TATA PUNCH

Could Tata’s micro-SUV, the Punch, be the most authentic of its kind so far?

- SIMRAN RASTOGI

Type 1,199 3-cylinder petrol

LxWxH (mm) 3,827x1,945x1,615

Max power 86PS@6,000rpm

Price ₹10.31-10.99 lakh, on road Mumbai

Max torque 113Nm@3,300rpm

+ Proportions, space, features, easy-to-drive

- Relaxed powertrain, pricey

After a long wait (and delays due to the pandemic), the Tata Punch micro SUV is finally here and like any SUV worth its ground clearance, it’s drummed up a whole lot of interest. As a reminder, we first saw it as the H2X concept at the 2019 Geneva auto show, followed by the HBX concept at the 2020 Auto Expo, with countless prototypes spotted on road, back when we thought it would be called the Rhino, or the Hornbill. At launch, the 2021 Tata Punch will be available in petrol only, powered by the 1.2-litre, 3-cyl Revotron motor that also does duty in the Tata Tiago and Tata Altroz, with the option of a 5-speed manual transmission or 5-speed AMT. We expect pricing to sit between the Rs 4.5-7.5 lakh mark (exshowroom). Should you be interested in the Punch?

What is it, exactly?