VR Tech Times

After a month with our long-term Windsor, I can see why it’s India’s largest-selling EV. Everyone in your family will love it, even if you, as the driver, don’t. Yes, as the one who does most of the driving, I don’t like it. Not because it’s laidback to drive; that’s fine for an everyday EV. What I hate is the driver controls. Connect your phone, and the entire 15.6-inch screen is given over to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, even though nearly all functions like ORVM adjustment, cooled seats, drive modes etc. have to be accessed via the screen and a set of complicated steering wheel button presses. Even after you figure this out, it’s not intuitive at all. Hopefully it can be sorted with an OS update.  Phone interface overrides all access to car functions; there’s no shortcut to the home screen either. Which brings me to another irritant with our particular car. We’ve had quite a few software related issues. For instance, the front left tyre would indicate low pressure even wh...

We have earlier covered the Ather Rizta’s S and Z variants in their standard form. In this story, we focus on the S variant equipped with the larger 3.7kWh battery pack, which primarily brings a higher claimed range while retaining the same feature set as the smaller-battery S. This lower-spec variant with the bigger battery pack was recently added to the Rizta family. 1. What is the peak output of the Ather Rizta S 3.7kWh? The Rizta S continues with a peak power output of 4.3kW and 22Nm of torque. Performance remains unchanged across battery packs, with the scooter capable of reaching a top speed of 80kph in Zip mode. 2. What features does the Ather Rizta S 3.7kWh get? The S variant retains its simpler feature set irrespective of the battery pack. It gets a segmented colour LCD display with basic Bluetooth connectivity, operated via a 4-way joystick. Unlike the Z variant, it does not get the touchscreen TFT, Google Maps navigation or advanced connected features. 3. What are th...

The mid-cycle update to the Skoda Kushaq brings subtle design tweaks, a few feature additions and even a new automatic gearbox. Like before, it competes in the hotly contested midsize SUV space with rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Grand Vitara and more. We have now driven the updated Kushaq, and here are three reasons that make a strong case for it, and two areas where it could do better.  Pros Smooth and quick-shifting 8-speed AT The biggest update on the Kushaq facelift is the new 8-speed torque converter automatic (AQ300) paired with the 1-litre turbo-petrol engine, replacing the older 6-speed unit. On the move, shifts are smooth, as expected from a torque converter. What stands out is how quick the manual shifts are, whether using the paddles or the gear lever, with a feel that’s almost like a dual-clutch automatic transmission. In manual mode, the gearbox holds gears longer, allowing the engine to rev up to around 5,800rpm in first and second, and u...

Great engineers make great cars. This is especially true when perfection is the stated goal. Take, for example, Sir Henry Royce’s often-quoted maxim; “take the best that exists and make it better. When it doesn’t exist, design it.” And that is exactly what we are celebrating today: the pursuit of automotive perfection – the legacy of the 100-year-old Phantom nameplate that incredibly can still lay the claim to being the ‘best car in the world.’ And how better to do this than spend quality time with Yohan Poonawalla’s incredible seven-Phantom line-up. The Centurion "The 17EX sure has the ingredients to go fast; a massive engine and slippery body work." Evolved from what was already the ‘best car in the world’ – the Silver Ghost (crowned by Autocar in 1907), the Phantom I took the game forward considerably. The one here is the 17EX, a Phantom prototype built with an express purpose to push the boundaries of speed and cross 100mph (160.9kph).  While doing the ‘ton’ may s...

Our Ather Rizta Z   2.9 joined the Autocar long-term fleet in October 2024 and has covered over 5,500km since. In that time – and across 1.5 years in the fleet – it has largely been a dependable, drama-free electric scooter.  Reliability has mostly been solid. An early software glitch forced the scooter into limp mode and took over a month to resolve. While issues are rare, turnaround time at the service centre remains an area of concern. In fact, even a minor repair required escalation to secure an appointment. This repair included replacing a broken mirror and a chipped brake lever, both totalling roughly Rs 1,700. After sales have been a hiccup in an otherwise well-rounded package. Our primary concern with the Rizta has less to do with the scooter itself and is more service-oriented. For example, during an earlier visit, the scooter was returned to us with some scratches and a slightly bent handlebar – something that hasn’t been rectified since, although it hasn’t a...

The world’s greatest off-roaders offer impressive skills. Steep inclines, slippery surfaces, sand, snow, rocks – this intrepid bunch can do them all. None, however, can come close to managing what the Sherp can. Ladies and gents, say a big hello to what has to be one of the world’s greatest wheeled off-roaders. An off-highway vehicle whose journey begins where regular off-roaders throw their hands in the air and give up. Even more fascinating is that the Sherp SMV N1200 is now manufactured in India at JSW Gecko Motors in Chandigarh. So, come with us as we take you through the production process, the design philosophy, and how this vehicle is operated. The hull floats The hull is made of special steel, and since it floats, the joints are made watertight. Chain-drive system is also sealed in an oil bath. Every Sherp begins with its boat-like hull. JSW, also one of India’s largest steel producers, supplies high-strength steel in various sections, that’s then welded and assembled ...

Veteran Indian rally driver Hari Singh has been reported missing after a speedboat capsized in the Maldives on Thursday (March 19) night. Local reports suggest that seven people were onboard at the time of the incident, including Raymond Group Chairman and Managing Director Gautam Singhania.  Gautam Singhania injured in Maldives speedboat accident Search and rescue operations underway for two Indian nationals, including Hari Singh A spokesperson for Singhania has confirmed that he suffered minor injuries in the accident and has returned to Mumbai for recovery.  The Maldives National Defence Force confirmed that search and rescue operations are underway for two Indian nationals. One of these is reported to be Indian rally legend Hari Singh. Fondly known as ‘The Flying Sikh’, Singh won the Indian National Rally championship five times in the 1990s and even won the inaugural Asia Zone Rally Championship. After representing India in multiple international rallying events, h...

JLR creative chief Gerry McGovern will officially leave the company at the end of March, Autocar UK has reported. In December last year, Autocar India broke the news that he was asked to step down after more than two decades working on the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. McGovern, who was also a former board member, will leave the company to establish his own creative consultancy. McGovern was key in shaping Defender, Range Rover and Discovery design language  Former creative chief and board member to now set up his own creative consultancy  Gerry McGovern's role at JLR McGovern’s departure comes at a critical juncture for JLR as it continues to execute its multi-brand transformation strategy, which includes electrification across all its marques and a sharper focus on high-margin luxury segments. Further information regarding his new consultancy isn't yet known, but details will no doubt be released when he leaves JLR at the end of the month. McGovern was considered a...

SUVs remain the most popular body style in the car industry, and the sales numbers reflect that. In the calendar year 2025, six of the 10 bestselling cars were SUVs. Here, we take a look at five SUV segments, from sub-compact to premium, and the top-selling model in each category, based on 2025 sales data. Note that all powertrains offered by each model, including ICE and electric, have been considered in this feature. Sub-compact SUV Pre-facelift Tata Punch. The Tata Punch is the entry point to the carmaker's SUV lineup and it nails the brief: aggressive pricing, a feature-rich package and priority to safety. Its petrol and CNG choices give it a wide appeal; a turbo-petrol powertrain was added just this year. The Punch even topped India’s passenger vehicle sales charts in 2024, ending Maruti Suzuki’s four-decade run at number one. With this year’s facelift, it looks set to stay competitive. The Hyundai Exter is its only rival right now. SUV Units Tata Punch 1,73,...