID/LED upgrade on my Nexon making night rides much more stress-free. With Punch having fixed LEDs, they can't match my Nexon's lights nor can I swap them into the Punch.

For those who are planning to buy the Tiago EV, I'd recommend getting the Punch.

For those who are planning to buy the new Nexon EV or XUV 400, pure EV/ Born EVs are right around the corner. Curvv EV should launch in June. I'd suggest to wait for that.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Get on the highway and the Punch.ev is surprisingly capable. Cruising at highway speeds is not at all stressful for the motor. Getting up to cruising speeds is an easy affair and the absence of any sound means you will reach triple-digit speeds without realising it.

Driving the Tata Punch.ev Long Range

Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor in the Punch.ev Long Range puts out 121 BHP and 190 Nm of torque. You get a 35 kWh battery pack with the Long Range variant that gives the Punch.ev a claimed range of 421 km.

One of the biggest gripes we had with the regular Punch was that the petrol engine was underpowered and lacked “punch”. With the electric version, the hopes were high and Tata has stood up to those expectations by providing this 121 BHP motor. Push the engine start button with your foot on the brake pedal and the car is “Ready” to move as is displayed on the MID. There are four transmission modes to choose from: P, R, N and D. Engage D, lift your foot off the brake pedal and the car crawls forward. Since there’s no clutch, the car rolls off the line very smoothly and this is highly appreciable in heavy traffic conditions where you can drive with just the brake pedal.

Start driving with a light foot on the pedal and you will notice that the accelerator pedal’s response is linear and not snappy. Especially driving in Eco mode, the acceleration is very smooth and passengers will appreciate the jerk-free drive. There are no gearshifts or engine sounds which means that the driving experience is very refined. Light to medium throttle inputs are enough to keep up with the city traffic and close gaps to the vehicles in front. Floor the accelerator pedal and you'll be greeted with instant power/acceleration. This is the beauty of powerful electric motors. The car is quick and has abundant torque right from the get-go. Tata claims a 0-100 km/h time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 140 km/h, which are believable figures. You can easily make those quick overtakes in the city.

Get on the highway and the Punch.ev is surprisingly capable. Cruising at highway speeds is not at all stressful for the motor. Getting up to cruising speeds is an easy affair and the absence of any sound means you will reach triple-digit speeds without realising it (it's only when the speed warning chimes sound that you know you're doing 80 km/h and 120 km/h). The car feels very comfortable on the highway and you can cover good distances in the Punch.ev. Overtaking is also not an issue as you can just bury the accelerator pedal and you're off! The car doesn’t run out of breath in the middle of an overtake and you can easily get past most cars. Keep in mind that if you drive hard, the range drops drastically. This is also why you will see EVs that are driving long distances, stick to the middle lane and cruise at 80-100 km/h (which is the best cruising speed for the current lot of EVs).

There are 3 driving modes to choose from. They're mapped specifically for different driving styles. What’s appreciable is that the motor's characteristics are distinct in each mode.

City Mode: The default mode. The car always restarts in this mode, no matter what mode you last drove in. It's great for driving in the city as well as on the highway. Strikes a good balance between power and economy.

Eco Mode: The mode to engage when you want the maximum range. The throttle response is dumbed down, which results in a smoother drive in the city (less of that "torque-pull" effect). Power comes in more gradually when you ask for it. While there's enough grunt for day-to-day driving or cruising on the expressway, when you need to pull off a quick overtaking manoeuvre, you will want to engage one of the other modes.

Sport Mode: The mode when you really want to have fun. Floor the A-pedal in Sport mode and watch the traction control warning light flash in the instrument cluster. In this mode, the throttle response is sharper, and the car just feels more eager to get a move on. However, it can feel too peaky for city driving and also eats up the battery faster. Use "Sport" when you're looking for fun on expressway runs.

Regenerative Braking

There are 4 levels of regenerative braking which can be adjusted using the paddles placed behind the steering wheel. We absolutely love adjustable regen settings as we can tune them to suit our mood. On level 0, there is no regeneration. On levels 1 and 2, there's obviously lesser resistance when you lift off the accelerator pedal. Driving on level 3 enables maximum regeneration. Jaggu enjoyed driving on maximum regeneration mode. You can also do one-pedal driving in many situations. However, do keep in mind that the car will never come to a complete halt. It will keep crawling forward without any throttle input.

Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH)

There is no engine noise at all. The only sound coming is a faint whine from the electric motor at high revs. With no gearshifts & minimal mechanical parts, there are no jerks or vibrations. On the highway, tyre noise starts creeping into the cabin at 80 km/h. You'll hear it more because there is no engine sound to drown some of it out. Around 90-100 km/h, we could hear some wind noise. Again, more noticeable because there is no engine sound.

Range

Tata claims a range of 421 km with the 35 kWh battery pack. However, these numbers are very subjective and the real-life range solely depends on how you drive the car. ~300 km should be doable IMHO thanks to the better battery packaging. Can go lower, depending on how you use the accelerator. We await real-life reports from BHPian owners of this car.

Charging

The Punch.ev gets the industry-standard CCS 2 charging port. The Punch.ev with the 25 kWh battery pack is available with a 3.3 kW AC wall box charger that can charge the battery from 10-100% in 9.4 hours. You can opt for a 7.2 kW AC fast charger which can do the same in 3.6 hours. When on the road, you can choose a 50 kW DC fast charger to charge from 10% to 80% in 56 minutes.

The Long Range Punch.ev with the 35 kWh battery pack with the 3.3 kW AC wall box charger takes 13.5 hours to charge from 10-100%. The same on a 7.2 kW AC fast charger takes 5 hours. With a 50 kW DC fast charger, you can charge from 10 to 80% in 56 minutes. GTO thinks a 15A charger is all that 99% of owners will need - his article on the same.

Suspension

Ride Comfort

The Punch.ev comes with a McPherson strut suspension at the front and a twist beam suspension with coil springs at the rear just like the regular Punch. Like most EVs, the suspension tune is on a stiffer side thanks to the extra weight of the battery pack. However, the suspension tune is not bone-jarring. It is compliant and very much liveable. While you are always aware of the surface you are travelling on, the Punch.ev handles obstacles and potholes on the road very well. The suspension feels very robust and abuse-friendly.

You have 16" rims shod with 195/60 section tyres. Lower variants with the 185/70 R15 tyres will have a better ride due to taller tyre sidewalls. Further, the recommended tyre pressure is 34 PSI; you can drop it down while driving in the city for a cushier ride. The good thing about such a suspension tune is that the car doesn’t bounce around at 80-100 km/h. For a small crossover, it rides pretty nicely on the highway @ 100 km/h and feels stable.

Handling & Dynamics

We had mentioned in the Punch review that the suspension setup and chassis can handle a lot more than the 1.2 NA petrol has to offer. That problem has been sorted in the Punch.ev with the 121 BHP motor. The straight-line stability is satisfactory and the car doesn’t feel nervous even at 120 km/h. You can easily carry good speed around long curves and the car will hold its line well. Body roll is well controlled and thanks to the almost 50:50 weight distribution, the car doesn’t feel nervous during direction changes from one curve to another. We even tried a slalom course and the car managed to keep its composure. The only thing that holds you back are the low rolling resistance EV tyres. They squeal in protest whenever you try to push the car hard into corners.

Steering

The electric power steering is one of the nicer units around. It is light at city speeds and weighs up sufficiently as the speed increases. The EPS isn't lifeless and does give you some feel of what the front wheels are up to. That being said, the steering isn’t particularly sharp or precise. Enthusiasts will expect more feedback and a connected feel from the steering. There’s also a weird steering behaviour that we’ve noticed in some other Tata cars as well - the steering weight feels inconsistent. There is a point at ~70-80 km/h when the steering suddenly weighs up. The transition is very evident and can catch you off-guard at times.

Braking

While the Punch.ev comes with disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear, the Punch.ev Long Range gets an all-wheel disc brake setup. The brakes provide excellent stopping power. Emergency braking situations are handled well, and the car is brought to a halt from high speeds effectively. Besides, the car is equipped with ABS + EBD, corner stability control, disc brake wiping, and panic brake alert. The pedal feel is consistent and doesn’t take long to get used to.

Continue reading the discussion on the Tata Punch.ev on our forum.

The entire mechanical platform layer has been designed around the battery pack and hence, the integration of an EV powertrain has been more seamless.

Tata Punch.ev Pros

• A well-rounded EV package at an affordable price tag
• Punchy 121 BHP motor is enjoyable. 300 km real-world range is adequate for most people
• Zero emissions, cheap “fuel” costs, no gears, light controls & compact size make it an ideal city car
• Enjoyable 6-speaker Harman ICE. One of the better systems in this segment
• Sorted road manners & reassuring high speed stability
• Well-designed & practical cabin with enough space for 4 adults
• 366-liter boot is accommodating
• Loads of features such as ventilated seats, auto-dimming IRVM, multi-mode regen, cruise control, Arcade.ev apps, air purifier, wireless smartphone charging, sunroof and more
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, disc brakes all-round, ESP, electronic parking brake, auto hold, blind spot view monitor, hill descent control, SOS calling function, etc.

