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Royal Enfield Goan Classic long-term review, 500km report

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I own a Royal Enfield – words that teenage me thought I would never say. I grew up wanting fast, agile and naked motorcycles, but having ridden all new REs over the past few years, I was smitten, and I knew I’d have to own one. Rishaad was kind enough to let me write a feature story for the Goan Classic 350 in the June 2025 issue, and it was the most memorable motorcycle I’ve tested all year. I concluded that story by saying that if I were to ever buy a second bike, I would 100 percent buy a Rave Red Goan Classic 350. And now, after months of pondering and plotting, I finally decided to pull the trigger. It joins my 2015 KTM 390 Duke , which is poles apart, but that’s what I love about them. One’s slow and heavy, while the other is sharp and light, and I love having that option depending on my mood. Vibrant colours, coloured rims and white wall tyres mean it’s a head turner. I’ve had it for a couple of weeks now, and it’s everything I want it to be. My family loves it, people st...
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Kia Syros long term review, 9000km report

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Our long-term garage just got a new member – the Kia Syros – and it’s been drawing quite a few curious glances already. The version that’s joined the Autocar India fleet is the top-of-the-line HTX Plus (O) 1.0-litre turbo-petrol with the 7-speed DCT gearbox. On paper, it seems like a sweet spot between practicality and premium appeal, and after spending a little time with it, there’s already plenty to talk about. Let’s start with the way it looks. I’ll admit I wasn’t instantly taken by the design when I first saw it. The Syros is boxy, and its quirky lines give it a rather unconventional stance. But the more time I spend around it, the more it’s starting to grow on me. There’s something inherently likeable about its squared-off, upright proportions; they lend it a certain personality that’s missing in the more rounded, soft-edged SUVs we’re used to. It’s not pretty in the traditional sense, but it’s definitely distinctive. Lots of storage space in the cabin makes it easy to store...
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Viaterra Austin riding jeans review

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If there’s one thing that puts people off with motorcycle riding gear (apart from how expensive it can get!), it is that it’s cumbersome and makes you stand out in a crowd. The latter, in particular, can be problematic for people who want protection for the ride to work, but also want to blend in at the office. This is where riding jeans come in, and the Viaterra Austin is an option that has been around for some time now. For 2025, not much has changed in terms of materials or protection, but the company has worked on improving the fit and look. Fit-wise, these jeans are now modelled around the ubiquitous Levi’s 501s, and that gives them a very ‘normal’ look. Happily, they just about fit over the tops of full length sporty riding boots, but you won’t be able to get them over more bulky off-road boots. The use of very thin and flexible SasTec CE level 2 armour also greatly helps in keeping the subtle look without any large protrusions at the knees or hips. Most people would never kno...
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6 things to know before buying the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450

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The Guerrilla is Royal-Enfield’s first proper plunge in the 400cc roadster class of motorcycles that typically come with a liquid-cooled engine. Here are a few things to keep in mind before buying the Guerrilla 450.  1. What is the output of the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450? The Guerrilla is powered by the same 452cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine as the Himalayan 450. Here too, it produces 40hp and 40Nm, and comes paired to a 6-speed gearbox. In our instrumented performance test, the Guerrilla managed a 0 to 60kph and 0 to 100kph sprint of 2.96 seconds and 6.59 seconds, respectively.  2. What is the seat-height and kerb-weight of the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450? The Guerrilla 450 has a seat height of 780mm and a kerb weight of 184kg 3. Does the Royal Enfield Guerrilla get a TFT dash? Yes, the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 features the same Tripper TFT dash that earlier debuted on the Himalayan 450. However, that’s reserved for the top-two Dash and Flash variant ...
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Exclusive! Honda open to supplying future products to Indian carmakers

