Tata Punch EV revealed; bookings open

Tata Motors' first new model for 2024 has been revealed – the Punch EV is the brand’s fourth all-electric car and second electric SUV. Bookings for the new Punch EV are now open and can be made at Tata’s new EV-only outlets, select standard showrooms, and via the company’s online portal for an amount of Rs 21,000. This is also the carmaker's first model on the Gen 2 EV architecture, or acti.ev as Tata calls it. 

1. Punch EV draws design inspiration from Nexon EV 
2. Gets ventilated seats, 10.25-inch touchscreen and instrument cluster 
3. Bookings open for Rs 21,000 

Tata Punch EV exterior

This is our first good look at the Punch EV and that the updated grille and bumper design are similar to the new Nexon EV is obvious. In essence, it looks very much like a scaled-down Nexon EV. 

There is a full-width light bar at the front of the bonnet and a split headlamp setup, where the main headlamp cluster is very similar to the Nexon EV. This electric SUV is also the first Tata EV to have a charging socket at the front. The lower bumper is also completely new – it gets new vertical slats on the plastic cladding and a faux silver skid plate. 

At the rear, it gets a Y-shaped brake light setup, a roof-mounted spoiler and a dual-tone bumper design. The Punch EV gets a new set of 16-inch alloys with disc brakes on all four wheels unlike the ICE Punch that gets a drum setup at the rear. It is also the first Tata EV to feature a frunk. 

Tata Punch EV range, battery, powertrain

While Tata has debuted the all-new acti.ev architecture that the Punch is based on, it hasn't shared specific technical details of the Punch EV yet. What we know is that there are two variants on offer –Standard and Long Range – which, as we reported, are expected to have 25kWh and 35kWh battery packs, respectively. The former only gets a 3.3kW AC charger, while the latter additionally gets a 7.2kW AC charger. It can also support DC fast charging. 

This modular platform is said to deliver a range between 300km to 600km, depending on the model and battery. So, for the Punch EV, a range between 300km to 400km seems reasonable. We await more details on power and torque figures, although we know it gets multi-mode brake regeneration. 

Tata Punch EV interior, features

On the inside, the Punch EV gets a layered dashboard design with the highlight being the new 10.25-inch infotainment screen. Also new is a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and the illuminated two-spoke steering wheel borrowed from larger Tata SUVs. Lower variants, however, will get a 7.0-inch infotainment screen and digital cluster. The jewelled rotary drive selector from the Nexon EV will only be available on the Long Range variants. 

In addition to all above-mentioned features, the top-spec Punch EV will also include a 360-degree camera, leatherette seats, electronic parking brake with auto hold, connected car tech, a wireless charger, ventilated front seats, cruise control, and the new Arcade.ev app suite. A sunroof is also available as an option. A few of these features are firsts for a vehicle of this size. In terms of safety features, it gets six airbags, ABS and ESC as standard, blind view monitor, three-point seat belts for all seats, ISOFIX mounts and an SOS function. 

Tata Punch EV: trims and variants 

The standard Punch EV is available in five trims – Smart, Smart+, Adventure, Empowered and Empowered+ – while the Long Range gets three trims: Adventure, Empowered and Empowered. Both variants also get five dual-tone paint options to choose from. 

The Tata Punch EV is squarely aimed at the Citroen eC3. It will be positioned between the Nexon EV MR and Tiago EV MR, which means prices could range between Rs 10 lakh-13 lakh, ex-showroom. 

What do you think of the Punch EV's design resembling the Nexon EV so closely? Let us know in the comments below.