Tata Curvv's launch created hype in the Midsize SUV market, as it was the first Coupe SUV in India. The Curvv.ev was launched first, and then the Curvv ICE - Petrol and Diesel. Like the Nexon CNG, Tata is looking forward to making the Curvv a versatile product, as it would have all of the fuel options if its CNG iteration launches in India. Currently, Nexon holds the badge of being the first car/SUV in India to have all of the possible operational fuel options - Petrol, Diesel, Electric, and CNG. 

CNG’s status in India and Tata’s position in it -

For the past few years, the Indian market has taken CNG seriously, thanks to the increasing Oil prices - Petrol & Diesel. In fact, as of 24th October 2024, the oil prices stand at ₹104 and ₹90 for Petrol and Diesel respectively in Mumbai. On the other hand, the CNG prices are way lower at ₹75 per kg in Mumbai. Ultimately, this makes CNG usage in terms of financial feasibility for an average City commute or a Highway trip way less to a consumer compared to Petrol or Diesel usage. 

Secondly, EV infrastructure in India is not that firm or dependable that consumers could shift to EVs as their primary vehicles. Compared to an average CNG car/SUV, its EV iteration is at least ₹1.5-2 lakh more expensive. Moreover, there is no denying the fact that because of incomplete infrastructure, the EV user is most of the time anxious about his/her vehicle’s range. 

Because of this, a lot of existing players have gained immense success, which has also encouraged new players to make their entry into this segment. Based on the data of Parivahan, the top three sellers of CNG Passenger vehicles till October 2024 are - 

Maruti Suzuki - 4.06 lakh units

Tata Motors - 87 thousand units 

Hyundai Motors - 57 thousand units

We can see that even though Maruti has gained a huge lead but, Tata Motors is standing strong in the second position. In fact, today, Tata Motors is the brand that has been continuously innovating in the market, and the best example is its patented Twin Cylinder Technology. 

Tata Curvv CNG in Talks

When the Curvv.ev was launched, Tata Motors had already revealed that the ICE would launch soon after it. Having observed the innovative approach and premiumisation in CNG vehicles done by Tata Motors, it is very obvious that one would have a question regarding the possibility of the Curvv CNG or Curvv i-CNG. In fact, based on an Autocar Professional Blog - Autocar India, at the time of the launch, asked Shailesh Chandra - Managing Director at Tata Motors - the same question, and his answer to it was -

“While designing the car, we have ensured that the design is protected for CNG and while it’s premature to confirm a launch I can say it’s under active consideration.”

Tata Curvv CNG capacity

The matter with the Curvv when it comes to getting a CNG iteration is easy, as the Curvv offers a much more spacious boot than any other Tata car/SUV, except for the Harrier and Safari. Moreover, Tata’s patented Twin Cylinder Technology that will be used, consists of - 

Two smaller CNG cylinders instead of one single big cylinder. Those smaller cylinders will be placed a bit lower down in the boot compared to their usual fitment on the boot floor. This will make the cylinders eat a slight bit of space from the spare wheel’s housing, which in turn, will attached from the bottom, like every other real SUV, and can be accessed by loosening a nut fitted inside the boot. Ultimately, it will leave plenty of space in the boot to store the luggage. It has been proved that this method used in Tata cars delivers comparatively a better and more usable boot space than its CNG rivals.

The Curvv is expected to be the most practical CNG car/SUV in India (and also in the world unless Tata plans for Harrier CNG!). As it benefits from the advantages of the Twin Cylinder Technology, the Curvv would still end up offering the best and most practical boot space throughout all the CNG cars in India. 

The Curvv ICE offers a boot space of 500 litres, which is the biggest in the segment. Based on the other Tata CNG cars/SUVs - Nexon, Punch, Altroz, etc - we have come to know that the space acquired by this technology averages around 100 litres of boot space, like in the Nexon CNG - Actual boot space - 382 L, CNG occupied space - 321 L. 

Now, the Curvv being a Midsize SUV, it would definitely pack a larger CNG capacity compared to the Nexon CNG, which is 9 kgs or 60 L. We believe that the Curvv would offer at least 70 litres or almost 10 kgs of CNG capacity with respect to the Engine and Weight of the SUV. So, our presumptions say, this 70 L CNG setup could eat a maximum boot space of 120 L. After this, the Curvv will still be left with 380 L of usable boot space.

Tata Curvv CNG specs

Like the Nexon i-CNG, the Curvv CNG would also be offering the same 1.2 L Turbocharged Revotron engine, which will be powered with CNG alongside Petrol. Referring to the Nexon CNG, Tata claims that it offers a mileage of up to 17.18 km/kg in Manual transmission (it has a 9 kg CNG tank), we believe, the Curvv would offer slightly lower mileage, as it is bigger and heavier than the Nexon. Our assumptions say around 15 km/kg (the Curvv could get a proper 10 kg CNG tank). 

Even though the predicted mileage figures might not be as pleasing as one would expect from a CNG car, still, the plus point with the Curvv is that it will offer very little Power and Torque depreciation compared to its regular Petrol-powered mode. Based on the Nexon CNG details, the 1.2 L Turbocharged Revotron engine fitted with CNG produces 100 hp and 170 Nm torque, which is a 20 hp and 0 Nm torque downgrade from the regular Petrol-powered mode. The Curvv CNG will offer the exact same figures, as the Nexon CNG.  

Tata Curvv CNG Mileage

As we said, the Curvv would be slightly low on mileage compared to its existing CNG rivals - Maruti Grand Vitara CNG, Toyota Hyryder CNG, etc. The CNG setup that is used by the Grand Vitara is also used in the Toyota Hyryder, and it offers a mileage of 26 km/kg. On the other hand, we believe that the Curvv CNG would offer about 15 km/kg, which is low. 

The Petrol tank capacity in the Curvv CNG would be the same at 44 litres. Overall, the combined range from both CNG and Petrol modes could be more than 800 km at a full tank of both fuels. 

Tata Curvv CNG launch date and price details

We expect Tata Motors to roll out the Tata Curvv CNG by late 2025, as the Brand’s Managing Director said that the project is under consideration. On the other hand, the prices of each CNG variant will be ₹1 lakh higher than its Petrol-only iteration.