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As part of its ambitious ‘re-ignite India’ plan—which includes 10 new models by 2030— Honda is exploring the possibility of supplying products, platforms and electrification technology to other Indian carmakers. It marks a major pivot for a company that has traditionally operated in isolation, even as alliances have become standard practice across the industry. Honda may share its platforms, powertrains with OEMs Hybrid systems may also be shared India is a core pillar of Honda's revival strategy Honda's product sharing plan details What Honda is willing to share is still being defined. The arrangement could range from full badge-engineered models to platform and powertrain sharing, or even access to Honda’s new ASIMO software operating system, which will underpin its future 0 Series EVs. Honda’s expertise in hybrid systems is another area where it could add meaningful value for Indian OEMs. The logic is clear: the auto industry is becoming more capital-intensive than...
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Fastest charging electric midsize SUVs in India

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In recent years, the popularity of the electric midsize SUV segment has grown and several contenders have entered the fray. This isn’t all that surprising because, like ICE-powered midsize SUVs, they strike a great balance between proportions, daily usability, power, features, and importantly, price. As is the case with EVs, though, range anxiety remains a concern among buyers, which carmakers are attempting to partly alleviate via faster charging speeds. To that end, we’ve ranked every electric midsize SUV on sale in India in descending order of claimed charging time. AC fast charging times have been used as the basis of the rankings. Note: The Vinfast VF6 hasn't been included in this list as the company has yet to reveal AC charging times for the electric SUV; it only claims a DC fast charging time of 25min for a 10-70 percent charge. 5. Mahindra BE 6 0-100 percent in 8.7 hours (7.2kW) Price: Rs 18.90-26.90 lakh (without charger) Arguably the wildest-looking Mahindra yo...
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Ather Rizta long term review, 4,500km report

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Our long-term Rizta is finally back after a rather extended sabbatical. It hasn’t been used for a few months since Zaran reported the issue that sent it into limp mode repeatedly and resulted in it going back to the Ather service centre once again. The problem was diagnosed to be a wiring issue resulting from a rat bite, and it has now been ironed out. In the interim that the Rizta was away, its odo has crossed the 4,000km mark. My daily commute to the office is a 34km round trip along the Western Express Highway, an ideal testing ground for any 2-wheeler. Since I joined Autocar nearly a year ago, I’ve been doing this on a bike that isn’t exactly built for city congestion, my personal Triumph Street Triple S. So, when Dinshaw offered me the Rizta, I jumped at the chance. This is my first experience with electric mobility, and so far, it makes great sense for daily commuting. But it’s not without its quirks. On a petrol bike, running low on juice is never a concern; a brief halt will...
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Viaterra M200 rain pants review

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The M200 is the latest offering from Viaterra when it comes to rain protection, and these pants have some thoughtful features built in. With rain pants for use on motorcycles, it’s crucial to be able to quickly slip them on once the rain arrives, and the M200 is built with that in mind. Both legs have water resistant YKK zippers at the rear that run all the way up to the knee, which makes it a breeze to get them on and off even when wearing full-size riding boots. The pants themselves are quite lightweight and pack down to a nice compact size, which can be tucked away into a backpack when not in use. Other thoughtful aspects include a pre-curved shape to the legs – to make them more comfortable in a seated position – and large reflective panels on the sides of the hip and knee areas. Viaterra has also used a rip-stop material, which they say makes the pants more durable in the long run. Tall zipper at the rear makes the pants easy to get on and off. A couple of interesting featur...
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BMW i5 LWB India launch likely in early 2026

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BMW is preparing to launch the long-wheelbase electric i5 sedan in India by early 2026. Locally assembled at the Chennai facility alongside the iX1 , the i5 will be BMW’s first all-electric sedan built in India. It’s based on the China-spec i5 and will slot above the current 530Li but below the sportier i5 M60 within the 5 Series line-up. India-spec BMW i5 LWB to get more ground clearance BMW i5 LWB likely to be introduced in RWD form BMW i5 LWB India specifications Expected in i5 eDrive40L form that has up to 713km CLTC range China-spec BMW i5 eDrive35L used for representation. For the Indian market, BMW is engineering several changes to the i5 LWB, with a primary focus on increasing ground clearance. Feedback from early testing—including our i5 M60 review at Autocar India—had highlighted that its soft suspension and low ride height made it vulnerable to speed breakers. Addressing this, BMW reworked the LWB's chassis for local conditions, a process that delayed th...
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2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S review: The everyday supercar