Tata Punch.ev Cons

• Fit, finish & interior quality in some areas have room for improvement
• Suspension has a firm tune (R16 variants). It is compliant & liveable, but you do feel bad roads
• The usual EV challenges (charging infrastructure, brand new tech could mean niggles, range anxiety)
• No spare tyre, you will have to make do with a puncture repair kit! Good luck cruising on highways without a spare
• Cabin width makes 4 adults welcome, not 5
• Some missing goodies such as a split rear seat, rear A/C vents, spare wheel…
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
• It's a brand-new car, so probability of issues & niggles is high

Read Team-BHP's detailed Tata Punch.ev Review.

The Tata Punch.ev has been positioned below the Nexon.ev and will rival the Citroen eC3.

Tata Motors has launched the first-ever Punch.ev in the Indian market. It is available in five variants with prices starting at Rs 10.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Tata Punch.ev looks similar to its ICE version. However, there are some design elements that make it easier to differentiate the EV from the Punch petrol. These include a cleaner front fascia with a blanked-out grille, a continuous LED light bar and an updated front bumper similar to the Nexon facelift. 

The rear though, hasn’t changed much. That being said, the Punch.ev does get new aero-designed alloy wheels and a charging port positioned at the front.

Inside, the Punch.ev gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control and a 2-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated Tata logo. The car also gets an electronic parking brake, a 360-degree camera, a blind spot monitor and a sunroof.

The Punch.ev is available with two battery options. These include a 25 kWh battery pack with an ARAI-certified range of 315 km. It powers an electric motor that makes 80 BHP and 114 Nm. 

The LR (Long Range) version comes with a 35 kWh unit that can cover 421 km on a single charge. It powers an electric motor with an output of 120 BHP and 190 Nm.

Tata Punch.ev ex-showroom prices:

• Smart- Rs 10.99 lakh
• Smart+ - Rs 11.49 lakh
• Adventure – Rs 11.99 lakh
• Adventure LR – Rs 12.99 lakh
• Empowered – Rs 12.79 lakh
• Empowered LR – Rs 13.99 lakh
• Empowered+ - Rs 13.29 lakh
• Empowered+ LR – Rs 14.49 lakh

The Tata Punch.ev will be launched on January 17, 2024. It will be positioned between the Tiago.ev and Nexon.ev.

Tata Motors has started dispatching the Punch.ev to dealerships across India. Here are some of the first images of the EV ahead of its launch, scheduled for January 17, 2024.

The overall design of the Punch.ev looks similar to the ICE version. However, it has a unique front fascia, featuring a blanked-out grille and an LED light bar. The front bumper and headlamp setup is similar to that of the Nexon facelift.

Tata Motors has also made some changes to the car's interior. The Punch.ev gets a floating touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrument cluster. It has a new air-conditioning module and a 2-spoke steering wheel that looks rather upmarket on a car of this size. The car also gets an electronic parking brake and a sunroof.

The Punch.ev is based on Tata's new 'acti.ev' platform. The new EV architecture can support AWD, RWD and FWD drivetrains and a 7.2 kW to 11 kW onboard charger for AC fast charging and DC fast charging up to 150 kW. Tata claims a 10% improvement in the energy density of its battery pack, and depending on its capacity, it can offer a range of 300-600 km.

Thanks to BHPian gauravdgr8 for sharing these images with other enthusiasts!

The Tata Punch.ev is based on the brand's latest 'acti.ev' platform.

Tata Motors has confirmed the launch date for the Punch.ev. The prices of the compact electric SUV will be announced on January 17, 2024.

The Tata Punch.ev is based on the brand's latest 'acti.ev' platform. The new skateboard architecture will underpin all future EVs from Tata Motors.

According to the company, the acti.ev platform can support AWD, RWD and FWD drivetrains and a 7.2 kW to 11 kW onboard charger for AC fast charging and DC fast charging up to 150 kW. Tata claims a 10% improvement in the energy density of its battery pack, and depending on its capacity, it can offer a range of 300-600 km.

