VR Tech Times

Hero MotoCorp has recently introduced a new Combat variant on the Xtreme 250R , the flagship sport-naked motorcycle in the brand’s portfolio. Now the motorcycle is available in two variants, if you are planning to buy one, here’s what to know. Both variants retain the 250cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, which produces 30hp at 9,250rpm and 25.3Nm of torque at 7,500rpm, the latter shows a 0.3Nm bump, and delivered  250rpm higher in the rev band. Retained from the previous model also include the steel trellis frame, the box-section swingarm, the 43mm USD fork, all-LED lighting and the dual-channel ABS. Braking hardware also remains unchanged, a 320mm disc at the front and a 230mm disc at the rear. Hero Xtreme 250R: Variant breakdown   Standard The Standard variant has received a Rs 11,000 price hike, raising its cost from Rs 1.73 lakh to Rs 1.84 lakh. This variant remains unchanged from before. It retains the mechanical throttle body, reverse LCD instrument cluster with...

The Maserati Grecale facelift brings subtle exterior revisions and cabin updates, while the engine line-up gains a 390hp Nettuno V6 option. The updated luxury SUV will launch in India on October 30, alongside the GranTurismo and GranCabrio facelifts.  Here is what to expect from the Maserati Grecale facelift.  What exterior changes will the Maserati Grecale facelift get? The facelift gets a redesigned front bumper and grille, with a ‘shark-nose’ design inspired by the Maserati MCPura supercar. The bumper also incorporates air curtains designed to guide airflow around the front wheel arches. Other changes include new 20-inch Asteria and 21-inch Crono alloy wheel designs, along with a new Grigio Lamiera Shiny paint finish available through the brand’s Fuoriserie personalisation programme.   What interior and feature updates will the Maserati Grecale facelift get? The cabin gets a new octagonal steering wheel, available in perforated leather or Alcantara, and a digital clo...

These days, I’ve been making a concerted effort to go analogue. Well, at least as analogue as life in 2026 will allow. Crucially, from the moment I wake up, I try to avoid screen time for as long as I can, with just a quick glance at my phone’s notifications tab to see if anything urgent needs tending to. I’ve been doing pretty well, if I may say so myself. Twist-action gear selector feels satisfying and intuitive. So imagine my frustration when I hop into the car for my commute to work – a time usually reserved for quiet contemplation, mental preparation, and perhaps relaxed music – and have my retinas assaulted by cricket-stadium brightness from a 15-inch panel. I feel like I’ve opened my work laptop, which isn’t supposed to happen for another half hour. This is the Volkswagen Tayron ’s calling card, but in my opinion, it detracts from what is otherwise a superbly resolved premium executive SUV. Its size and placement at the top of the dashboard means it never truly leaves your fiel...

I’ve always liked faired motorcycles and, having owned a Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 , the Aprilia seemed like the next good upgrade ever since it entered the Indian market. Initially, a lot of the bikes did face reliability issues, so I waited for around 2 years, after which I was comfortable with making the purchase, knowing the issues were resolved.  There are just 3 dealers in Mumbai that retail this bike, and all of them are a good one hour from where I live. The buying process was fairly straightforward. I did select a few accessories like the USB charger, extended windshield and the seat cowl, considering the GP Replica Edition already came standard with the quickshifter, sintered race pads and adjustable brake lever. Delivery of the bike took approximately a month. Standard on the GP Replica Edition and works really well in all conditions. The bike is a hoot to ride, irrespective of it being a short or long one. That engine, when paired with the quickshifter, really makes the en...

Mahindra recently introduced the XUV 3XO with the option of factory fitted CNG kit. Barring the KUV100 CNG, which was mainly fleet focused, the Mahindra XUV 3XO CNG is the company's first CNG vehicle aimed at private buyers. Priced between Rs. 9.99 lakh and Rs. 12.27 lakh (ex-showroom), the XUV 3XO CNG is available in four variants and costs roughly Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.2 lakh more than its equivalent petrol offerings and we've subjected it to our real world fuel efficiency tests. Gets twin CNG tanks underneath the boot floor Automatic stop-start feature is available, even in CNG mode ARAI claimed efficiency of 24.7km/kg Mahindra XUV 3XO CNG real-world fuel efficiency explained Powering the XUV 3XO CNG is the multi-point fuel injection (MPFi) turbo-petrol engine which gets a 10-bar CNG injection system, allowing it to produce the same 111hp and 200Nm both in the petrol and CNG mode. It features a twin cylinder CNG setup underneath the bootfloor with a capacity of 60 litres, whi...

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...