Tata Motors is poised to additional solidify its dominance within the Indian passenger EV market with the introduction of the all-new Punch EV that neatly slots in between the range-topping Nexon EV and the entry-level Tiago EV. The Punch EV is Tata’s fourth electrical providing, however crucially, it’s obtained the potential to turn into India’s bestselling EV. Why? For one, it’s an SUV – the physique fashion that everybody is in love with – it’s primarily based on the wildly standard petrol-engine Punch, it is beautifully specced, aggressively priced (Rs 10.99 lakh-15.49 lakh), and has completely no direct competitors. On paper, the Punch EV appears a sure-shot winner, however is it as spectacular on the street? 

Tata Punch EV platform 

Tata Motors has utilized the identical Nexon electrification components to the Punch, which is to take the ICE model, give it a brand new and distinctly EV face, and pack it with extra options and tech. But there’s one large distinction: the Punch EV is the primary Tata to be constructed on the corporate’s Acti.ev structure, a complete re-engineering of the unique ICE platform for pure EV utility. Unlike the Nexon EV’s ICE platform, which underwent smaller modifications within the curiosity of attending to market shortly, the Punch EV will get a much more complete do-over. Tata Motors has reengineered the ground to make it flat and has given it a wider recess to accommodate the centrally mounted battery pack. While in lots of instances an underslung battery lowers floor clearance, with the electrical Punch it’s increased. Tata engineers have raised the ground (by 20mm), so floor clearance stands at speedbreaker-conquering 190mm – up 3mm from the ICE Punch. 

Another large benefit of the brand new Acti.ev structure is that the battery pack itself acts as a harassed member and contributes to the torsional stiffness of the chassis, which, within the case of the Punch EV, is 30 % increased than the ICE mannequin. A stiff and inflexible chassis is at all times fascinating as a result of not solely does it enhance crashworthiness but it surely has additionally allowed for softer damper settings for improved journey consolation with out compromising physique management. 

The spring charges are somewhat stiffer than the ICE Punch to compensate for the rise in weight, which is 320kg within the case of the long-range model and has a kerb weight of 1,340kg. The customary mannequin with the smaller and lighter battery pack is round 100kg lighter. The brakes have additionally been marginally improved with heavier-duty calipers and discs on the rear (drums on the 82hp), however like with all EVs, the regeneration modes enormously help within the general braking efficiency

The brakes have additionally been marginally improved with heavier-duty calipers and drums on the rear, however like with all EVs, the regeneration modes enormously help within the general braking efficiency. 

Tata Punch EV vary, battery, charging

The Punch EV comes with two battery sizes – the usual variant will get a 25kWh pack, while the long-range model will get 35kWh. Tata Motors claims a spread of 315km and 421km for the usual and long-range variations, respectively. With Punch EV’s Acti.ev structure optimised for environment friendly packaging, you’d have anticipated a much bigger battery pack however the limitation right here is the ICE model’s brief 2,445mm wheelbase, which has a direct bearing on battery measurement. Also, the Punch EV makes use of the identical cylindrical LFP cells as within the Nexon EV; these aren’t very area environment friendly however they’re a tried-and-tested type and chemistry, and regionally sourced too, making the battery pack – singularly the most costly element of an EV – fairly cost-effective.  

The Punch will get a single CCS2 charging port, which is the business customary. The firm claims that on a 50kW DC quick charger, the battery may be topped up from 10 % to 80 % in 56 minutes, which isn’t very quick by trendy EV requirements. You additionally get a 3.3kW transportable charger – good for charging wherever you discover a 15A plug or a 7.2kW AC quick charger that may be put in in your house or wherever you want. 

Tata Punch EV design 

The common petrol Punch was fairly a looker and the Punch EV seems even higher. Design adjustments primarily are confined to the nostril with the grille blanked out and the flap for the charging port smack within the center. The LED gentle strip that runs throughout the bonnet is the brand new signature for all Tata EVs and appears fairly distinctive as does the headlamp cluster housings that stand proud of the decrease sides of the entrance bumper. The deep chin has an air consumption and a scuff plate completes what’s a really distinguished face. In reality, the nostril isn’t too dissimilar from the Nexon EV, which makes use of related design cues.

