VR Tech Times

I hope by now you’ve read or seen some of our incredible Pune-to-Prague (P2P) drive stories with the Skoda Kylaq . Over 19,000km of smooth, fast highways, steep, twisty mountain roads, washed-away terrain, and even no roads at all were all devoured by this diminutive cross-continent champ. But for all that, what has seemed to break the Kylaq’s spirit is Mumbai traffic. No, seriously; our P2P team were all praise for how the Kylaq managed everything in its stride, but on my 8km office commute, it’s anything but happy. The trouble is the constant low-speed traffic. 0 to 30kph is no fun thanks to the Kylaq’s weak low-end torque and turbo lag, which are very noticeable below 2,000rpm. So, you end up going off boost, accelerating to compensate and suddenly finding a surge in power. This takes a toll on fuel efficiency too. Turbo direct-injection engines are very sensitive to throttle inputs and often over-inject fuel to avoid knocking, and my home-to-office runs have yielded an average eff...

In a recent interaction with our sister publication, Autocar Professional , Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) President and CEO, Tsutsumu Otani revealed that the brand is evaluating the expansion of its off-road range of bikes in India. Up until the recent launch of the XR300L and XR300 Rally , there was a dearth of genuinely capable off-roaders from the company - aside from private imports - and this recent statement could pave the way for more models to make their way to India. Honda has dirt bikes ranging from 50cc to 450cc globally Honda BB Racing field CRF250R and CRF450R in the ISRL already Honda evaluating expansion of off-road bike range in India Company’s CRF range spans a wide range of bikes, both road-legal and otherwise Earlier this year, Honda had announced its intentions to enter the off-road racing scene in India. Recently, it took the first step on that journey and became the title sponsor of the Honda BB Racing team that competes in the Indian Supercross Rac...

Bajaj recently added the Pulsar N250SS to its portfolio, following the “SS” treatment it gave the N160 earlier this year. The model sits above the standard N250, with which it shares most of its underpinnings, but also gets some pretty substantial upgrades that set it apart. Here’s a breakdown of what each has to offer. Bajaj Pulsar N250 vs N250SS: Engine and gearbox The SS gets a four-valve head, a six-speed gearbox and a quickshifter On paper, both motorcycles are powered by a 249cc, air- and oil-cooled engine. However, the N250SS uses an updated version with a four-valve head. Peak output figures are rated at 25hp and 22Nm, compared to 24.5hp and 21.5Nm on the standard N250, which uses a two-valve architecture. Another notable change is the gearbox, with the SS featuring a six-speed unit in place of the N250’s five-speed. It also comes with a quickshifter as standard for clutchless upshifts, a feature the N250 doesn’t offer. An electronic throttle body is also new and enables ridin...

Traffic violations in India can result in fines (challans), and missing a notification does not mean a challan has been cancelled. The government’s electronic challan (e-challan) system allows motorists to check traffic fines, view violation details and pay outstanding amounts online through the Parivahan portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The system also allows vehicle owners to retrieve challan details if they have misplaced a notice or deleted the SMS informing them of a penalty. What is an e-challan, and how does it work? An e-challan is a digital record of a traffic violation issued by the relevant authorities. It is intended to simplify the process of recording offences, notifying motorists and collecting fines. Traffic police can detect violations through surveillance cameras, automated enforcement systems and other methods. When a camera records an offence, the footage or images can help identify the vehicle and establish the nature of the violatio...

Hero MotoCorp has updated its Xtreme 160R 4V with a substantial feature overhaul and tech updates along with refinements to the design. Now the motorcycle is available in three variants. If you are planning to buy one, here’s what to know. All three variants of the Hero Xtreme 160R 4V retain the 163.2cc air/oil-cooled engine, but peak power has marginally increased to 17.1hp from 16.9hp and is delivered 250rpm later in the rev range at 8,750rpm. The torque figure remains unchanged at 14.6Nm at 6,500rpm. They also share the tubular diamond chassis, steel box-section swingarm, and the rear monoshock. Braking duties are handled by a 276mm disc at the front and 220mm disc at the rear. Hero Xtreme 160R 4V: Variant breakdown Standard  At Rs 1.27 lakh, this upcoming variant features a right way up fork, a cable-actuated throttle, and single-channel ABS, alongside a color LCD display. It will be available in two colour options: Firestorm Red and Pearl Black. While it is currently unavai...

