While Hyundai has been working on its Compact SUV Platform since 2016-17, it seems as if the current market scenario is just right for Hyundai to deliver. And now with the news of Hyundai’s Ai3 CUV debut around mid-2023, all eyes will be on the vehicle and how it locks horns with the runaway success Tata calls the Punch. So here’s the potentially upcoming Hyundai Ai3 CUV which could be the India-specific Casper vs. Tata Punch.
Casper vs. Punch: Dimensions
With both vehicles being micro/compact SUVs, similar dimensions are evident. With Casper being positioned below the Venue, and considering that the Ai3 CUV will be based on the Grand i10 Nios and Aura, we are sure that the Compact SUV will be compact enough. But if reports are to be believed the Ai3 CUV will be slightly bigger than what it currently is in the global market as the Casper. While the India spec Ai3 CUV is still a secret, here’s the global Casper ahead against the Punch for comparisons.
| Dimensions Comparison | Tata Punch | Hyundai Casper |
| Length | 3,827 mm | 3,595 mm |
| Width | 1,742 mm | 1,595 mm |
| Height | 1,615 mm | 1,575 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,445 mm | 2,400 mm |
From the comparison above the Casper seems to be truly compact, with a wheelbase of 2400 mm which is just 45 mm less than the Punch. This means that the Casper despite being compact will be spacious enough for a comfortable ride.
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Casper vs. Punch: Engine
Even though the Casper hasn’t been launched yet, it’s sure that the Casper is based on the Grand i10 Nios platform, so it’s possible that the CUV will share its engine as well. So it’s likely that the Casper will offer a 1.2-litre petrol motor along with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol motor. Nonetheless, here’s the likely comparison of Casper’s engine with the Punch:
| Specs Comparison | Hyundai Casper | Tata Punch |
| Engine | 1.0-litre Turbo or 1.2-litre NA petrol | 1.2-litre petrol |
| Power | 100 PS / 83 PS | 86 PS |
| Torque | 114 Nm / 172 Nm | 113 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed Manual and 5-speed AMT | 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT |
If Hyundai plans to offer the Ai3 CUV which likely will be an India-modified Casper with a 1.0-litre Turbo, then the vehicle can surely do better than the Punch in terms of performance. If not, the India spec Casper (Ai3 CUV) still fares well.
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Casper vs. Punch: Price
It is no wonder that the Tata Punch has been a runaway success in India with the vehicle clocking 1 lakhs sales in just a year it is evident that the entry-level SUV space is quite a hot segment. So considering that the Ai3 CUV (Casper) will need to shake up the Punch’s reign, we believe the Casper will be aggressively priced anywhere between 5 to 9 Lakhs.
So this was all about the Casper (Ai3 CUV) vs. Tata Punch. Stay pinned to the GoMechanic blog for everything automotive.
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