Tata Motors' Festive Car Launch Blitz Detailed

The festive season in India is considered auspicious for new car purchases. Automakers usually schedule their key launches for Diwali to capitalise on the increased purchase potential. This time, Tata Motors seem to have aggressive launch plans for the festive season. Here are six possible launches from the Indian carmaker in the coming months.

Tata Punch Facelift

Tata Motors is working on a facelift of the Punch micro-SUV, which first went on sale in 2021. Even today, the model is in good demand, and the facelift is expected to bring more appeal to it. It will get slight tweaks in exterior styling. The bumpers at both ends are expected to be updated. The new Punch will get connected LED DRLs and split-type headlamps as well.

Inside, it will likely get a 7-inch driver display, Tata’s new two-spoke steering wheel with illuminated logo, and most of the current model’s features. The safety suite will consist of six airbags, ABS, EBD, and more. The carmaker is unlikely to make changes to the powertrains.

The new Punch will likely continue with the current model’s 1.2-litre petrol and CNG engines. The naturally aspirated petrol makes 87.8 hp while the CNG has a slightly lower output. The mid-life update could be dearer by Rs 30,000-50,000.

Harrier Petrol

Tata Motors has developed a brand-new direct injection turbocharged petrol engine (TGDi) for use in models including the Harrier and Safari which are currently offered with diesel engines alone. This new powerplant will be able to produce 170 PS and 280 Nm, and was showcased at one of the previous editions of the Auto Expo.

The Harrier will be one of the first Tata SUVs to get it, and could then get even more popular in markets that explicitly favour petrol engines.

Safari Petrol

The outgoing Safari uses the same 2.0L diesel engine as the Harrier. It will soon get the newly developed petrol engine as well. Just like those of the Harrier, petrol variants of the Safari could witness increased acceptance in certain parts of the country. The new engine will also help in bringing the vehicle’s entry price down.

Sierra EV

Tata Motors is set to resurrect the ‘Sierra nameplate’, by introducing both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and EV versions of the SUV. Of these, the EV could be out during this festive season. It will likely be based on the Acti EV+ platform and will borrow its battery packs from the Harrier.EV. The electric Sierra will then have 65 kWh and 75 kWh battery options. More details are expected to be out closer to the launch date.

Curvv CNG

The carmaker is also planning to widen the appeal of the Curvv SUV coupe by adding a CNG variant to the lineup. Now, its available with petrol, diesel and electric powertrains. The EV, further comes in standard range and long range versions.

The CNG version is expected to further boost the Curvv’s sales. It will feature the carmaker’s dual-cylinder iCNG technology, which will help generate maximum usable boot space by storing the CNG in two interconnected small cylinders, instead of accommodating it in a large single unit.

Nexon EV ADAS

Finally, Tata Motors will update the Nexon EV with more features including level 2 ADAS in the coming weeks. This will give it a better positioning in India’s evolving compact electric SUV landscape. The name of the new variant will likely be Empowered+ A, where ‘A’ would denote ADAS. It will come only with the 45 kWh battery pack, and will thus have a claimed range of 489 km per charge.