Ducati has launched the Formula 73 in India at Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The café racer-styled motorcycle was first revealed earlier this year as a limited-edition model that pays homage to one of the most iconic motorcycles in the Italian manufacturer’s history – the legendary 750 Super Sport Desmo from 1973. A total of 873 units were made available globally, and every unit allocated for India has already been spoken for. 803cc Desmodue twin makes 73hp and 65.2Nm Limited to 873 units, each with a certificate of authenticity Ducati Formula 73 details Pays homage to the 750 Super Sport Desmo The Formula 73 celebrates the 750 Super Sport Desmo, the first Ducati road bike equipped with a desmodromic valve timing system. The Super Sport was a replica of the 750 Imola Desmo, with which Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari won the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola – the first European competition for production-derived motorcycles. This modern reinterpretation features a silver and aqua-green live...

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed making Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) mandatory for all M1 category vehicles from October 1, 2032. This category covers passenger vehicles with up to eight seats besides the driver. According to the draft notification, the requirement will apply to all new models manufactured from October 1, 2030, before being extended to all models (including those already in production) two years later. The draft rules are an amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989. AIS-185 standard for AEB systems. Steering and lane-keeping systems also covered. Public consultation open for 30 days. MoRTH sets AEB timeline for passenger and light goods vehicles The proposal comes as the government aims to halve road accidents and fatalities by 2030, a target Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has reiterated on several occasions. MoRTH’s draft notification proposes a phased rollout of AEBS, an Advance...

Earlier this year, Porsche launched the all-electric Cayenne , the EV counterpart of the very SUV that saved the brand from financial ruin decades ago. Producing a colossal 1,156hp, the Cayenne Turbo Electric holds the crown as the most powerful car you can buy in India today. Better yet, at Rs 2.28 crore, Porsche’s hyper-SUV delivers ballistic performance without a hypercar price tag. Before you sign on the dotted line, here are two reasons to buy it and two reasons to look elsewhere, based on our time behind the wheel . Reasons to buy Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric Immense power on tap The Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric produces 1,156hp and 1,500Nm from its dual-motor setup and claims a supercar-rivalling 0-100kph time of 2.5 seconds. Put your foot down in launch control, and the Cayenne Electric propels ahead like a fighter jet. In our experience, power is brilliantly deployed with minimal wheelspin, and the Cayenne Turbo Electric surges ahead with the surroundings blurring around...

The democratisation of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is visible in the Indian market, with many car brands now offering these safety features in their mass-market models. Cars in this segment currently offer two levels of ADAS: Level 1, with features such as forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist, and Level 2, which adds adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. If you are looking for cars with ADAS, here are the 10 most affordable combustion-powered options in India, priced from highest to lowest. 10. Honda Elevate Rs 15.39 lakh-Rs 18.30 lakh The top-end  Honda Elevate  ZX and ZX+ trims come with a Level 2 ADAS suite; the latter trim is available in a Black edition as well. Under the hood, the Elevate has a 121hp 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a manual transmission (MT) or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). 9. MG Astor Rs 15.30 lakh When the  MG Astor  was launched in 2021, it was the only midsize SUV to feature ADAS. MG o...

