Tata has done it again, with another 5-star crash rating. This time it is the Punch EV and the testing agency, the Bharat NCAP. This 5-star applies to both adult occupant protection and Child Occupant Protection. What is the exact score? Read below to know:
Punch EV Adult Occupant Protection
When it comes to Adult Occupant Protection, the Punch EV got a score of 31.46 points (98.31 percent) out of the maximum 32 in the BNCAP test. This score was plenty to get it the 5-star score in AOP.
There are two parts to this test. It got 15.71 points (98.19 percent) out of 16 in the frontal offset deformable barrier test. This test is done by making the car go through a frontal impact at 64 kmph. BNCAP has claimed that the head and neck of the driver and passenger get good protection during the test. On the other hand, the protection of the driver's chest was good and adequate for the passenger. Both the driver and the passenger had strong protection for their thighs. While the passenger's tibias were well-protected, the driver's tibias had adequate protection. Additionally, the driver's feet were also well-protected.
The second part is the side movable deformable barrier test, which scored 15.74 points (98.38 percent) out of 16.
Punch EV Child Occupant Protection
The Child Occupant Protection metric tests how the car would protect a child between 18 months and 3 years old who is protected with a child restraint. It scored a cumulative 45 (91.83 percent) points out of 45, which gave it a 5-star rating in COP, too. This score has three parts: the dynamic score, the CRS installation score, and the Vehicle assessment score.
In the dynamic score, the Punch EV got a perfect 24 (100 percent) points out of 24. The same held for the CRS installation score, where it scored 12 (100 percent) points out of 12. Its 4-point deficit in the perfect cumulative figure came from the Vehicle assessment score, where it got 9 (75 percent) points out of 12.
Punch EV: Safety Features
The Punch EV's 5-star rating is due to its long list of safety features. The standard features include 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, hill hold assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), ISOFIX child seat anchors, and rear parking sensors. You can make it even safer by opting for the top trims of the EV, which get a 360-degree camera with a blind view monitor and all-wheel disc brakes.
Punch EV: Other Details
The Punch EV gets two iterations for its battery: a 25kWh battery offering 315 km of range and a 35kWh battery that Tata claims can last you 421km on a full charge. BNCAP tested the 35 kWh version in this test. There are two options in the motor division: a long-range version that can produce 122 hp and 190 Nm of torque and the regular one with a power output of 82 hp and torque figure of 114 Nm. You can bring home the Punch EV by choosing one of its variants priced between Rs 10.99 Lakh and 15.49 Lakh (ex-showroom). The other direct Punch EV is the Citroen eC3 with a price tag of 12.69 Lakh, but it doesn't fare well in safety with its 0-star GNCAP rating. More affordable EV options to the Punch EV include the MG Comet EV and its younger sibling, Tiago EV.
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