India’s first twin-cylinder powertrain will be used in the CNG vehicles Tata Altroz and Punch when they go on retail subsequently this year. The CNG versions of the Altroz and Punch were introduced by Tata Motors recently during the 2023 Auto Expo in Greater Noida. They will go into circulation in India later this year. The domestic car giant now sells CNG versions of the Tiago, Tigor, and Tiago NRG, and the CNG-compatible Altroz and Punch will round out its lineup.
The popular 1.2-litre three-cylinder powertrain can provide a maximum performance capacity of 86 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of peak acceleration in petrol configuration, and 77 horsepower and 97 pound-feet of peak speed in CNG mode will be used in the CNG model. A five-speed manual transmission will connect the engine to the propagation. Punch CNG and the forthcoming Tata Altroz CNG may be launched in CNG mode immediately.
Any car’s CNG edition arrives with trade-offs likened to the conventional fuel variant, notably a much smaller trunk. The Mumbai-based firm has succeeded in resolving the issue by providing the country’s first twin-cylinder configuration. The trunk capacity won’t be compromised because the 60-litre petrol tank is divided in two and set up inline.
The twin cylinders are installed beneath the hatchback ground to free up room for storage. No external alterations have been performed, and the upholstery is almost unchanged in both the Punch CNG and Altroz CNG variants, save from including the i-CNG badge on the boot lid. However, because the former is more expensive, it will provide a superior component inventory.
In addition to having features like passenger side air heating and cooling air ducts, a front centre hand rest, a handheld audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interoperability, instantaneous temperature controls, an altitude operator seat, a powertrain start/stop button, and leather seat interior trim, the Altroz CNG equipped with bi-fuel technology will compete against Baleno CNG and Glanza CNG when it debuts.