PREMIUM GOES Frugal

The Tata Altroz iCNG aims to bring together the feasibility of driving a CNG-equipped car and the feature list you expect from a top-spec variant.

- MANAV SINHA

CNG cars have a reputation for being bare-bones. In other words, they are meant for those who prioritise the cost of running over everything else so much so that they are even willing to compromise on features that the same car with a petrol engine would get. A lot of people think that, perhaps, CNG cars are best suited for fleet operators. But now, it seems that Tata Motors wants to break this perception by bringing a no-compromise CNG hatchback to the country – the Altroz iCNG. And that’s not the end of it! Tata has even added to the CNG variant of the Altroz a longer list of features than what the non-CNG models get – now, that’s something that you don’t get to see often. So, how well does this formula work? We took it out for a spin on a sunny afternoon in Goa to find out.

WHAT’S NEW? 

On the outside, the only difference is that the CNG version of the Altroz gets the iCNG badge at the back, which is not a bad thing, for it is still a handsome-looking hatchback.

When it comes to the interior, the iCNG has a slightly different story to tell. While it is still the same design-wise, it does get minor feature additions, which go a long way in bettering the in-cabin experience. The important addition has to be the electrically operated sunroof, which can also be opened and closed through a total of 26 voice commands in English, Hindi, and a mixture of both. Look-wise, the cabin continues to be one of the best in the segment – one that will make you feel that you are in a much more expensive car.