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Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the most powerful  Porsche 911  yet, the 992.2 Turbo S. It’s in the business of numbers, so let me throw some at you. 711hp, 800Nm, a 0-100kph time of 2.5 seconds, a 0-200kph time of 8.4 seconds, a top speed 322kph, and a Nurburgring lap time that’s an incredible 14 seconds faster than its predecessor. Let’s talk of the how first, and then get to the wow. 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S performance and refinement - 10/10 3.6-litre flat-six engine gets 2 e-turbos The latest Turbo S is a very different beast to the ones before. Out goes the 992.1 Turbo S’ 3.7-litre flat-six and in comes a marginally smaller 3.6-litre flat-six. The big difference? This one’s a hybrid. Before you think EV mode and charging cables, it’s not that kind of hybrid. The end goal of the electrification here is greater power and performance. If you know your 911s, you’d know this approach from last year’s  GTS , which uses the same engine. Helping the Turbo S’ engin...
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Yamaha XSR155 vs Royal Enfield Hunter 350: Price and specification comparison

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Yamaha has finally launched the XSR155 — the neo-retro sibling of the MT-15 — in India. It’s a roadster in intent and retro in aesthetic, putting it in line with the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. Here’s how the two stack up on paper. Yamaha XSR155 vs Royal Enfield Hunter 350: Engine and output The XSR gets a liquid-cooled, 155cc engine Engine and output Yamaha XSR155 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Engine 155cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled 349cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled Power 18.2hp at 10,000rpm 20.4hp at 6,100rpm Torque 14.4Nm at 7,500rpm 27Nm at 4,000rpm Gearbox 6-speed 5-speed Power-to-weight ratio 132.8hp/tonne 112.7hp/tonne   Both these engines are chalk and cheese — different in almost every possible way. The XSR155 borrows its sophisticated, liquid-cooled motor from the R15, a high-compression, free-revving unit that loves to chase the redline and will reward you for doing so. The Hunter 350, on the other hand, uses a tradition...
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New Mercedes GLB interior revealed ahead of global debut

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Mercedes-Benz has released the first official interior pictures of the next-generation GLB 7-seat SUV, set for a global debut on December 8. Compared to the previous model, the new GLB marks a massive step up, the luxury car firm stated, pointing to a much-improved interior. Mercedes India discontinued the first-generation GLB in April this year , after it had been on sale for a little over two years. New Mercedes GLB interior details In select markets, new GLB buyers will be able to opt for a  CLA-like MBUX Superscreen , comprising a 10.25-inch driver’s display, a 14-inch touchscreen and a similarly sized passenger display. Alongside, the GLB will also get  Mercedes’ new steering wheel with rockers and physical switches , which we recently saw in the new  GLC EV . “The new steering wheel will eventually become standard across new Mercedes cars,” the brand’s chief software officer Magnus Ostberg stated earlier. from Autocar India https://ift.tt/Chn0rwF
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Most unusual car names

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Among the many cars in India, there are some whose names can be considered as off-beat or unusual. Our list comprises models that are in production and currently on sale in the country. Several cars we have mentioned are popular and well-liked amongst buyers, with their quirky names having little to no bearing in how they sell. 1. Mahindra Thar Roxx The Mahindra Thar Roxx was simply known as the Thar 5-door prior to its launch. This could have been an opportunity for Mahindra to revive a legacy nameplate like Armada, owing to its family-oriented status quo. However, the brand chose the name ‘Thar Roxx’, which Mahindra says is a combination of “solid as a rock” and “the personality of a rockstar”. 2. Mahindra BE 6 Mahindra clearly likes quirky car names, with the BE 6 not being an exception. Where ‘BE’ stands for Born Electric, the ‘6E’ suffix did not play out as well as originally intended, with a low-cost airline having claimed the title several moons ago. Even though this e...
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