Tata Punch facelift spotted testing

The facelifted version of the Tata Punch has been in the testing phase since the start of the year. Test mules of the compact SUV were last spotted in May. This week, new spy shots emerged as the Punch facelift was spotted in the middle of another road test in Pune. Tata Motors is planning to launch the facelifted model by the end of the year.

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Tata Punch facelift: What to expect?

The Punch facelift will borrow design elements from its all-electric counterpart and the newer crop of cars from Tata. The tailgate of the test mule had a flatter form, while the LED tail lamps appeared to be connected by a sleek light bar. Up front, the design of the LED headlamps and DRLs will be similar to the Punch EV. The grille pattern will be tweaked. The compact SUV will retain its profile but will get a new design for the alloy wheels.

Inside, the Punch facelift will carry forward the layout of its electric sibling. It will feature a 2-spoke steering wheel with integrated audio and cruise controls and an illuminated Tata logo. The new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system will be compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Supplementing this display will be a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Other features will include a 360-degree camera, a voice-assisted electric sunroof, rear AC vents, an engine start/stop button, fast USB charging, and more.

Things will remain the same under the hood as the Punch facelift will retain the engine powering the current model. This 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine generates a maximum power output of 86hp and 113Nm of torque. It can be mated to a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox. In a CNG configuration, the output numbers of this engine drop down to 73hp and 103Nm. The current CNG model of the SUV comes with a manual transmission only. This will change on the facelift, as Tata will add an automatic gearbox for the CNG powertrain as well.

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Final Thoughts

Prices for the current version of the Punch start at Rs 6.20 lakh and go up to Rs 10.32 lakh. We expect the facelifted model to cost a small premium. It could fetch up to Rs 6.70 lakh. Upon launch, the compact SUV will continue to rival the Hyundai Exter, Nissan Magnite, Citroen C3, Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor, Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Skoda Kylaq, and Maruti Suzuki Brezza in India.