Tata Punch another 'Punch' from Tata motors

Tata’s upcoming micro SUV, which was initially called the HBX, is now officially called the Punch. The micro SUV, which will sit below the Nexon in the carmaker's lineup, takes plenty of design inspiration from the Harrier. Also, it retains the majority of the elements from the HBX concept which was displayed at the 2020 Auto Expo. 

The HBX is expected to be priced from Rs 5.5 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards. It will compete against the Mahindra KUV100 NXT, Maruti Suzuki Ignis, and the Hyundai AX1 micro SUV (Casper).

The Tata Punch will be powered by an 86PS/113Nm 1.2-litre petrol engine (from the Altroz). It should be offered with a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT. It could also come with an all-electric powertrain at a later stage.

Tata should pack the Punch with features such as a 7-inch touchscreen system, a semi-digital instrument cluster, automatic air conditioning, steering-mounted audio controls, keyless entry with push-button start, and all four power windows. Safety should be taken care of by dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors with camera.

Based on the same ALFA platform as the Altroz, the Punch is said to have a smaller wheelbase than the hatchback and going by what is considered standard in the segment, the vehicle is expected to be around 3850mm. The nose is akin to the Harrier with sleek LEDs on the top and a tri-arrow design where the headlamps will be placed. The imposing bumpers hint at aggressive body cladding on the production model. Tata, at the time of unveiling the concept car, said that the wheels and tyres on the production-spec car would be toned down and from spy images; we can see 15-inch units across the range.

Once you look past all the accessories and garnish in the cabin, you can tell that the Punch, in its top-spec models, will get a segment standard feature list. This includes button start, cruise control, climate control, semi-digital instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment with floating display, height adjustment for the driver’s seat, rear armrest with cup holders and a full black colour scheme cabin.

It’s expected to be offered with Tata’s 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 84bhp/113Nm and can be had with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automated manual. We also expect a CNG option to be made available once the rest of the Tata range has got it.

When it arrives, the Punch will enter into the newly formed micro SUV segment and will rival against the likes of the Ford Freestyle, Mahindra KUV100 and the Maruti Suzuki Ignis. We expect Tata to price the Punch hbxin the range of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh.

Mahindra XUV 700 another iconic SUV

Mahindra XUV 700

Mahindra has launched its new mid-size SUV, the XUV700, from Rs 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Prices of select entry-level 5-seater variants are out at the moment while that of others will be revealed shortly. Deliveries are slated to begin later. It is the carmaker’s first model to sport the new 'Twin Peaks’ logo and gets a sophisticated design language that’s still in line with its predecessor, the XUV500.

Inside, it gets a 10.25-inch twin-screen setup for the digital driver’s display and the touchscreen infotainment system (which features Mahindra’s latest AdrenoX infotainment software and connected tech), along with Alexa AI connectivity and a Sony 3D sound system with roof-mounted speakers.

The XUV700 is powered by two engines: a 200PS 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 185PS 2.2-litre diesel, with both manual and automatic transmission options along with front- and all-wheel drivetrains. It will be offered in two broad trims: MX and AX. It can be had in 5- or 7- seater configurations.

It competes against the Hyundai Alcazar, MG Hector Plus, and Tata Safari.

The XUV700 comes with two powertrains: a 200PS/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel developing up to 185PS and 450Nm. Both engines can be specced with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission. As standard, the SUV comes with a front-wheel drivetrain, however, you can opt for an all-wheel drivetrain as well. The diesel engine gets four drive modes: Zip, Zap, Zoom, and Custom (Individual).The XUV700 comes with a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with Mahindra’s AdrenoX infotainment software), a Sony 3D sound system with roof-mounted speakers, Alexa AI connectivity, high beam assist, and personalised voice safety alerts. Other feature highlights include a powered driver’s seat with memory function, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, cruise control, keyless entry with push-button start, and ambient lighting. Safety features consist of seven airbags, ABS with EBD, a tyre pressure monitor, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, electronic stability control, and driver fatigue warning. It also gets segment-first features like level-1 autonomous driving tech with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.