Tata Motors has pulled the wraps off the production-spec iteration of the HBX Concept, which is set to be launched around the festive season. Tata's upcoming micro-SUV has now been christened the Punch.
Tata first showcased the HBX concept at the Auto Expo last year, alongside the Sierra concept and the H7X concept. Both the Sierra and the H7X pretty much overshadowed the micro SUV at the Expo. The H7X was later launched in its production form as the Safari.
With the Safari now already on sale, Tata has once again shifted focus to the HBX concept, which has been christened the Punch. In an official video, Tata has also given us a glimpse of what the car will look like. Just like all other cars in Tata’s stable, the Punch, too, follows the Impact Design 2.0 philosophy. It doesn’t come as a surprise, then, that some key design elements have been borrowed from its larger siblings. Upfront, it gets a Nexon-like glossy black single slat grille with a honey-comb groove on one side of the grille. The sleek LED DRLs and the headlight unit below are reminiscent of the Harrier and the Safari. The Punch gets a large black bumper with massive air dams and circular fog lamps. The bonnet seems tall, and the front-end has an e stance. In fact, if your squint your eyes a little, you might just observe an uncanny resemblance with the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso. Along the side, the Punch gets diamond-cut alloy wheels, which have been wrapped with Apollo tyres. Other design highlights and features include projector headlamps with LED DRLs, turn indicators on the ORVMs, roof rails, and C-pillar mounted rear door handles.
Tata Motors has not yet shared any images of the rear-end or the interior of the Punch. It is, however, safe to assume that the interior, too, will be more or less identical to the concept form. It is likely to feature a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a semi-digital instrument cluster. The Punch is also expected to offer some premium features like button start, climate control, reverse parking camera, and more.
Based on the ALFA-ARC platform, the Punch is expected to be offered with two 1.2-litre mills – the naturally aspirated unit from the Tiago and Tigor and the turbo petrol from the larger Altroz. Tata will offer the Punch with a 5-speed manual as well as an AMT option.
Tata will bring in the Punch around the festive season. Positioned below the Nexon, the micro SUV will lock horns with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ignis. The Punch is likely to start at around Rs 5 lakh. With that in mind, it may also take on the likes of the Renault Kiger and the Nissan Magnite.
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