Tata to Unveil Nexon iCNG Soon: India’s First Turbo-Petrol CNG Compact SUV

For Nexon iCNG, Tata might use 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine found in Altroz iCNG and Punch iCNG

The Tata revealed the Nexon iCNG at the Bharat Mobility Show 2024. And from then on, the car created a lot of excitement. Fortunately, it will soon be available for sale in India, likely within the next 6 to 8 months. This compact SUV will be India’s first CNG option along with a turbocharged petrol engine.

Tata Motors expects CNG to become more popular in the future, possibly replacing diesel engines. That is why Tata is planning to launch the Nexon iCNG as part of their future product lineup.

Nexon iCNG will use a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine for power (source: X platform)

What to Expect from the Engine?

The Nexon iCNG will use a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine for power. However, Tata didn’t reveal specific details of its performance in CNG modes. But it’s likely to maintain a similar power output of 118 bhp and 170 Nm in petrol mode. This combination of turbocharging and CNG technology is unique in India and could provide better performance than standard naturally aspirated CNG options.

Alternatively, Tata Motors might use the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine found in the Altroz iCNG and Punch iCNG for the Nexon iCNG. The decision on which engine to use will affect the pricing, with an anticipated increase of Rs 80,000 to Rs 1,00,000 compared to the petrol models.

Tata Nexon EV scored 5-star rating in Bharat NCAP's crash tests (Source: BNCAP)
Tata Nexon EV scored 5-star rating in Bharat NCAP’s crash tests (Source: BNCAP)

What are the Safety Features?

The Tata Nexon CNG will likely focus on safety for passengers and the CNG engine. This could be achieved with features like a micro switch that stops the engine automatically during CNG refuelling, using leak-proof materials in the CNG Kit to reduce gas leaks, and including thermal protection to prevent overheating accidents.

The Nexon iCNG could have a single advanced ECU for better system control. It might include features like direct CNG starting, automatic fuel switching, a modular fuel filter design, and a leak detection system.

Competitor in the Indian Market

The main rival of the Nexon CNG is the Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG, which has a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine. The car produces 87 bhp and 121 Nm of torque, which is likely to be less powerful than the Nexon iCNG’s turbocharged option. Furthermore, the Nexon iCNG’s dual-cylinder CNG setup provides more space. That means you get a larger usable boot space of around 230 litres compared to the Brezza CNG.