There is a lot of excitement about the imminent debut of the Tata Nexon iCNG in the Indian market, which is anticipated to happen in the next six to eight months. The vehicle was unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Show 2024. With the first CNG option and a turbocharged petrol engine in India, this little SUV is sure to disrupt the game.

Tata Motors believes that in the upcoming years, CNG would likely overtake diesel engines in terms of market share. Their future product pipeline’s inclusion of the Nexon iCNG is perhaps explained by this strategic view.

It is anticipated that the Nexon ICNG will be powered by a 1.2-liter turbo-petrol engine. The specific output numbers for the CNG mode are yet unknown, but the gasoline output—118 horsepower and 170 Nm—should remain constant. Currently unavailable in India, this turbocharger and CNG technology combo may provide better performance than traditional naturally aspirated CNG choices.

Tata Motors may, however, choose to use the same reliable 1.2-liter naturally aspirated engine that powers the Punch and Altroz iCNG for the Nexon iCNG. Pricing will probably be affected by the final powertrain selection; it is anticipated to rise by ₹80,000 to ₹1,00,000 in comparison to comparable petrol versions.

It is anticipated that the Tata Nexon iCNG would put occupant and CNG powertrain safety first. It is likely that a number of features will do this. Leak-proof materials in the CNG kit to minimize gas escapes, a micro switch that automatically turns off the engine during CNG refueling, and thermal incident protection to prevent overheating are a few examples of these.

For better system control, the Nexon ICNG may also include a single, sophisticated ECU. It may also have features like automatic fuel switching, direct CNG starting, modular fuel filter design, and leak detection. It’s crucial to remember that these are planned features, and confirmation will be provided closer to the launch date.

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG, the main rival of the Nexon CNG, has a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with a factory-installed CNG kit. This engine’s 87 horsepower and 121 Nm of torque may put it at a disadvantage when compared to the turbocharged Nexon iCNG. In addition, the twin-cylinder CNG arrangement of the Nexon ICNG provides a size advantage over the Brezza CNG, enabling a greater usable boot capacity of about 230 liters.