VR Tech Times

August was a busy month for the Indian car market, bringing several new models ajd variants, as well as updates. The BMW X1 LWB and MG Hector Tomahawk EV and PHEV were among the fresh launches, while the Mahindra Scorpio N received a mid-lifecycle update. The Mahindra BE 6 gained the 'Sporteq' suffix, while three existing models added new trims: the Range Rover SV Ultra, BYD Sealion 7 Dynamic and Skoda Kylaq Sportline. After such a packed August, September is also set to see more car launches. Kia Sorento Launch: September 4 The Kia Sorento will be the brand’s new flagship ICE model in India, and it will be offered with both strong-hybrid and diesel powertrains. The 1.6-litre strong-hybrid version will produce 238hp and 380Nm, while the 2-litre diesel will make 202hp and 441Nm. The Sorento gets Kia’s signature Tiger Nose grille, large vertical LED headlights with Y-shaped LED daytime running lamps (DRLs), LED fog lamps and vertical aero vents at the edges. Kia has not reveale...

The Bajaj Pulsar N160 4V SS is the top variant of the updated N160 range, bringing a significantly reworked engine with ride-by-wire, a new 37mm USD fork, a 5-inch TFT display and Google Maps casting to a segment that was already competitive. It continues alongside the 2-valve N160 rather than replacing it. Here's what works in its favour and a couple of reasons it might not be for everyone. Reasons to buy the Bajaj Pulsar N160 4V SS Smooth, tractable and genuinely quick The new 4-valve engine is a more significant step up than the numbers alone might suggest. Despite producing 18.5hp at 9,500rpm from the same 165cc displacement, it retains the excellent smoothness and tractability of the outgoing 2-valve unit, with only minor vibrations at high revs and a very light clutch pull. During our time with the bike, we found it genuinely pleasant to ride in the city at lower revs, while still having enough performance higher up in the range to more closely match the TVS Apache RTR 160 4...

The ADV 160 marks Honda’s entry into India’s rapidly growing maxi-scooter segment, but it has one key differentiator that sets it apart from the liquid-cooled maxi-scooters already on sale – E85 flex-fuel compatibility. Here are a few things you need to know before buying India’s first flex-fuel-compatible scooter. 1. How much does the Honda ADV 160 cost? The Honda ADV 160 is priced at Rs 1.70 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), making it one of the more premium scooters on sale in India. 2. Is the Honda ADV 160 E85 compatible? Yes. The ADV 160 is Honda’s first two-wheeler in India to be compatible with E85 fuel. Its engine can run on petrol containing anywhere between 0 and 85 percent ethanol, without the rider having to make any changes. 3. What engine does the Honda ADV 160 get? Power comes from a 156.93cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine producing 16.3hp and 14.9Nm. It is paired with a CVT automatic gearbox. 4. How heavy is the Honda ADV 160? The ADV 160...

When introduced originally, the Lamborghini Urus rewrote the playbook of what an SUV could be. Sharp to look at, ferociously fast and with a mighty V8 soundtrack, the Urus has become the benchmark of performance SUVs. Now though, thanks to ever tightening regulations, the Urus has had to pivot to hybridisation. But has that diluted the experience? We got behind the wheel of the Lamborghini Urus SE to answer that question. Lamborghini Urus SE Exterior Design and Engineering - 9/10 Urus SE has a more rounded-off design than its predecessor, but it's no less menacing. In comparison to the older Urus and the mad Urus Performante, the Urus SE does appear a bit softer and more rounded off. But that’s not to say it lacks presence by any means. It’s still full of sharp angles and surfaces, the Arancio Borealis optional paint on our test car looked stunning as did the diamond-cut, multi-spoke 23-inch alloy wheels. Up front, there’s a new bonnet, redesigned bumper and a larger front grille...

The 2026 update for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 brought with it some cosmetic updates and a larger 84kWh battery. More significantly, its pricing and positioning have changed. While the previous model, with its 72.6kWh battery, was priced at Rs 45 lakh and was considered the value king of its segment, that claim is harder to justify for the new model, which now costs Rs 55.7 lakh. Hyundai says the larger battery helps the 2026 Ioniq 5 deliver an ARAI-certified range of 690km. We put that claim to the test to determine its real-world efficiency. Weighs 2,165kg; 150kg more than before 0-80 percent took 22 minutes on a 150kW DC fast charger Max charging speed of 350kW Hyundai Ioniq 5 real-world range and charging tested  The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is powered by a rear-mounted PMSM motor producing 229hp and 350Nm. Paired with a larger 84kWh lithium-ion battery pack using Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) cell chemistry, it now boasts a claimed ARAI range of 690km, up from 631km in the previous 72....

Bajaj has updated the Pulsar 125 comprehensively with the new version having four variants, compared to two on the previous iteration. Similar to the Pulsar 150 , the aim is to offer value for money and to wit, Bajaj has packed in a sizable set of features into each variant, but how do they differ from each other? Fret not, let us help. All prices mentioned are ex-showroom, Delhi. Bajaj Pulsar 125 variant breakdown Pulsar 125 Single Seat (LCD) All four variants share the new single-cradle chassis and the 124.58cc engine making 12.1hp at 8,500rpm and 11.4Nm torque at 6,500 rpm, a marginal bump of 0.3hp and 0.6Nm over the 124.38cc engine on the previous gen. All four variants share the same LED headlight and taillight, tyres, and front and rear suspensions. Bluetooth and turn-by-turn navigation is also common to all of them. The base Single Seat (LCD) variant, like the name implies, gets a single seat piece and an LCD instrument cluster. It gets a 240mm front disc with a 130mm rear dru...

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When Maruti Suzuki introduced its first factory-fitted CNG models in 2010, the fuel had little acceptance among private buyers. Availability was largely restricted to Delhi-NCR, Mumbai-Pune and Gujarat, while the filling network was small and uneven. CNG penetration remained at just 1-2 percent until 2016-17, but Maruti continued to improve the technology and expand its range. It began with affordable cars such as the Alto and Eeco before taking CNG to the WagonR, Swift, Baleno, Dzire and Ertiga. Today, its portfolio includes SUVs such as the Brezza, Fronx, Grand Vitara and Victoris. Fixing what buyers disliked In the late 1990s, buyers who wanted a CNG car usually had to convert a petrol model using an aftermarket kit. Most kits were imported, often from Italy or Argentina, and a conversion cost around Rs 30,000-32,000. As demand grew, some dealers began tying up with local retrofitters. But when these cars developed problems, owners often returned to Maruti workshops even though th...