VR Tech Times

The Skoda Kodiaq RS is built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB Evo platform and finds competition in the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line . Within a claimed six minutes of Skoda opening bookings for the Kodiaq RS in India, all 50 units were already spoken for. That said, the brand could allocate a second batch for our market if there’s enough demand. If you’re a prospective buyer of this 7-seater performance SUV, here are its pros and cons. Lively engine and gearbox Rev-happy engine snarls when pushed, adding to the engagement Skoda has tweaked the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol direct injection engine for the Kodiaq RS. It now produces 265hp and 400Nm of torque – that’s 61hp and 80Nm more than the standard model. Not only does this engine pull hard all the way to 6,500rpm, but the power it produces remains usable throughout the rev-range. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is also quick to shift and feels responsive when using the paddle shifters. Moreover, the sporty notes p...

Alongside the Xoom 125 Adventure , Hero MotoCorp has filed a design patent in India for another product first showcased at EICMA 2025 – the Vida NEX 2. Part of the Vida Novus concept line-up, the NEX 2 is a self-balancing electric trike designed for urban mobility. First shown as a concept at EICMA 2025 as part of the Vida Novus line-up Features a tilting, self-balancing three-wheel setup Hero Vida NEX 2: What we know The Nex 2 uses a complex front suspension setup that allows it to lean into corners The NEX 2 was positioned at EICMA as a compact electric trike designed to combine the riding experience of a conventional two-wheeler with the added stability of three wheels. One of its defining features is a self-balancing system, which allows the vehicle to stabilise itself automatically at low speeds and when stationary. Looking at the design patent, the NEX 2’s overall silhouette is more akin to the Yamaha Niken than the Piaggio MP3 – you sit on it like a conventional motorcycle rat...

Bajaj Auto Chairman Niraj Bajaj has outlined the company's key priorities for FY27 in its annual report, identifying the domestic 125cc-plus motorcycle segment, the Chetak electric scooter business and exports as its primary growth drivers. The announcement comes on the back of a record FY26, during which Bajaj Auto crossed five million annual unit sales for the first time. Bajaj Auto to strengthen 125cc-plus motorcycle business  Plans to expand Chetak brand while improving product proposition and profitability Exports to remain a major focus Bajaj Auto FY27 priorities KTM turnaround described as a "work in progress, well underway" On the domestic motorcycle front, Bajaj Auto's priority for FY27 is to strengthen its competitiveness in the 125cc-plus segment through a combination of new products, brand interventions and improved market execution. One of those products is likely to be the next-generation Pulsar, which was recently spotted testing on an all-new platform...

Bajaj Auto’s Chetak - India’s second bestselling electric two-wheeler - has surpassed the cumulative 8 lakh unit sales mark, six and a half years after it first went on sale. As per the latest data on the government’s Vahan portal, Bajaj has delivered a total of 8,00,085 e-scooters since January 2020 till June 27, 2026. This makes it only the third electric two wheeler manufacturer to surpass the 8 lakh unit retail sales mark after Ola Electric and TVS Motor Co , both of which have sold over 10 lakh electric two-wheelers. Year Retail sales YoY % change Total e-2W sales Chetak % share 2020 1,243 - 30,144 4.12% 2021 4,765 283% 1,64,195 2.90% 2022 26,758 461% 6,61,636 4.04% 2023 75,112 181% 9,01,799 8.32% 2024 2,01,166 168% 12,14,757 16.56% 2025 2,79.685 39% 13,42,239 20.83% 2026 (Till June 27) 2,11,356 51% 9,39,659 22.49% Total 8,00,085   52,54,429 15.22% Bajaj Auto, which also manufactures EVs for Yulu, India’s largest last mile electric mobility player, and is estimated to have s...

Tata Motors is set to reveal the production-spec Sierra EV tomorrow. First shown as a concept at Auto Expo 2020, the midsize SUV is expected to share much of its technology with the Harrier EV while carrying forward the Sierra’s distinctive design. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of its debut.  What battery and powertrain options will the Tata Sierra EV get? 65kWh and 75kWh battery packs likely The Sierra EV could use Tata’s acti.ev+ architecture that underpins the Harrier EV. It is also likely to share the Harrier EV’s 65kWh and 75kWh battery pack options, although Tata has not yet confirmed the final specifications. Tata Motors has already confirmed that the Sierra EV will be offered in both rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations , with the latter expected to be reserved for the larger 75kWh battery pack.  Since the Sierra EV is smaller than the Harrier EV, it could offer a higher claimed driving range using the same battery packs. For re...

