Unofficial bookings for factory-fitted CNG models of Tiago and Tigor have commenced at select dealerships since October this year
Tata Motors will enter the CNG segment of the Indian passenger car market after a long wait. The local automaker will provide factory-installed CNG kits on its entry-level Tiago, Punch, and Tigor vehicles. On multiple occasions, test mules of these cars equipped with CNG kits have been seen testing on public roads.
With the rising cost of gasoline and diesel, automakers have been compelled to consider alternate fuel sources, one of which being CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). In India, Tata Motors will introduce CNG versions of the Tiago mini hatchback and Tigor subcompact sedan in the coming month. After then, the Punch CNG launch will take held.
Tata Motors in CNG space
Maruti Suzuki presently dominates the CNG category in India, with Hyundai being the only other prominent contender. Tata Motors is hoping to expand its CNG presence with CNG-fitted vehicles like Altroz and Nexon, following the launch of Tiago CNG and Tigor CNG. Both of these models have been further delayed because to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak and a global lack of semiconductor chips.
Take a look at this spy film, which was shared by automotive enthusiast Jagadish and shows disguised test mules of the Punch, Tiago, and Tigor being tested in the steep terrain of Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri Mountains.
At the dealership level, CNG-equipped Tiago and Tigor versions are available for booking. Unofficial bookings for both CNG automobiles are said to have begun in October of this year. In the coming weeks, we expect Tata Motors to formally start bookings for the Tiago CNG and Tigor CNG, ahead of their January introduction. Punch CNG reservations will be available later.
Same engine, different fuel
The Tiago and Tigor share the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which produces 85 bhp and 113 Nm of peak torque in basic variants. The same engine is estimated to produce roughly 70 horsepower and 90 Nm of peak torque when converted to CNG. A 5-speed manual gearbox will handle the transmission chores. While output would decrease, it will gain a significantly higher fuel efficiency of roughly 30 km/kg.
Aside from the upgraded powerplant, neither car is expected to receive any other significant changes. Except for a CNG emblem slapped somewhere in the back, both CNG cars will look remarkably identical to their petrol-powered counterparts. Tata Motors will also provide the option of having CNG kits installed at dealerships.
Rivals
Tiago CNG will compete with CNG-powered Hyundai Santro, Maruti WagonR, and the planned CNG version of Swift and new-gen Celerio when it debuts. Tigor CNG, on the other hand, will compete with Hyundai Aura CNG and the forthcoming Dzire CNG. Tata Motors would be hoping that the addition of CNG models will boost sales even more.
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