The mighty popular Tata Punch will be among the first cars to achieve the Bharat NCAP safety score. In fact, there are reports suggesting that it will soon get 6 airbags as well, just like its arch-rival, the Hyundai Exter. Note that Punch already boasts a full 5-star safety rating as per the old testing regime of Global NCAP. But this NCAP test was performed under the previous protocols. However, the Bharat NCAP will be our indigenous agency which will test vehicles in India from now on. Let us take a look at the details of this news.
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Tata Punch at Bharat NCAP
The big news is that the Indian automaker will now offer 6 airbags with the Punch too. It remains to be seen if these will be standard across the range, like Hyundai Exter, or if Tata will offer 6 airbags only on the top trim. In any case, it will be a welcome addition to the micro SUV. The customers are getting more and more conscious about the safety equipment on offer and NCAP ratings before purchasing new cars these days. Therefore, this will boost the popularity of the already successful micro SUV even further. Should Tata decide to offer 6 airbags across the range, these will definitely have a bearing on the NCAP score.
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Bharat NCAP
Note that Bharat NCAP was announced a few months ago and came into effect on October 1, 2023. However, due to the festive season, there was a significant delay in getting the first vehicles tested. Finally, December 15, 2023, is the first day when we will witness the crash test of the first vehicle. From then on, we shall keep getting the latest safety ratings of various cars from Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra and more regularly. Bharat NCAP is based on the updated Global NCAP testing procedure. In any case, this will be a critical chapter in the Indian automobile history.
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Authors’ Note
We’re excited to play a role in this transformation. Just a few years back, safety ratings weren’t a top concern for Indian consumers buying vehicles. The Tata Nexon altered this perspective, securing the title of the first Indian car with a 5-star safety rating from the Global NCAP. Since then, cars, particularly those from Indian manufacturers, consistently showcase a full 5-star safety rating. Consequently, people now deem safety ratings a pivotal factor in car purchases. Establishing our own agency for safety ratings is a significant advantage, and we foresee a growing trend where an increasing number of safety features become standard across all car trims.
