A Tata Curvv test mule with small underbody changes has been spied, hinting at a possible CNG or E85 flex-fuel variant on top of the existing petrol, diesel and EV lineup.
Key facts
- Current price: ₹9.76–19.16 lakh (ex-showroom)
- Spied: CNG or E85 flex-fuel test mule (not confirmed)
- Engines today: 1.2L turbo-petrol (118/123 bhp), 1.5L diesel (116 bhp)
- Likely base: 1.2L turbo-petrol recalibrated for CNG/ethanol
- Launch date: not announced
- Rivals: Nexon, Fronx, Sonet, Taisor
Should you wait for a CNG Curvv before you buy? A camouflaged Tata Curvv test mule has been spotted, and the small underbody tweaks suggest either a CNG or an E85 flex-fuel version is being developed. Nothing is confirmed yet. But it fits Tata's habit of offering many fuel options under one model.
What's been spied: A CNG or E85 flex-fuel Curvv?
A heavily camouflaged Tata Curvv was caught testing on Indian roads. The body looks unchanged, so this isn't about new styling. The key clue is minor underbody changes that could fit an extra fuel system. That points to either a CNG tank or ethanol-ready hardware. Tata hasn't officially said which one it is. So treat both as speculation for now.
Tata Curvv CNG: The more likely bet
A CNG version looks the easier and more likely path. Tata already sells its twin-cylinder CNG tech (two smaller gas tanks instead of one big one, so you lose less boot space) in the Tiago, Tigor, Punch, Altroz and Nexon. Bringing it to the Curvv would make it one of the first coupe-SUVs in India with a factory-fitted CNG option. This suits city buyers who drive a lot and want lower running costs. CNG typically costs far less per km than petrol.
E85 flex-fuel: Interesting, but early days
The second option is an E85 flex-fuel Curvv. 'Flex-fuel' means the engine can run on petrol or on fuel with up to 85% ethanol. India is pushing ethanol-blended petrol, and E20 (20% ethanol) is already common. But E85 pumps are almost nowhere in India today. So an E85 Curvv would be more of a technology showcase than a car you can actually fuel easily. Useful for the future, not for right now.
Expected engine: The 1.2L turbo recalibrated
Either way, the base is likely the familiar 1.2-litre turbo-petrol. For CNG, Tata would tune this engine to run on gas. For E85, it would need revised fuel injection and mapping (the engine's software), plus tougher internal parts to handle high ethanol. Tata has plenty of turbo-petrol experience, so both are technically doable. Don't expect the sharp 123 bhp Hyperion GDi numbers here; alternative-fuel tunes usually make less power than pure petrol.
Tata Curvv price: Today vs expected CNG version
The Curvv sells today from ₹9.76 lakh for the Smart petrol manual and goes up to ₹19.16 lakh (ex-showroom). On-road prices add road tax, registration and insurance and vary by state. For context, the Nexon CNG already sits around ₹8.45–14.60 lakh as a 5-seater. A Curvv CNG would slot above that, likely a ₹1.5–2 lakh premium over the petrol base. Nothing is official, so treat these as rough estimates.
Launch date: Nothing announced
Tata has not announced any launch date for a CNG or E85 Curvv. The car is still a camouflaged test mule. So don't expect it in showrooms soon. From a business view, a CNG version makes more sense in the near term, while E85 feels like a longer-term project. Until Tata confirms it, both stay firmly in the 'maybe' column.
References: Tata India — official website
