Tata Punch CNG AMT returns 19.99 km/kg in test, costing about Rs 4.35 per km

Tata claims the Punch CNG AMT is the country's first CNG AMT SUV. How much mileage this automatic-gearbox car actually gives has been customers' most important question. In a test, the car has now recorded 19.99 km/kg. The test also gave details of the gas cost and the experience of driving in the city and on the highway.

Tata Motors supplied the top-variant Accomplished + S CNG AMT for the test. At an Indraprastha Gas station in Sarita Vihar, Delhi, at around 11 pm, 6.950 kg of CNG was filled. Filling the gas meant waiting about 20 minutes. Over the next few days the car was driven about 60 km on the highway and 79 km on city roads. The AC stayed on throughout.

When the CNG ran out, the car's 7-inch digital instrument cluster showed a distance of 138.9 km. The trip took 5 hours 18 minutes in CNG mode. Dividing this distance by the quantity of gas filled gave a mileage of 19.99 km/kg. During the test CNG was priced at Rs 86.98 a kg, so 6.950 kg of gas cost Rs 604.51. That works out to about Rs 4.35 a kilometre. At this mileage, driving 100 km would take roughly 5 kg of gas and Rs 435.

On the road, the Punch CNG AMT copes easily with slow city traffic. However, the AMT takes a little time when changing gears, and above 60 km/h the car gathers speed slowly. The suspension feels slightly stiff over potholes and sharp bumps. The car holds steady on corners and body roll appeared well controlled.

The car has a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder Revotron iCNG engine. In CNG mode it produces 73.4 PS of power and 103 Nm of torque, while in petrol mode it delivers 87.8 PS and 115 Nm. A 5-speed AMT is offered alongside the 5-speed manual. Two CNG cylinders sit under the boot floor, yet 210 litres of luggage space is available. The petrol tank is 37 litres.

Features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, a voice-assisted sunroof and automatic climate control. For safety, the car gets 6 airbags, an electronic stability programme and a 360-degree camera. It has a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP. The Punch CNG starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs 6.85 lakh, while the tested Accomplished + S CNG AMT variant costs Rs 10.77 lakh.