VR Tech Times

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For decades, the engine was the heart of a car. Power, refinement and fuel efficiency were the key measures of progress. Today, that focus has shifted. Increasingly, what sets cars apart is not what sits under the bonnet but the technology running behind the screens. In many ways, technology has moved from being an add-on to becoming the backbone of modern vehicle design. Speaking in a recent interaction with Autocar India, Sachin Lawande, the CEO of Visteon, said, “Today, the power of the chip matters more than the power of the engine.” Touchscreens, digital clusters, connected services and driver-assistance systems have become central to how buyers judge a car. In many segments, especially mass-market, technology and features now matter as much as – if not more than – outright performance. As Lawande put it, “We all grew up in an era where cars were about powerful engines. Now, the generation buying cars isn’t looking at horsepower – the focus is on technology.” Cars are now sof...

The Honda SP 125 is one of the more popular motorcycles in its class, offering a blend of refinement, fuel efficiency, and Honda's trademark build quality. The bike is available in just two variants that differ primarily in braking hardware and instrumentation. Here’s a look at what each variant has to offer and how much they cost. Honda SP 125 variant breakdown STD The base variant of the SP 125 comes with drum brakes at both ends and a combined braking system (CBS). It gets a digital instrument cluster that offers a decent amount of information inclyuding real-time fuel economy, average fuel economy, a service due indicator, gear position indicator, and an eco indicator. Standard features include an LED headlight, side-stand indicator with engine cut-off, and a 5-step adjustable rear suspension. The 124cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine makes 10.9hp and 10.9Nm of torque. At 116kg, this STD variant is the lighter of the two. The bike is priced at Rs 85,810 and both variant...

The Tata Punch EV is set to receive its first facelift tomorrow, marking an important update for Tata Motors ’ most affordable electric SUV. While the Punch EV has been on sale for just over two years, this refresh has been timed to bring it in line with the recently updated ICE Punch , and to keep it competitive in a fast-moving entry-EV space. Although Tata Motors has not revealed full details yet, enough information has emerged to give you a clear picture of what the Punch EV facelift is likely to bring. Here’s what we know so far about the Punch EV facelift ahead of its debut. What exterior changes will the Tata Punch EV facelift get? Subtle design revisions with EV-specific cues. Ahead of its launch, Tata has revealed the exterior of the Punch EV facelift. The front end gets a redesigned bumper with a closed-off grille. The black trim element that previously linked the headlamps has been removed, giving the front a cleaner appearance. Lower down, the scuff plate has also...

The Kia Seltos and the Maruti Grand Vitara are direct rivals in the midsize SUV segment, and both offer the convenience of an automatic gearbox with their respective naturally aspirated petrol engines. While the Seltos petrol uses a CVT, the Grand Vitara comes equipped with a torque converter. We find out which model is more efficient in the real world. Kia Seltos CVT vs Maruti Grand Vitara AT: Specifications, price Seltos pricier by Rs 2.21 lakh at the top-end. Midsize SUV Seltos Grand Vitara Engine 1497cc, NA, 4 cyl 1462cc, NA, 4 cyl Power 115hp at 6300rpm 103hp at 6000rpm Torque 144Nm at 4500rpm 139Nm at 4300rpm Drive layout FWD FWD Gearbox CVT 6AT Fuel tank 47 litres 45 litres Price (ex-showroom) Rs 13.39 lakh-19.49 lakh Rs 13.45 lakh-17.28 lakh As the table shows, the Kia SUV clearly leads on engine output here, producing 12hp and 36Nm more than the Maruti Grand Vitara. It's petrol tank is also slightly larger by 2 litres. T...

