Punch facelift will launch by mid-2025; borrows exterior and interior elements from Punch EV.
A camouflaged test mule of a Tata Punch was recently spied testing, giving us a first glance at the imminent facelift of the micro-SUV. The launch, however, is still quite some time away as the company has previously indicated at a timeline of around mid-2025, but unsurprisingly, the Punch facelift clearly draws influences from the Punch EV that was launched earlier this year. Let’s take a closer look.
- Punch facelift draws design references from Punch EV
- Will have a differentiated equipment list from the Punch EV
- Launch expected by mid-2025
Tata Punch facelift spied
Although the test mule is fully draped in camouflage, the fascia is understandably borrowed from the Punch EV – it has the same bonnet line, a similar arrangement for the split headlamps and even the bumper bears close resemblance. This also aligns it with the family look seen on the larger Nexon, Harrier and Safari.
The Punch facelift, however, will likely be marked out from the EV just as the Nexon is from its EV counterpart – the ICE-powered Punch is not likely to have the full-width LED light bar up front, and there could be new details for the bumper. In profile and at the rear, however, there doesn’t seem to be any major change save for a new design for the alloy wheels.
On the inside too, the Punch facelift is expected to borrow updates from the Punch EV, but Tata Motors has previously said both models will have a differentiated equipment list, just like the Nexon twins. For instance, the Nexon EV gets a larger touchscreen, an Arcade.ev app suite, electronic parking brake, all-wheel disc brakes, a welcome and goodbye animation by the front LED DRLs and OTA updates over the regular Nexon. A similar trend can be expected on the Punch twins as well, which means the EV is likely to remain better equipped.
Tata Punch facelift to remain mechanically unchanged
Under the skin, the Punch is expected to remain identical to the current model. It will continue to be powered by the 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 86hp and 113Nm of torque, and comes mated to a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox. The Punch is also available in CNG guise where it produces 73.4hp and 103Nm. The CNG version is currently only available with a 5-speed manual gearbox, but an AMT could soon join the line-up, perhaps even before the facelift, as it was recently introduced on the Tiago and Tigor CNG models.
The Punch was the first micro-SUV that brought about this segment in 2021, but since then, the Hyundai Exter and Citroen C3 have also entered this space. Its emerging to be one of the fastest growing segments – even Maruti will join this segment with the Y43 SUV by late-2026 – so the Punch facelift will have its work properly cut out.
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