India’s Tata Motors launches Punch sub-compact SUV for Dh27,000

Indian automobile major Tata Motors has launched its first sub-compact SUV - Punch - with a price tag of Rs. 5.49 lakhs (approximately Dh 27,000). The Punch, which would sit below the Nexon crossover in the company’s product line up, comes with a 1.2 litre petrol engine mated to either a manual or an automatic transmission.

As an increasing number of Indian motorists are looking to switch from small cars and sedans to SUVs, the segment is now a highly competitive one. The Punch will find stiff competition from the likes of Hyundai’s Venue, Kia’s Sonet, Renault’s Kiger and the home-grown KUV100 from Mahindra.

Tata says despite its diminutive size, the Punch is a capable utility vehicle with tall seating, a high ground clearance of 190 mm, cladding on doors, wheel arches and door sills, and a water wading capacity of 370mm.

The Tata Punch comes with a minimalistic interior, which can be customised from a selection of personalization packs to suit the owner’s lifestyle.

The micro SUV is built on Tata’s ALFA architecture, which also underpins Altroz hatchback. Since the Altroz has scored a 5-Star rating in Global NCAP tests, the Punch is also expected to offer solid safety credentials. Tata already mentions extensive use of high strength steel, dual airbags, ABD, brake sway control, child seat Isofix anchors and rear parking cameras among its safety attributes.

Tata Motors design studios in India, UK, and Italy collaborated to develop the Punch, which has taken obvious design cues from its popular bigger brothers, the Harrier and the Nexon.

The new Punch can be booked via Tata Motors’ website and across its showrooms in India for a starting price of Rs. 549,000 (Dh27,000 approx.)