The Triumph Tracker 400 is the newest addition to the Indian-made Triumph lineup and, on paper at least, the most distinctive of the lot. It draws its design inspiration from flat-track racing, with a wider fuel tank, chunky dual-purpose tyres, number board-style panels and a flyscreen. Here's what works in its favour and a couple of reasons it might not be for you. Reasons to buy the Triumph Tracker 400 Eye-catching, distinctive design The Tracker 400 is the most visually striking motorcycle in the Indian Triumph range. The wider tank, cast aluminium headlamp mount, flyscreen and number board panels give it a strong, individual character that you won't find anywhere else at this price. During our time with the bike, it attracted more attention than any of the other single-cylinder Triumphs – and for riders who want something that stands apart from the crowd of retro-styled commuters in this segment, that matters. The tail section, shared with the Thruxton, is the one visual w...

While modern cars are more reliable than ever, mechanical and electrical failures can still occur, which is where a warranty is useful. Simply put, it is the carmaker’s assurance that the vehicle is free from manufacturing defects. If a part fails because of such a defect within the specified time or kilometre limit, the company bears the cost of repairing or replacing it. Here’s a closer look at some of the most important questions surrounding car warranties. Disclaimer: Warranty terms and conditions vary from one manufacturer to another. It is always recommended to check with your carmaker for the exact coverage and exclusions. What does a car warranty actually cover? A factory warranty mainly covers key components that are expected to last the life of the vehicle under normal use. These include the powertrain, engine, fuel pumps and transmission. It also covers components such as the steering system, suspension linkages and braking system. Factory-fitted electrical components are ...

There’s quite a lot happening in the lead image of this story. It captures both India’s steadily improving charging infrastructure and the evolution of the Creta itself – from the first-generation SUV that helped define this segment to the modern electric version that hints at where the future is headed. But there’s another reason this image felt appropriate. Recently, Hyundai called our long-term Creta Electric back for a software update that promised faster DC charging speeds. Naturally, the first thing I did after getting the car back was put that claim to the test. DC fast charging speeds have significantly improved, now resulting in quicker charging stops. After running the battery down to below 20 percent SoC, I headed to a 150kW DC fast charger located in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex. What followed genuinely surprised me. The Creta Electric was now peaking at 72kW while charging, and more importantly, it consistently maintained average charging speeds of 67kW – a massive im...

Bajaj recently downsized the Pulsar NS400Z’s engine from 373cc to 349cc, bringing a small reduction in peak output and a big reduction in price. After having ridden it, here are 2 reasons the biggest Pulsar ever should be on your shopping list and 2 why you should look elsewhere. Reasons to buy the Pulsar NS400Z Engaging handling, great brakes The Pulsar NS400Z was always an engaging machine in the twisties and the downsized 349cc version continues in that vein. It tips in quite quickly and holds the line well once leaned over, inspiring confidence to push harder, although there is one caveat we’ll address later on. What also inspires confidence is that the NS400Z has strong and sharp brakes that help you come to a halt quickly in a controlled fashion, further building confidence when riding spiritedly. Still a very quick bike Despite the downsized 349cc now making lower peak output compared to the earlier 373cc version - 40.6hp/33.2Nm vs 43hp/35Nm, respectively - the NS400Z is still ...

Two-strokes have all but become a relic of the past, pushed out by increasingly stringent emissions regulations. However, there are still manufacturers challenging that notion, and just this past month we saw Kawasaki keep that spirit alive with the introduction of the KX237 . More often than not, though, it's small garage-based outfits and ambitious engineering startups that experiment with concepts like this. The latest example comes from Oxfordshire, UK-based startup Veloce Motorcycles. What you're looking at in the image above is what the company calls the Aperion – presumably a play on the Greek word Apeiron , meaning something that is limitless or unbounded. And that is certainly one way to describe this motorcycle. Eight-cylinder, 1,000cc two-stroke producing a claimed 280hp at 12,000rpm Engine, chassis and transmission combined into a single structural unit Limited to 24 units Veloce Aperion details The X configuration allows opposing forces within the engine to cancel...

The last few months sure haven’t been easy for anyone shopping for a midsize SUV, because every time you think you’ve zeroed in on the right model for your needs, out comes a new one. This avalanche of new launches started with the Tata Sierra – an iconic nameplate brought back for a new generation of buyers. Then we got the second-generation Kia Seltos – bigger and better in every way. The Renault Duster also made a comeback to the very segment it started back in 2012. Most recently came the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun (see box) that have been given makeovers for 2026 and beyond. Over the next few pages, we’ll make your job easier by telling you which is the right model for you. Sierra vs Seltos vs Duster vs Kushaq: Exterior design Pronounced bonnet bulges give Duster visual muscle. Let’s start with the way they look. The Renault Duster, with its class-best 212mm of ground clearance, pronounced cladding, and even functional roof rails, clearly communicates a rugged look. There...