Audi India is adding another model to its Q8 line-up – the SQ8, which serves as a more potent version of the standard Q8 SUV and will be more affordable than the significantly more powerful RS Q8 Performance. Here is everything you can expect from the SQ8 ahead of its launch on March 17, 2026 . What is the expected price of the Audi SQ8, and who are its rivals? SQ8 price could be around Rs 1.9 crore, ex-showroom Expect the Audi SQ8’s price to fall between that of the standard Q8 and the top-of-the-line RS Q8, which are priced at Rs 1.13 crore and Rs 2.34 crore, ex-showroom, respectively. So, the SQ8 could be priced at around Rs 1.9 crore, positioning it as an alternative to the Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 AMG Coupe and Porsche Cayenne GTS . What engine and gearbox power the Audi SQ8? Gets the RS Q8’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine  Acting as a midpoint between the Q8 and RS Q8, the SQ8 features a slightly sportier look and chassis upgrades over the standard Q8 and is powered b...

The Bajaj Dominar was launched back in 2016, it is positioned as the brand’s sporty tourer. To support this, it gets some touring specific accessories as well. Here are a few things to know about the Dominar 400, if it’s on your radar. What is the peak output of the Bajaj Dominar 400? The Dominar 400 comes powered by a KTM-derived 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 40hp and 35Nm of torque. This engine comes mated to a six-speed gearbox with slip and assist clutch. What are the touring focused accessories that the Bajaj Dominar 400 gets? The Dominar 400 comes with a wind-deflector and handguards. In addition to this, the Dominar features a tail rack from the factory and Bajaj will also sell you a top box that can be mounted on it. It also gets built-in bungee straps under the tail section.   What features does the Bajaj Dominar 400 get? The Dominar 400 comes with a negative LCD dash with a secondary display that provides gear position information. In...

from Autocar India https://ift.tt/2GOAIPo

The compact SUV segment is becoming increasingly competitive, comprising of nearly a dozen models across a wide price bracket. But which is the quickest of the lot? We've brought together seven popular models in the segment, tested their 0-100kph timings and ranked them in ascending order. For this comparison, we've chosen the top-spec petrol-AT variants as all the SUVs here offer this powertrain combination. Compact SUV petrol engine specifications The XUV 3XO produces the most power; Brezza’s naturally aspirated engine is the weakest here Engine Specifications Maruti Brezza  Kia Syros Tata Nexon Hyundai Venue Kia Sonet Skoda Kylaq Mahindra XUV 3XO Engine type Naturally aspirated Turbo-petrol Turbo-petrol Turbo-petrol Turbo-petrol Turbo-petrol Turbo-petrol Displacement (litres) 1.5-litre 1.0-litre 1.2-litre 1.0-litre 1.0-litre   1.0-litre 1.2-litre No. of cylinders 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 ...

We’ve already covered the second-generation Kia Seltos , highlighting its spacious cabin, high-quality interior and the notably more pliant ride. We’ve also spoken about the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine’s strong performance and the 1.5-litre turbo-diesel’s relative lack of punch. This review, however, is focused squarely on the most sensible-sounding option in the line-up: the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol paired with a CVT (IVT in Kia speak) gearbox. Kia Seltos IVT exterior design and engineering - 7/10 Seltos IVT available across Tech Line, GT Line and X-Line style packages First things first. The IVT is no longer restricted to a mid-spec variant as was the case on the last-gen Seltos. There are nine trims to choose from, spread across Tech Line, GT Line and X-Line styling packages. Featured here is the Seltos IVT in GTX (A) form, and the thing to bring in is that it looks no different to an equivalent trim turbo-petrol DCT or diesel-auto. To quickly talk design and sty...

Ducati has introduced Ducati Factory Made (DFM), a new customisation programme that allows buyers to personalise their motorcycle with options installed directly on the production line. The programme has debuted in Europe with Multistrada V4 . Programme debuts with Multistrada V4 in Europe Allows customisation of wheels, brake calipers, seats, and suspension Offers exclusive colour schemes including Lamborghini Ad Personam options Ducati Factory Made customisation programme Customers can handpick options based on their preferences Through the programme, customers can choose from cast wheels in multiple colours, forged light alloy wheels, or spoked wheels, along with colour options for the rear frame and brake calipers. Seat height can also be configured for both rider and passenger, and suspension settings can be adjusted to suit individual preferences. The programme further includes accessories from Ducati’s Touring, Adventure, Sport, Tech, and Enduro packages, allowing custo...