In terms of its design, the Punch.ev gets a unique front fascia with an LED light bar and dual-tone alloy wheels. The interior of the car is based on Tata's latest design philosophy, incorporating a sleek dashboard with a floating touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster and a 2-spoke steering wheel.

Bookings for the Punch.ev already open. Customers can place their orders by paying a token amount of Rs 21,000.

The Punch.ev is the first electric car based on the new acti.ev architecture.

Tata Motors has unveiled its first Pure EV architecture called ‘active.ev’, which stands for ‘Advanced Connected Tech-Intelligent Electric Vehicle’. The new platform will underpin the brand’s future EVs.

The Punch.ev is the first model to be based on the new 'acti.ev' platform. Tata Motors is gearing up to launch the new electric B-SUV in the Indian market soon. In fact, bookings are now open and customers can place their orders by paying a token amount of Rs 21,000.

According to Tata Motors, the new acti.ev architecture is based on four key pillars: Performance, Technology, Modularity and Space Efficiency.

Tata claims a 10% improvement in the energy density of its battery pack. Depending on the capacity, the battery offers a range of 300-600 km. The acti.ev platform supports AWD, RWD and FWD drivetrain options and 7.2 kW to 11 kW onboard charger for AC fast charging and DC fast charging up to 150 kW - which can add around 100 km of range in just 10 minutes.

The acti.ev architecture supports multiple body styles that are designed to comply with future GNCAP and BNCAP safety protocols. It has a flat floor that helps maximise cabin space and storage, courtesy of an added frunk. It also helps lower the centre of gravity.

According to the carmaker, acti.ev is a scalable architecture having Level 2 ADAS capabilities and is Level 2+ ready. It supports Vehicle to Load (V2L) & Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) charging and 5G connectivity.

Speaking of connectivity, Tata has also announced its Arcade.ev in-car app suite based on a scalable cloud architecture. It promises superior connectivity with over-the-air updates.

It could be offered in Medium Range (MR) and Long Range (LR) variants just like the Tiago.ev and Nexon.ev.

According to a media report, Tata Motors is likely to unveil the Punch EV in India this week. The pure-electric version of the B-SUV will also be the brand’s first new model for 2024.

Reports suggest that the Punch EV will get two battery options: 25 kWh and 35 kWh. It could be offered in Medium Range (MR) and Long Range (LR) variants just like the Tiago.ev and Nexon.ev.

As per the latest rumours, the Punch EV will be equipped with ventilated front seats and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Lower variants though could get a smaller 7.0-inch touchscreen. The electric car will also get Tata’s new 2-spoke steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster and an electronic parking brake with disc brakes at all four corners.

The Punch EV will be based on the modified version of the ALFA platform. It is expected to feature an updated design inspired by the Nexon.ev. It could get a blanked-out grille with an LED light bar up front and new design alloy wheels, among other changes.

Source: Autocar India

The Punch EV is expected to get the same battery and electric motor combination as the Tiago EV.

The Tata Punch EV has been spotted testing once again. The latest spy images reveal new design details along with a few features that could be offered on the upcoming electric crossover.

The Punch EV is expected to get a Nexon facelift-like front fascia. As you can see, the test car has a redesigned front bumper with vertical headlamp pods on either side, an air dam with vertical slats and slim LED daytime running lights, that are likely to be connected by an LED light bar.

In the second image, you can see a larger touchscreen infotainment system. The sub-4 meter EV is also likely to get an auto-dimming IRVM, a digital instrument cluster, a 2-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated Tata logo and the new HVAC module with haptic touch switches.

The Punch EV is expected to get the same battery and electric motor combination as the Tiago EV. It will compete with the Citroen eC3 in the Indian market.

Source: MotorOctane

The Punch EV will be positioned between the Tiago EV and Nexon EV.

Tata Motors is gearing up to take on the Citroen eC3 with an all-electric version of the Punch. According to a media report, the Punch EV could be launched by late October.

The Punch EV will be positioned between the Tiago EV and Nexon EV. The electric crossover will reportedly be offered as an alternative to the Tigor EV. It will use Tata's Ziptron powertrain. It could get multiple battery options offering a range of around 200-300 km on a single charge.

Spy images suggest that the styling of the Punch EV will be similar to the ICE version. It will carry forward the rugged styling with squared-off wheel arches and C-pillar-mounted rear door handles. It is expected to get a blanked-off grille and newly designed alloy wheels.

The Punch EV is expected to get several interior updates, including a 2-spoke steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Source: Autocar India