From the aspect, there’s no change and the sculpted flanks, excessive beltline and pillar-mounted rear door deal with are all carried over. Tyre measurement, too, is identical because the petrol, the Punch EV rides on 16-inch wheels (15-inch ones for decrease variants), which look a bit misplaced inside the hefty wheel arches.

The rear can also be closely sculpted and the tail-lights with arrow-like components is one other design contact that distinguishes the Punch. And if a inexperienced registration plate isn’t sufficient to shout out its EV credentials, Tata Motors has the Punch EV title boldly lettered throughout the tailgate. 

Tata Punch EV inside, options 

Taking centre stage within the cabin are two 10.2-inch screens, that are full of options and tech. The central infotainment display screen hosts the Arcade.ev suite of 17 apps, which incorporates Amazon, music, video games, podcasts and OTT streaming. You additionally get wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to wi-fi telephone charging, in fact.

 

The digital instrument cluster, too, is very configurable and there’s no dearth of knowledge, which incorporates information out of your related telephone, navigation and likewise driving information like a histogram exhibiting you the car’s energy stream. The solely bother right here is a number of the graphics like the ability stream animation are approach too small to see simply. 

The top-end Empowered+ variant will get tools you discover solely in cars a phase or two increased, like a crisp 360-degree digital camera, blindspot monitoring, leatherette seats, that are cooled, an digital parking brake with auto maintain, an air air purifier, auto wipers and an auto-dimming rear view. There’s additionally a ‘Hey Tata’ voice assistant configured to take over 200 voice instructions in six languages and the Alexa, Siri and Google assistants too. 

In reality, the Punch EV is in addition to geared up because the Nexon EV and just a few options are lacking like V2V and V2L charging, and configurable ambient lighting. The layered dashboard seems stable and the switches and buttons have a pleasant heft to them however look intently and also you’ll discover a lot of iffy bits. The plastic high quality isn’t nice and neither is the end of the excessively used piano black end, which in time will choose up scratches. 

The touch-sensitive buttons on the all-black decrease console are usually not well-defined and to function a few of them takes your eyes off the street. However, the most important bugbear continues to be the rotary drive controller, which is infuriatingly sluggish to reply and generally doesn’t have interaction should you don’t have a agency foot on the brake pedal. 

Tata Punch EV inside area, consolation

The Punch is a compact compact SUV within the sense that it sits in a phase beneath the Nexon. Just 3,857mm lengthy and 1,742mm vast, the cabin is expectedly cosy however Tata Motors has executed an impressive job of constructing the seats very snug. The entrance buckets are beneficiant even for 6-footers and the rear seat too is especially well-shaped with terrific under-thigh assist due to a beneficiant squab and a high-seating place, which compensates for the raised flooring. As a end result, you don’t sit in that typical ‘knees-up’ place you expertise in most EVs. The trade-off is decreased headroom as a result of elevated seat peak, and this concern is exacerbated within the sunroof-equipped cars, which have decrease roof liners. Legroom, too, is briefly provide and, consequently, the rear seat is finest just for brief individuals. 

The 366-litre boot is kind of beneficiant and deep sufficient to stack in two massive baggage, however there’s no spare tyre and no matter little space for storing there’s below the boot flooring is used for the charging cable, puncture restore equipment and instruments. There is a small frunk, too, which ought to have ideally housed the charging cable however you should utilize it to retailer some further small gadgets.

 

Tata Punch EV efficiency, journey and dealing with

Tata Motors euphoric rise within the Indian EV market has masked to an ideal extent its one large weak point – inside combustion engines. And although the Punch, which sells round 14,000 models a month, defies that assumption, there’s no getting away from the truth that the very odd and underpowered 1.2 three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol is the weakest level of the bundle. But now with the Punch EV, that weak point isn’t just gone in a single fell swoop however is changed with what has turned out to be this little SUV’s largest energy – 122hp of sturdy, easy, silent and seamless electrical energy. It’s the identical motor because the Nexon EV’s, while the usual variant with the 25kWh battery will get a much less highly effective 82hp motor. 

