The 2026 Tata Punch facelift expands its powertrain line-up with two new additions: a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine and an automated manual transmission (AMT) option for its CNG variant. This makes the Punch one of the few cars in India to offer a factory-fitted CNG kit paired with an automatic gearbox. Tata’s iCNG range now spans all variants, priced between Rs 6.85 lakh and Rs 10.77 lakh (ex-showroom). We’ve put the Tata Punch iCNG with the 5-speed AMT through our efficiency tests to see how it performs.
- Gets twin CNG tanks placed beneath the boot floor
- Misses drive modes and an automatic stop-start feature
Tata Punch CNG-AMT real-world fuel efficiency explained
The Punch iCNG is powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, paired with a 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). In CNG mode, the engine produces 73.4hp and 103Nm, whereas in petrol mode, it develops 87.8hp and 115Nm. We conducted this test with the vehicle in CNG mode throughout.
The Punch iCNG delivered 18.87km/kg in the city and 25.36km/kg on the highway.
While refilling the empty 60-litre CNG tank, we managed to fill 7.9kg of CNG, although this can vary depending on pump pressure and ambient temperature. With an overall average efficiency of 22.12km/kg, you can expect a range of 175-185km on a full tank of CNG.
Previously, we’ve tested the Punch iCNG with the 5-speed manual transmission, which was more efficient by 1.83km/kg in the city and 5.64km/kg on the highway than the 5-speed AMT.
Autocar India’s fuel-efficiency testing
Since CNG tanks are more difficult to fill consistently due to variables such as ambient temperature and pump pressure, we did not use our standard tankful-to-tankful methodology. Instead, for our real-world tests, we emptied the CNG tank and refilled it with 2kg of CNG. We then drove the vehicle in city conditions until the gas was exhausted. The same process was repeated for the highway run. Throughout both tests, the Punch iCNG was driven exclusively in CNG mode.
Before our real-world fuel efficiency tests, we maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. The car is driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in the car, and the aircon is set to 22deg C in full-auto mode. We operate other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and wipers, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns.
Uday Singh
Dipan Sur
Dhruv Dhaka
