VR Tech Times

from Autocar India https://ift.tt/n2aedzq

Double-digit fuel economy figures – I haven’t seen those on my daily commute in years! Part of the reason is that I’ve been driving mostly EVs lately, and they don’t use any fuel. And the other is that there are so few diesels , and those that remain have taken quite a hit on the economy front with all those emissions upgrades and various weight increases. So imagine my surprise when this large, heavy, super-luxurious limousine showed me upwards of 12kpl on my traffic-heavy 9km commute.  Smooth 2.0-litre diesel delivers exceptional economy even in this large and heavy limousine. The fuel economy is but one of many bright blips on a limo that wastes no time showing you why it’s India’s favourite luxury car. And that’s despite its on-road price knocking on the door of a crore. It looks tremendous, more so in this Verde Silver paint, a shade I’m glad Mercedes added to its otherwise monochrome palette. It’s big but not ungainly, and its 18-inch wheels are a triumph of design - looki...

The TVS Ronin has posted its strongest-ever quarterly performance, with wholesales of 28,619 units in Q1 FY27 – a 97 percent year-on-year increase over the 14,530 units sold in the same period last year.  TVS Ronin posts 97 percent YoY growth with 28,619 units in Q1 FY27 Holds a 36 percent share of the 200-250cc segment On course to cross 1 lakh annual sales for the first time in FY27 TVS Ronin sales surge The segment itself grew 107 percent YoY – the fastest of any displacement band The result gives the Ronin an 8 percent share of TVS's total motorcycle dispatches for the quarter, doubling its 4 percent share from a year ago. Cumulative sales since launch have crossed the 1.75 lakh mark. The Ronin's strong numbers are partly a reflection of what's happening more broadly in the 200-250cc segment, which saw total sales of 78,880 units in Q1 FY27 – more than double the 38,157 units sold in the same period last year, making it the fastest-growing displacement band in the two-...

Somewhere in the folds of the Western Ghats, where the Mumbai-Pune Expressway peels off from Lonavala into quieter country, a piece of land is being reshaped into what will, by this time next year, become Maharashtra’s first race track. Except to call it just a race track undersells the ambition entirely. What is rising here, on the grounds of the Nanoli Stud Farm, is a race resort, where cars are not just driven or raced, but lived with. The Dhunjibhoy family has owned this land for decades, ever since the Nanoli Stud and Agricultural Farm was set up in the early 1990s. Khushroo Dhunjibhoy has spent a lifetime around shipping and thoroughbreds, and it is that same instinct for breeding something exceptional that he and his son, Zahir, have turned toward motorsport. Aerial view of Nanoli before the tarmac is laid. This 3km circuit will be Maharashtra’s first and a haven for enthusiasts in western India. Their plan is not a bare circuit with a pit lane bolted on. It is villas, high-end...

Honda has been steadily expanding its premium motorcycle portfolio in India and recently unveiled multiple new models across different segments. The brand is expected to launch the XR300 L and XR300 Rally in the Indian market in November 2026, marking the brand's entry into the entry-level dual-sport and adventure motorcycle segment. Honda XR300 L and XR300 Rally are expected to launch in India in November 2026. XR300 L expected price: Rs 2.00 lakh and Rs 2.10 lakh (ex-showroom). XR300 Rally expected price: Rs 2.20 lakh to Rs 2.30 lakh (ex-showroom). Both bikes use the same 293.5cc engine. The Honda XR300 L is expected to be priced between Rs 2.00 lakh and Rs 2.10 lakh (ex-showroom), while the more adventure-focused XR300 Rally could carry an expected price tag of Rs 2.20 lakh to Rs 2.30 lakh (ex-showroom). While Honda has not officially confirmed the launch timeline or pricing, the two motorcycles are expected to cater to riders looking for capable yet accessible machines. The XR...

Renault Group India CEO Stephane Deblaise took charge of the company in September last year, and since then, the carmaker has been busy expanding and refreshing its India line-up. In this interview, Deblaise talks about the response to the new Renault Duster and the possibility of a more affordable automatic variant, the company's upcoming product plans, progress on the Bridger compact SUV concept, and how Renault plans to strengthen its position in the Indian market. On the response to the 1.0-litre Duster It’s still early, so we don’t know the exact response, but it’s a key part of our phased strategy, which was to first focus on the 160hp DCT that is the high-end version in the ICE car. And then we want to introduce the 100hp, the more ‘regular’ car, which is less expensive. That Rs 10.5 lakh price is very, very good for people who want to enter the B+ SUV segment, and it has very good fuel efficiency. Moreover, the Duster is a very good car, and people are loyal to good cars...

from Autocar India https://ift.tt/oI4BXEL

The Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO offer buyers two types of turbo-petrol engines. All turbo-petrol versions of the Nexon use multi-point fuel injection (MPFI), with lower trims being mated to an AMT (automated manual transmission) gearbox, while higher trims use a dual-clutch automatic (DCT) gearbox. Meanwhile, all turbo-petrol versions of the XUV 3XO feature a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission (AT), with gasoline direct injection (GDI) only reserved for the top-spec version. So, if you want the convenience of a proper automatic gearbox plus the performance associated with a turbo-petrol engine without sacrificing fuel economy, which of these two cars should you consider? Explore full specs, features and a price breakdown in our Nexon vs XUV 3XO comparison. Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO turbo-petrol automatic: Specifications While torque spread is comparable in both, the XUV 3XO has a distinct power advantage Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic: Specifications...

