Tata Punch CNG launched with strong mileage and top safety features – check price and details

What the Punch iCNG is — engine, gearbox and mileage

The Punch iCNG uses Tata’s 1.2‑litre, 3‑cylinder Revotron petrol engine in a bi‑fuel setting. In simple terms: the car can run on petrol or CNG. The important numbers are these:

• CNG mode: ~73–73.4 PS and 103 Nm of torque.
• Petrol mode: ~86–88 PS and ~113–115 Nm (higher peak power).
• Transmission: 5‑speed manual — there’s no AMT with the CNG setup.
• ARAI-certified CNG economy: ~26.99 km/kg.

So what does that mean for you? In CNG mode you will feel a drop in peak power compared with petrol. That’s normal for factory-fitted CNG systems. The Punch iCNG focuses on lower running costs and smart packaging rather than outright speed.

Price and variant details (launch ex-showroom Delhi)

Tata’s official press release dated August 4, 2023 listed the ex-showroom Delhi prices for the Punch iCNG range. Remember: these are launch ex-showroom figures — state taxes, registration and dealer charges will affect the on-road price in your city.

If you want current on-road pricing for your city, tell me your city or ZIP and I can pull the latest numbers for you.

Safety first: how Tata protects CNG cars and occupants

One reason I like the Punch iCNG is Tata’s focus on safety. The Punch is built on the ALFA architecture and scored a Global NCAP 5‑star adult occupant rating at launch. For the CNG version, Tata added specific safety features for gas systems:

• Micro-switch to disable ignition during refuelling.
• Thermal‑incident protection that cuts gas supply and vents gas if temperatures rise dangerously.
• Protected valve routing and a 6‑point mounting system for the twin cylinders to improve crash safety at the rear.
• Careful packaging so tanks sit under the luggage floor rather than eating into boot volume.

Those measures mean you get a vehicle that’s not just economical, but also engineered with real safety thought for CNG operation.

Packaging, boot space and real-world usability

Tata uses a twin‑cylinder iCNG layout under the luggage floor. The two smaller tanks together give about ~60 L water equivalent capacity (roughly two 30 L cylinders). The big advantage is that the boot stays usable. Punch’s boot remains around ~210 L, so you don’t lose much space for daily errands.

I’ve driven small cars with single large cylinders before — the twin-cylinder approach feels smarter. You can still carry weekend luggage or groceries with ease. The Punch’s compact footprint also makes it easy to park and drive in the city.

Features and real costs: what you’ll actually notice

The Punch iCNG carries many features from the petrol model. Depending on the variant, you can get things like:

• Voice‑assisted electric sunroof
• 7″ Harman touchscreen with Android Auto / Apple CarPlay
• Automatic projector headlamps and LED DRLs
• 16″ diamond‑cut alloy wheels and rain‑sensing wipers
• Height‑adjustable driver seat

Let’s look at a simple, hypothetical running-cost example so you can see the point of CNG:

If CNG costs ₹60/kg and the Punch iCNG returns the ARAI figure of 26.99 km/kg, the fuel cost works out to about ₹2.22 per km (60 ÷ 26.99). By comparison, if petrol costs ₹100/l and you get ~17 km/l in mixed driving, petrol would cost ~₹5.88 per km (100 ÷ 17). That’s a rough example, but it shows how much you can save on fuel — especially if most of your driving is city or regular commutes.

Of course, real numbers change with traffic, driving style and local fuel prices. Real‑world CNG figures can be a bit lower than ARAI tests — but you still usually see substantial savings versus petrol.

Performance and tradeoffs

Let me be clear: the Punch iCNG is not about sporty performance. In fact, in CNG mode peak power and torque drop compared to petrol. If you want the quickest acceleration or top speed, petrol is better. What you get with the Punch iCNG is:

• Lower running costs per kilometer
• Smart tank packaging so family life isn’t affected
• Factory‑integrated safety systems designed for CNG

For many buyers who do a lot of city miles, that tradeoff is worthwhile. You save money and keep a practical, safe small SUV.

Availability, buying tips and closing examples

The Punch iCNG is offered across the Punch line-up — from entry to higher trims. Final equipment and exact pricing do depend on the variant you pick, state taxes and local dealer offers. If you’re comparing with other CNG options, try to test‑drive both petrol and CNG modes (you can usually ask the dealer) and see how the car feels with your typical load.

One real example: a commuter who drives 40 km daily could save a lot. Using our earlier cost example (~₹2.22/km on CNG vs ~₹5.88/km on petrol), 40 km a day for 22 working days could mean monthly fuel savings in the thousands of rupees. Over a year, that’s significant.