Tata H2X concept, which was first showcased at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and debuted in the pre-production guise at the 2020 Auto Expo, now finally has an official name. The homegrown carmaker has announced that its much-anticipated micro-SUV will be called the Tata Punch. Earlier, it was expected to be named Hornbill.
The new Tata Punch will be positioned below the Nexon in the carmaker’s SUV lineup. However, unlike the Nexon sub-4-meter SUV that features crossover-like styling, the production-spec Tata HBX (PUNCH) has a boxy & butch design. In fact, it retains most of the concept’s styling.
Tata Punch will be the second model to be based on the brand's ALFA (Agile Light Flexible Advanced Architecture) platform. It flaunts Tata's Impact 2.0 design language. That said, its front end takes inspiration from the Harrier mid-sized SUV, featuring an X-shaped dual-tone bumper and split-headlamp setup. However, its grille is somewhat similar to the Nexon facelift to which the brand calls the Humanity Line grille.
The side profile of the Tata Punch possesses a boxy layout with a strong shoulder line and muscular haunches above the squared wheel arch, which in conjunction with the prominent black cladding around the lower portion of the car, gives it a proper SUV-like look. Completing the overall design are the dual-tone alloy wheels (probably of 16-inches) and white-colored sloping roof & ORVMs.
In terms of dimensions, the new Tata micro-SUV is likely to be 3,840 mm long, 1,822 mm wide, and 1,635 mm tall. It is expected to have a wheelbase of 2,450mm.
The interior of the car is yet to be revealed, but the earlier spy shots have already confirmed that it will also look similar to its pre-production version, featuring a 7-inch floating touchscreen infotainment unit and a semi-digital instrument cluster. You can also expect Tata Punch to get features like auto climate control, push start/stop button, iRA connected car technology, cruise control, ambient lighting, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, dual-front airbags, ABS with EBD, cornering stability, parking sensors with reverse camera, etc.
The Tata Punch is expected to get multiple engines and transmission options. To start with, there will be a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine (86PS/113Nm), coupled to either a 5-speed manual or an AMT. The other engine options are expected to include 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol (110PS/140Nm) and 1.2-liter diesel engines (90PS/200Nm). All these motors are also found underneath the hood of the Tata Altroz. The brand could also introduce its all-electric version at a later stage.
Tata Punch is expected to launch in the coming weeks, with prices starting from around Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom). It will compete against Mahindra KUV100 NXT, Maruti Suzuki Ignis, and the upcoming Hyundai Casper (AX1).