The Hyundai i20 has long been one of the benchmarks in the premium hatchback segment. Along with a spacious cabin, comfortable ride and a feature-rich interior, it offers buyers a choice of manual and automatic transmissions, while those seeking more performance can opt for the sportier i20 N Line. However, its premium pricing (Rs 6 lakh to Rs 11.59 lakh) means it faces stiff competition from both premium hatchbacks and similarly priced compact SUVs. Here’s a look at the Hyundai i20’s biggest strengths and weaknesses. Pros 1. Spacious and comfortable cabin One of the i20’s biggest strengths is its cabin. It offers generous rear-seat space for a premium hatchback, with enough legroom and headroom to comfortably accommodate taller passengers. The front seats are supportive, the dashboard layout is intuitive, and the cabin feels airy thanks to its low-set dashboard. Practicality is another strong point, with a 311-litre boot that’s well suited to everyday use and weekend trips. 2. Well-...

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed a new set of regulations for two-wheeled road ambulances, outlining dedicated safety, equipment and periodic fitness standards under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Two-wheeled ambulances to get dedicated fitness inspection norms Fitness certificate renewal proposed every two years Full AIS:209 compliance for new vehicles from October 1, 2027 What the draft rules propose Under the draft amendments, two-wheeled road ambulances will undergo dedicated fitness inspections covering the structural integrity of the patient unit, tyres and wheels, emergency warning lights, stretcher mounting and locking mechanisms, patient restraint belts, stretcher loading systems and the presence of a valid fire extinguisher. The proposal also fixes the validity of renewed fitness certificates for these vehicles at two years. Compliance timeline MoRTH has proposed that top-mounted warning lights on two-wheeled ambulances comply with AI...

There’s no simpler way to compare one car’s performance to another than with a head-to-head quarter-mile race.   In this edition of Autocar India’s quarter-mile racing series, we line up some exciting head-to-head contests, beginning with the compact SUV segment. We’ve brought together what are arguably the two most exciting offerings in this segment – the Skoda Kylaq and the Mahindra XUV 3XO – for a battle down the airstrip.  Skoda Kylaq vs Mahindra XUV 3XO specifications    Skoda Kylaq vs Mahindra XUV 3XO AT: Engine specifications   Skoda Kylaq TGDi AT Mahindra XUV 3XO TGDi AT Engine 3 cyls, turbo-petrol 3 cyls, turbo-petrol Displacement (cc) 999 1197 Power (hp) 116 130 Torque (Nm) 178 230 Kerb weight (kg) 1,255 1,410 Power-to-weight (hp per tonne) 92.43 92.13 Torque-to-weight (Nm per tonne) 141.83 163 Gearbox 6-speed torque converter 6-speed torque converter Both the Skoda Kylaq and the Mahindra XUV 3XO use 3-cylinder direct injection, turbo-petrol engin...

Bajaj Auto has confirmed a product announcement for August 12 in Pune. While the company has not revealed what it will unveil, the event is widely expected to mark the debut of the revamped Classic Pulsar range that Autocar India had exclusively reported on earlier this year. Bajaj has announced a new Pulsar event for August 12 Refreshed Classic Pulsar range is expected to make its debut Teaser silhouette also appears to hint at an updated Pulsar N160 August 12 debut confirmed Bajaj Auto has sent out media invitations for an event scheduled on August 12. The invite carries the tagline “Pulsar. Definitely Daring.” and is accompanied by a teaser image of a motorcycle, although the company has stopped short of revealing the model. Based on Autocar India’s earlier exclusive, the event is expected to see the debut of Bajaj’s all-new Classic Pulsar range. The company had confirmed to us that the iconic lineup would receive a comprehensive overhaul in 2026, making this one of the bigges...

After the Carens Clavis EV, the Kia Syros EV is the carmaker’s second mass-market zero-emission vehicle in India. The electric Syros rivals the Mahindra XUV 3XO EV and the Tata Nexon EV, and we recently got behind the wheel to find out what it does well and where it falls short. If you are planning to bring this Kia EV home, here are three reasons to consider it and two reasons why you may want to think again. Pros Impressive performance and range First, let’s discuss some numbers. The Kia Syros EV is offered with two battery pack options: 42kWh and 51.4kWh. Both power a front axle-mounted electric motor, producing 135hp with the smaller battery and 171hp with the larger unit. Torque remains the same at 255Nm for both versions. We drove the 51.4kWh version, which Kia claims can sprint from 0-100kph in 8.1 seconds. In our experience, performance was brisk. The EV comes with Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes, and throttle response becomes a little sharper as you move through them. Ini...

The TVS Raider 125 Super Squad Edition lineup has been expanded with a new Doctor Doom-inspired variant, priced at Rs 95,320 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The latest addition brings a fresh Marvel-themed design to the 125cc commuter while retaining the same mechanical package as the standard Super Squad Edition. Doctor Doom-inspired Super Squad Edition launched at Rs 95,320 New Spectral Green paint with character-themed graphics No mechanical changes TVS Raider 125 Doctor Doom Edition: what's new? Marvel-themed Super Squad lineup, comprising the Raider 125 and NTorq, have crossed the 5 lakh mark since its launch. The new Doctor Doom Edition is finished in a Spectral Green paint scheme that features a multi-tone effect, shifting from green to brown under different lighting conditions. It also gets Doctor Doom-inspired graphics on the fuel tank and side panels, joining the existing Super Squad Edition range that includes Iron Man, Black Panther, Deadpool and Wolverine-themed motorcycles. ...