VR Tech Times

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 ...

History has a habit of repeating itself. Remember the oil crisis of the ‘70s? It caused massive volatility in the price of oil and caused makers of sports cars to either evolve or die. Today’s political and financial climate in the Middle East feels hauntingly familiar. And guess what, Porsche is in trouble again. Its EVs aren’t selling as well as they were expected to, profits are down 93 percent and the company is in the middle of a line-up rejigging, re-looking at internal combustion options.  Widening the net Porsche made four front-engine coupes; the 924, 944, 928, and 968 Back in the ‘70s, the oil crisis meant Porsche had to do something similar; make a sports car that appealed to a wider audience and larger customer base. The company had already done this twice, with varying degrees of success. The first was the 912, a flat-four-powered 911. The car was agile, fun, and more affordable. But it wasn’t a 911 and was only moderately successful. Then, in the early ‘70s, came the...