The 2026 Maruti Suzuki Baleno has been launched at a starting price of Rs 5.99 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. As part of this mid-lifecycle update, Maruti’s premium hatchback gets a slightly tweaked exterior, additional features, an upgraded safety suite and a new petrol engine. Here, we take a closer look at the new Baleno’s variants and the features. 2026 Maruti Baleno: Prices and powertrains New Maruti Baleno ex-showroom prices in Delhi (in Rs lakh) Trim Petrol MT Petrol AMT Petrol-CNG MT Petrol-CNG AMT Sigma 5.99 - - - Delta 7 7.5 7.92 8.32 Zeta 8 8.5 8.92 9.32 Alpha 9.1 9.6 - - Alpha (O) 9.5 9.99 - - Maruti has deployed its Z12E 1.2-litre 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine to power the new Baleno, and it produces peak outputs of 83hp and 112Nm. Both 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT options are available with this engine. As before, a factory-fitted CNG option is also offered. In CNG mode, power and torque fall to 70hp and 102Nm, respectively, while gearbox duties are handled ...

Halfway into FY2027, the sub-4-metre SUV category continues to register the same momentum it displayed in FY2026 when it sold a record 14.7 lakh units. The difference, though, is that with 8,13,657 sub-4-metre SUVs sold in April-September 2026, the YoY growth is a robust 28 percent. The Top 10 models in H1 FY2027 – Tata Punch and Nexon , Maruti Fronx and Brezza , Hyundai Venue , Kia Sonet , Mahindra 3XO and Bolero , Hyundai Exter and Mahindra Thar (3-door) – with sales of 7,27,773 units and 30 percent YoY growth dominate. This popular lot accounted for 89 percent of the 8,13,657 units sold in the past six months. H1 FY 2027 sub-4-metre SUV sales Rank Model H1 FY2027 H1FY2026 YoY% change 1 Tata Punch 1,23,287 73,455 68% 2 Tata Nexon 1,11,919 89,557 25% 3 Maruti Fronx 1,10,135 76,805 43% 4 Maruti Brezza 80,516 84,902 -5% 5 Hyundai Venue 68,836 49,978 38% 6 Kia Sonet 56,929 47,168 21% 7 Mahindra 3XO 52,851 44,400 19% 8 Mahindra Bolero 51,720 39,794 30% 9 Hyundai Exter 46,156 32,967 ...

BMW Motorrad has filed a design patent for its Vision CE electric scooter concept in India, suggesting the German manufacturer is at least evaluating the country as a potential market for the radical two-wheeler. The Vision CE was originally unveiled at IAA Mobility 2025 as a concept vehicle presenting BMW’s vision of electric urban mobility and has since been patented in multiple markets. Vision CE features an integrated protective cage Self-balancing system keeps the scooter upright when stationary What we know about the Vision CE concept The patent doesn’t necessarily confirm that an India launch is in the pipeline The centrepiece of the Vision CE is a safety concept built around a metal tubular cage, which BMW says, when combined with an integrated seatbelt, is designed to allow riding without a helmet or riding gear. BMW drew a direct parallel with its C1 scooter from 25 years ago, which used a similar philosophy of protective bodywork in place of conventional riding gear. The Vi...

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"Forget diesel, go hybrid," Renault Group India CEO Stephane Deblaise told us in an interview at the launch of the Duster hybrid. Renault claims that hybrid is the perfect replacement for diesel. The 1.5-litre K9K diesel engine was instrumental in the first-generation Duster's sales success; out of the nearly 200,000 units sold, nearly 90 percent were powered by the diesel engine. However, the K9K was axed in 2020, when the stricter BS6 emission norms went into effect.  First-generation Renault Duster's K9K 1.5L diesel engine. Renault Duster hybrid leads in claimed mileage than rivals In addition to the Renault Duster , the Toyota Hyryder, Maruti Grand Vitara and Victoris are currently the only other mid-size SUVs to offer a hybrid powertrain option. The Duster hybrid's ARAI-rated mileage of 29kpl is 1.03kpl higher than what the Grand Vitara and Hyryder claim. Meanwhile, the Victoris comes closest to matching the Renault SUV's figure, with a margin of just 0...