The Punch EV will get off the road with ease and effortlessness that defines the electrical breed. It gathers tempo progressively and quickly and also you’re by no means left wanting for extra energy. You get three driving modes – Sport, City and Eco – every of which is mapped and calibrated to swimsuit totally different driving types and necessities. Sport mode, which shoves the Punch EV from 0-100kph in a claimed 9.5 seconds, is in fact probably the most thrilling and the one to make use of whenever you wish to have some enjoyable. The Punch EV whisks you to some severe speeds with out breaking a sweat or making a noise about it in true EV trend. There are not any jerks, no vibration and other than a little bit of street noise at excessive speeds, the cabin is fairly silent.

However, that instantaneous response of most torque being unleashed from a standstill has been dialled down and that’s a disgrace as a result of that neck-flexing thrust you get off the road each time you flooring your proper foot is what makes driving an EV addictive. 

Tata Motors engineers say which have intentionally softened the response to make the ability supply extra gradual, avoiding a sudden and probably startling surge of energy. While this will cater to the common driver’s consolation, it does dilute the thrust that lovers sometimes crave when accelerating in an electrical car. Despite having different modes appropriate for on a regular basis driving eventualities, the query arises: why compromise the depth of Sport mode for a clique of lovers who search the utmost efficiency from their electrical autos?

City mode, in the meantime, is ideal for ambling alongside in visitors and, fairly frankly, the default mode homeowners will use for 90 % of their time behind the wheel. Eco mode isn’t essentially an emergency mode to offer you important further kilometres of vary whenever you’re low on cost. In reality, Eco too is kind of useable in on a regular basis visitors and it is solely whenever you flooring the pedal that you just really feel a definite lack of grunt. We really feel the driving modes may have been extra sharply outlined to make a lot of the totally different driving eventualities skilled by homeowners. 

The 4 ranges of regenerative braking are higher outlined in that sense which may be simply adjusted by way of the steering paddles. Level 0 has no regeneration and feels probably the most pure whenever you coast. Level 3 or most regeneration is fairly aggressive and provides 0.18g of deceleration, which in visitors is nice for one-pedal driving however the in-built creep perform means you’ll have to use the brakes to convey the car to a whole cease. 

Ride consolation is an space the place the Punch EV has nailed it. The softer dampers have made the journey extra pliant and supple and the Punch EV soaks up the worst of roads with the authority of a a lot greater SUV. At low speeds, sharp edges do thud by however that’s extra a perform of the 195/60 R 16 tyre sidewalls to spherical them off. The increased profile 185/70 R 15 tyres on 15-inch rims fitted on the lower-spec cars ought to truly be extra snug. 

Straight-line stability once more is excellent and even by lengthy, sweeping corners, the Punch EV feels properly bolted to the tarmac. The steering is gentle, although not very communicative and lacks the fluency you discover in different Tata cars, particularly the Nexon. You get a little bit of torque steer below laborious acceleration and there’s an inconsistent really feel across the straight-ahead place. The brakes are fairly good and encourage confidence, although within the degree 3 regen, you may really feel the distinct transition from the regen braking of the motor to the mechanical friction of the brakes. 

On a purpose-built monitor strewn with rocks, ditches and potholes, the Punch EV’s floor clearance and beneficial angles of strategy and departure had been beautifully highlighted. That it has real off-road functionality is a bonus. 

Tata Punch EV value, verdict

The Punch EV excels in its transition to electrical energy and as an city runabout it’s laborious to beat. It’s obtained all of the substances, a powerful motor to scoot by visitors, excessive floor clearance and a superb suspension to make one of the best of the worst roads in any metropolis. The small footprint and excessive driving place make threading this compact SUV by visitors totally straightforward. What’s to not like? The cabin has a number of tough edges, a number of the controls lack a little bit of finesse, however the largest weak point is the dearth of area within the rear seat. As a household car for 4 or 5 adults, it’s possible you’ll wish to stretch for the larger Nexon EV, however for the person and as an city runabout, the beautifully geared up and beautifully priced Punch EV has completely no competitors. Tata Motors has knocked or quite punched this one clear out of the park.

Also see:

Tata Punch EV video evaluate

Tata Punch EV variant-wise options defined