Tata Nexon VS Tata Nexon CNG | What If….?

Do we agree the Indian carmaker Tata is giving some serious competition to the various major players in India? By carefully studying the market, Tata has surely gained pace. That said, part of the pace was the Tata Nexon, which boosted the momentum. Next, shocking the market was first India made electric vehicle Tata Nexon EV. Memorable vehicles indeed. This is when it occurred, can Tata Nexon EV beat the Tata Nexon CNG, if ever the company decides.

Although there is no comparison, what if Tata Nexon CNG is real, does the Nexon EV stand a chance? Let’s get into it.

1. Powertrain and Drivetrain
   

   

   Under the bonnet, the situation might not be very different from the standard Tata Nexon. The petrol mill in the Nexon is a 1.2-litre MPI turbo petrol engine that is capable of generating 120ps of max power and 170Nm of peak torque. We expect Nexon’s power might not drop significantly, courtesy of the turbocharger. But with CNG the power drop is inevitable.

   Engine Specs
   Fuel	Petrol/CNG*	Electric
   Engine	1.2-litre turbo petrol	Motor
   Power	120ps/108ps*	170Nm
   Torque	170Nm/163Nm*	250Nm

   *Note: Engine specifications for the CNG are fictitious and do not represent the actual values.
   But if we had to guess, the power on CNG might range from 108ps to 112ps, still manageable. On the contrary, Nexon EV’s motor generates 127bhp and 245Nm of peak torque. Sending the power in the CNG, we might see a 6-speed manual or an AMT. AMT? More fuel economy, period. Okay, Nexon EV comes with a single-speed automatic.

2. Fuel Economy, Kitna Deti Hai?
   

   

   This is where CNG might just have an edge. So, let’s calculate. Current ARAI claimed fuel economy of Tata Nexon is over 17kmpl. But if it’s CNG there usually is a 35-40% increase in the fuel economy.

   This means Tata Nexon CNG might return a mileage of about 24km/kg. Taking an average price of CNG in Delhi NCR, it costs Rs. 58 per Kg. And the tank installed is the 20kg one which stored 14kg of CNG on a good day which will cost, Rs. 812. Now, the Tata Nexon CNG will run for about 336kms. That is about Rs.2.4 per kilometre.
   

   Download the GoMechanic App Now!

   The other end is Nexon EV, for which ARAI claims the rance of 312kms. According to some interviews, we got narrowed down the average units taken to fully charge the sub compact SUV, which is 30 units and takes 8 hours.

   Must read: Tata Altroz DCA (Dual Clutch Automatic) | Things To Know

   Talking about Gurugram, the price of electricity per unit is Rs. 2.5 which comes to Rs. 70. By now, we know which one is more pocket friendly. But let’s not forget Nexon EV will be Rs. 5 – Rs.8 Lakhs more expensive than the CNG trim. Tata Nexon EV will cost less than Rs 1 per kilometre.

3. Which one will be cheaper to maintain?
   

   

   Tata Nexon CNG runs on a conventional IC engine, and it will require frequent servicing. But on the other spectrum, Tata Nexon EV will require less frequent oil and fluid changes. Another win to Tata Nexon EV.

4. Could the Nexon CNG be practical?
   

   

   Tata Nexon has a decent-sized boot, full 350 litres of it. Now, if Tata installs a CNG tank, it will eat a lot of boot space and the rest will be a tad bit too small. Yes, Nexon EV will again have an upper hand when it comes to boot space.

   GoMechanic News: Tata Nexon EV Hits New Sales Milestone!

5. The Preference
   

   

   By now, it is clear that Tata Nexon CNG surely is a mouthwatering demand; Nexon EV still makes more sense, especially if your major running is in the city limits. But if you are into travelling, diesel will make more sense considering the availability of CNG stations. Of course, if you can plane your trips, Nexon EV will also suit occasional highway runs too.

More about Tata Nexon Hybrid Spotted Testing In India?

Well, talking further about Tata Nexon CNG, there are no plans as of now, for the company to launch the CNG trim of this SUV. Still, even if we consider the situation, it is highly likely that Tata will even think about adding it to their portfolio. That said, these just what if?

Let us know in the comment section, do you wish Tata should launch Nexon CNG? Also, do mention why? Stay pinned for more sure What If content.