Tata Nexon CNG, mileage, review, performance, features – Introduction

With the introduction of this CNG model, the Tata Nexon turns into the primary automotive in India to be provided with 4 gas choices – petrol, diesel, CNG and electrical. It’s additionally the primary CNG to make use of a turbocharged engine and include a 6-speed guide ’field. Right here’s what it’s prefer to drive.

Tata Nexon CNG: exterior and inside

Cosmetically, you’ll be hard-pressed to inform the Nexon CNG aside from the remainder of the ICE vary. The one inform is the ‘i-CNG’ badge on the bootlid and the CNG stickers within the entrance and rear windshield. Apart from that, it retains the usual Nexon’s edgy styling with the identical alloy wheel design and LED lighting parts. The Artistic Ocean and white dual-tone paint scheme you see right here additionally makes it stand out.

Save for the iCNG badge, its exterior is an identical to the remainder of the ICE Nexon vary.

Inside, too, the adjustments are minimal however there are some noticeable ones. For starters, this variant – Persona in Tata communicate – will get all-black upholstery with blue stitching on the seats.The trim piece on the sprint can also be barely completely different. There’s a CNG button on the centre console that allows you to change between fuels on the fly, there are CNG-specific graphics within the digital instrument cluster that present you the utilization cut up between petrol and CNG modes, and a CNG-only journey meter. The rotary knob for the drive modes – simply behind the gear lever – has additionally been completed away with and it’s changed by a small cubby that may maintain small gadgets like the important thing fob. Maybe, Tata might have used this chance to offer the Nexon not less than one correct cup holder; it continues to get them contained in the glove field.

The entrance seats are sufficiently massive and supportive, and it’s simple to search out an excellent driving place. On the again, there’s sufficient room to take a seat three passengers in relative consolation and it’s good to see that the panoramic sunroof hasn’t eaten into the headroom.

Boot area is down by 21 litres in comparison with the petrol Nexon, at 321 litres.

The Nexon makes use of Tata’s progressive twin cylinder tech, which implies that you don’t lose out on correct usable boot area or a spare wheel. The 2 CNG tanks, which have a capability of 60 litres, are positioned under the boot flooring whereas the spare wheel is mounted beneath the automotive. Boot area has decreased by 61 litres over the usual Nexon to 321 litres (measured from flooring to roof), however you’ll be able to nonetheless slot in a few suitcases and gentle luggage. The area saver spare wheel, in the meantime, could be lowered by loosening a bolt within the boot flooring and it is a comparatively fuss-free affair.

Tata Nexon CNG options and security

Tata was the primary producer to supply a CNG even on top-end variants of the Tiago and Tigor, and the Nexon isn’t any completely different. The Nexon CNG is accessible in 4 trim ranges, so consumers can go for the decrease working prices of the CNG with out having to compromise on options. 

The Fearless + PS DT variant you see right here is loaded with gear,with the headlining function, fairly actually, being the panoramic sunroof.This has debuted on the CNG and we anticipate it to trickle all the way down to the petrol and diesel variations quickly. Different options embody leatherette upholstery,ventilated entrance seats (not electrically adjustable), two 10.25-inch screens for the infotainment and instrument cluster, auto local weather management, auto headlamps and wipers, a wi-fi telephone charger, and a superb-sounding JBL audio system. However there are some glitches with the screens that must be ironed out.

There are some CNG-specific security options which can be part of the bundle, too: a hearth extinguisher, the engine received’t begin if the gas filler flap is open, and it’ll additionally cut-off CNG provide and launch the gasoline into the ambiance if it detects a leak within the system.

Spare is mounted beneath the automotive and could be lowered by loosening a bolt within the boot flooring.

Tata Nexon CNG engine and gearbox

Powering the Nexon CNG is identical 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged engine because the petrol Nexon, however it makes 100hp and 170Nm –whereas the torque is identical, it’s 20hp down over the petrol model.Nonetheless,the torque band is much less – it is just out there for 1000rpm, not like the petrol’s 2,500rpm. It comes solely with a 6-speed guide gearbox, however Tata might supply an AMT variant later. Due to the only ECU that this employs, it may be began up instantly in CNG mode, which helps preserve that little further little bit of petrol at startup.

There’s some noticeable noise and vibration from the engine at idle, however it does smoothen out on the transfer. Rev it arduous although, and the noise does get intrusive inside. Response off the road is sweet, each in petrol and CNG, and it’s fairly keen to reply to half throttle inputs, too. The engine revs freely, however there are some inconsistencies within the energy band. Curiously, it additionally revs to a extra conservative redline of 5,500rpm in CNG, whereas in petrol it’s 6,000rpm.

The 6-speed guide gearbox has well-defined gates, however the throws are lengthy and the shift motion isn’t essentially the most pleasing. What additionally doesn’t assist issues is the snappy nature of the clutch, so that you’ll need to get used to its modulation for a smoother drive. 

What’s spectacular although is the efficiency, as could be seen within the numbers. In petrol mode, it does the 0-100kph dash in 13.97s, which is lower than a second faster than the CNG mode. What’s fascinating, although, is that it is faster to 60kph in CNG. There’s a distinguished hole within the in-gear acceleration, although, with it being faster in petrol in each the 20-80kph and 40-100kph runs.

Tata claims an ARAI-rated effectivity determine of 24km/kg, however anticipate real-world figures to be decrease. Whereas we didn’t do a full gas effectivity take a look at, in our preliminary freeway take a look at, the Nexon CNG managed to cowl 204km at a mean velocity of 48.19kph and took 7.5kg of gasoline on the finish of our drive. Some extent to notice is that Tata claims the whole tank capability is 9 kilograms; nonetheless, not like petrol or diesel, CNG tanks usually take completely different portions of gasoline relying on the time of the day because the change in temperature and stress can have an effect on its density. Therefore, getting an correct studying is just not easy. You’ll additionally need to cope with the lengthy queues at CNG filling stations.

Tata Nexon CNG experience and dealing with

The CNG weighs about 120kg greater than the petrol Nexon and Tata has made some adjustments to the suspension’s spring charge and damping to account for the extra weight. Nonetheless, there’s not plenty of distinction to the way in which this rides or handles in comparison with the usual Nexon, and as such, it stays considered one of this SUV’s strengths.

Tata Nexon CNG value and verdict 

Costs for the Nexon CNG vary from Rs 8.99 lakh to 14.59 lakh (ex-showroom, India) and consumers will admire that it’s provided from the bottom to the highest variant. Compared, its fundamental rival, the Maruti Brezza CNG, is priced from Rs 9.29 lakh to 12.10 lakh (ex-showroom). What’s additionally good is the three 12 months/ 1,00,000km normal guarantee it comes with.

Nexon CNG is accessible in 4 trims, priced from Rs 8.99 lakh to 14.59 lakh.

With the CNG, the Nexon now has the widest powertrain alternative in our market, and given the a number of trims and variants on supply, there’s a Nexon for everybody within the vary. The highest variant is expensive, the refinement isn’t the most effective and it continues to endure from ergonomic points like the usual Nexon. Nonetheless, with the CNG, you get the advantages of decrease working prices.It additionally delivers when it comes to its drivability and efficiency, a lot so as to use it in CNG mode solely. That, coupled with the truth that you don’t miss out on a boot and a spare tyre, sweetens the deal additional.

Additionally see:

Tata Nexon CNG video evaluate

Tata Nexon CNG vs rivals: value, specs comparability

Tata Nexon CNG value, variants, options defined