The Punch EV gets a 30 kWh battery pack which produces 88 hp and 154 Nm of torque, including City and Sport drive modes with this pack.

The other choice is the 40 kWh battery pack, which produces 129 hp and the same 154 Nm of torque with the addition of Eco mode.

Also, claimed acceleration from 0-100 km/h is 13.5 seconds for the 30 kWh version and 9.0 seconds for the 40 kWh version.

The Punch EV achieves an ARAI-certified full-charge range of 365-375 km with the 30 kWh pack and 468 km with the 40 kWh pack under MIDC Part 1 + Part 2 conditions. However, real-world C75 range estimates are 260-275 km and 335-355 km respectively.

For charging, it uses the CCS2 charging standard and includes a 3.3 kW AC wall box charger. Charging from 10-100% via a 15A plug point takes approximately 11.9 hours for the 30 kWh pack and 14.8 hours for the 40 kWh pack.

Alternatively, with a 7.2 kW AC fast charger, the same charge takes roughly 4.5 hours for the 30 kWh pack and 5.3 hours for the 40 kWh pack.

For quicker top-ups, DC fast charging from 10-80% with a 65 kW or higher charger takes about 30 minutes, adding up to 145 km (30 kWh) or 180 km (40 kWh) in 15 minutes under MIDC P1+P2, C75 conditions.

Within the Punch EV, the dashboard gets soft-touch materials and a high-gloss central console. Ahead of the driver, the steering wheel is a flat-bottom unit with mounted controls for audio, cruise and regen modes.

Meanwhile, the instrument cluster is a 10.16 cm digital display or a full 26.03 cm digital cockpit that includes driver-view navigation maps.

Centrally, infotainment is handled by a Harman system offered in 20.32 cm or 26.03 cm touchscreen sizes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (wired or wireless), USB Type-C fast charging ports, 4 speakers and iRA.ev connectivity with smartwatch support.

Additionally, the system supports multiple voice assistants including Hey Tata, Amazon Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant, along with the Arcade.ev 2.0 app suite for connected in-car entertainment.

Moving to comfort, seating offers a height-adjustable driver seat, ventilated front seats in higher trims, leatherette upholstery and rear adjustable headrests with ISOFIX anchors. In the rear, passengers get adequate leg and head room from the 2445 mm wheelbase, rear USB Type-C fast charging and iToggle window controls for all doors.

To further improve the cabin, higher trims add a voice-assisted electric sunroof, a cooled glovebox, a wireless smartphone charger and an air purifier. Out back, boot space measures 366 litres.

Exterior wise from the front, the Punch EV gets LED headlamps, smart digital DRLs and a sealed-off grille area. Enhancing this look, higher trims include front LED fog lamps with a cornering function.

Moving along the side, it emphasises crossover proportions with 195 mm ground clearance, roof rails in select trims and R15 steel wheels with hub caps or R16 hyper-style steel or diamond-cut alloy wheels fitted with low-rolling-resistance tyres. Above, a dual tone roof is available as an option.

At the rear, it carries a digital infinity glow end-to-end tail lamp, electric tailgate release and a shark-fin antenna with integrated GPS.

The Punch EV uses a reinforced body structure to support its safety systems. As standard, it comes equipped with 6 airbags, electronic stability program, ABS with EBD, hill hold assist, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchors and tyre pressure monitoring system.

Additionally, impact-sensing auto door unlock, and impact-sensing door lock are also present.

For added visibility and control, higher trims add a 360-degree surround view camera, blind spot view monitor, camera-based reverse park assist, electronic parking brake with auto hold and hill descent control.

Lastly, an SOS calling function is available on higher trims for emergency assistance.

The Punch EV’s close rivals in its segment are the Citroen eC3 and MG Comet EV.

The eC3 uses a single 29.2 kWh battery pack with a lower claimed range while the Punch EV offers two larger battery packs for superior ARAI range and quicker 0-100 km/h acceleration. The Punch EV also provides a larger 366-litre boot versus the eC3’s 315 litres and adds paddle shifters for regen control plus more extensive connectivity features.

As for the Comet EV, it has smaller overall dimensions and offers tighter city agility but falls short on boot space, ground clearance and real-world highway range compared with the Punch EV’s 366-litre luggage capacity and dual battery choices.