VR Tech Times

Under the Bajaj umbrella, both KTM and Triumph offer multiple motorcycles with varying levels of off-road capability across different displacement classes. Bajaj itself, however, doesn’t currently have a proper adventure or dual-sport model in its own portfolio. But that could soon change. A video circulating online has revealed a heavily camouflaged Bajaj motorcycle testing alongside models like the Bajaj Pulsar N250, and from what can be seen, this could potentially be the brand’s most off-road-focused motorcycle yet. Gets wire-spoke wheels Features an upswept exhaust and rally-style single-piece seat Upcoming Bajaj dual sport: What we know so far The test mule seen in the video is heavily camouflaged, so concrete details are still limited. That said, a few important elements are clearly visible, including familiar looking brake lamps. One of the first noticeable details is the presence of wire-spoke wheels, in what looks like to be a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear setup. The tyres ...

Despite the advent of sporty turbo-petrol motors, naturally aspirated petrol engines continue to comprise a major chunk of sales in the compact SUV segment. Two of the most popular compact SUVs, the Hyundai Venue and Maruti Suzuki Brezza , are offered with naturally aspirated petrol mills. Question is, which one fares better when you put your foot down? To find out, we put the Venue and Brezza through our instrumented performance tests. Hyundai Venue vs Maruti Brezza NA petrol MT specs and price Hyundai Venue vs Maruti Brezza NA petrol MT specifications and price compared   Venue Brezza Engine 1.2-litre, 4 cyls, petrol 1.5-litre, 4 cyls, petrol Power (hp) 83 103 Torque (Nm) 115 139 Gearbox 5-speed manual 5-speed manual Kerb weight (kg) 1,127 1,190 Power-to-weight ratio 73.65hp/tonne 86.55hp/tonne Torque-to-weight ratio 102.04Nm/tonne 116.81Nm/tonne Price range* (Rs, lakh) 8.00-10.89  8.26-11.51 *Excluding premiums for dual-tone finishes and cosmetic packages. On paper, the B...

In India, the 200cc motorcycle segment attracts buyers who want a more performance-focused machine than a typical everyday commuter. The bikes in this category offer decent levels of performance, and the riding experience starts getting more nuanced. So, if you are wondering which 200cc bikes command the highest prices in India, here are the five most expensive ones currently on sale. All prices mentioned are ex-showroom, Delhi, and the bikes are listed in ascending order of price. Hero Xpulse 200 4V   Rs 1.43-1.56 lakh The Xpulse 200 4V is a dual-purpose motorcycle that is powered by a 199.6cc oil-cooled engine that produces 19.1hp and 17.35Nm. It is one of the few bikes in this segment that works both as an everyday commuter and a capable off-road bike. Its tall stance, long-travel suspension, 21-inch front spoke wheel, and 220mm of ground clearance make it well-suited for broken roads and trails that other bikes would struggle with. This  Hero bike comes equipped with thr...

May 2026 saw a lot of interesting car launches, including the 2026 Tata Tiago ICE and Tiago EV , Honda City facelift , MG Majestor , and BMW M440i Convertible , along with the launch of special edition versions of the Mercedes GLE and GLS and Mini Cooper S . This string of launches is expected to continue in June 2026, with Mercedes-Benz launching their updated flagship sedan, BMW launching a coupe-SUV and possible launches of a Tata EV and BYD PHEV. Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift Launch date: June 15, 2026 Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that the S-Class facelift will be launched in India on June 15, 2026. The plug-in hybrid S 450e variant will be offered here in India, which comes with a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline-six engine mated to an electric motor powered by a 22kWh battery. It is the first PHEV S-Class in India, with an output of 435hp and 680Nm and a claimed 0-100kph time of 5.7 seconds. The S-Class is expected to get a petrol powertrain at a later date, but it is unc...

GTI and RS are two of the most well-known and sought-after badges in the "budget" performance space. Budget in quotes because, well, at Rs 50 lakh, it’s relative to other performance machines that, like these two - Skoda Octavia RS and Volkswagen Golf GTI - are also burdened by the heavy taxes levied on CBUs. Mechanically, both are identical and are built on the VW Group's MQB Evo platform. Both are powered by VW Group's famed EA888 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that sends 265hp and 370Nm to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. But crucially, both feature an electronically limited-slip differential that helps manage the power so that the front wheels don’t get overwhelmed. So, the difference in performance comes down to smaller things like the tyres, kerb weight and, of course, the driver. We brought the two together to compare them purely in terms of performance, around the race track and on a drag strip. Here’s how it unrav...

Indian Motorcycle has announced the launch of American Racing Operations (ARO), a new performance-focused division that will develop factory-backed upgrades, accessories and technology solutions for the brand's motorcycles. Pronounced "Arrow", the new division is intended to serve as Indian Motorcycle's in-house performance arm, drawing on technology and expertise from the company's racing programmes, including its MotoAmerica King of the Baggers effort. ARO will develop performance parts and accessories for Indian motorcycles First product is a GP Slip-On Exhaust for select PowerPlus-powered models Future range to include intake systems and other performance upgrades First ARO product revealed The first product to emerge from the new division is the ARO-GP Slip-On Exhaust, developed for select Indian bagger and touring motorcycles powered by the PowerPlus engine. Designed by Terry Vance, founder of Vance & Hines and principal of Indian Motorcycle's fact...

Vietnamese carmaker Vinfast was quick to establish its presence in India with its two offerings – the VF6 and VF7 – and, over the past few months, has secured a spot among the top five bestselling EV manufacturers in the country. Both crossovers contribute almost equally to volumes, and in a recent interaction, Vinfast India CEO Tapan Kumar Ghosh credited strong design appeal, competitive pricing and ownership schemes aimed at lowering total cost of ownership for driving demand. In this test, we examine the company’s flagship crossover in India, the VF7, which takes on rivals such as the Mahindra XEV 9e and Tata Harrier EV . It’s offered with two battery options – 59.8kWh and 70.8kWh. The smaller pack is paired with a single motor driving the front wheels, while the larger battery also gets a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup in higher variants. We put the top-spec dual-motor AWD version to the test to see how it performs in the real world. Design and Engineering – 7/10 Looks dist...

The 350cc KTM 390 Duke is the more affordable alternative to the 399cc 390 Duke R, which continues to be sold alongside it. The 390 Duke now uses a 349.3cc engine, but retains the same chassis, features and styling as the Duke R. Here's what works in its favour and a couple of reasons it might not be the best option. Reasons to buy the 350cc KTM 390 Duke  Value for money The 350cc Duke's biggest strength is straightforward. At Rs 2.77 lakh, it undercuts the 390 Duke R by Rs 62,000 while delivering the same chassis, suspension, brakes, TFT display, traction control, launch control, cornering ABS and bi-directional quickshifter. That is a substantial saving for zero compromise on features or equipment. For buyers upgrading from smaller motorcycles, the price advantage makes a compelling case. Easier and more approachable to ride The downsized engine has changed the Duke's character considerably – and for some riders, that might just be a good thing. The aggressive mid-range ...