VR Tech Times

The final round of the TVS Young Media Racer Program brought us back to familiar ground at MMRT. But, unlike earlier rounds, Chennai greeted us with near-perfect conditions. Cool air, overcast skies and a steady breeze meant lower fatigue and sharper focus – a small but welcome advantage when everything else was about to change. Just before our initial briefing began, TVS threw us a curveball. Instead of racing on the Apache RTR 200, we would be competing on the Apache RTR 310, making its track debut in race-ready form. A sizable bump in displacement and performance over the bike we were used to meant excitement was unanimous, but it also meant resetting everything we thought we knew. The race-spec RTR 310 was far removed from its road-going counterpart. A remapped ECU with revised fuelling and ignition timing unlocked sharper responses, while every electronic aid was disabled. No ABS, no traction control, no quickshifter and Track Mode was permanently engaged. A full system exhaust...

Known for its strong performance and effortless drivability, the diesel-automatic version of the Mahindra XUV 7XO has traditionally been the more sensible choice for buyers who prioritise efficiency and long-distance usability. We put it through our city and highway fuel-efficiency tests to see how it performs in real-world conditions. Comes with auto engine stop-start system  Gets 4 drive modes: Zip, Zap, Zoom and Custom Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel-AT mileage tested  The XUV 7XO diesel is powered by the familiar mHawk 2.2-litre engine, producing 185hp and 450Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. Unlike the petrol version, which does without drive modes, the diesel gets Zip, Zap and Zoom, along with the recently introduced Custom mode. For our drive, we left the vehicle in the most economical Zip setting throughout and kept the auto engine stop-start system active to help curb fuel consumption while idling. Incidentally, much like the petrol...

If you’re looking to buy your first Ducati , chances are you’re looking at the Scrambler - the company’s most affordable and accessible machine. What may throw a spanner into the works is the fact that it is offered in five variants with a wide price band separating the most affordable from the most expensive. Here, we’ll explain in detail what each variant brings to the table in terms of price and equipment. All prices ex-showroom, India Ducati Scrambler variant breakdown Icon Dark The most affordable way to buy a brand-new Ducati is to purchase the Icon Dark version of the Scrambler. It may be the base variant but you get essentially the same mechanicals and largely the same styling as the higher versions. As the name suggests, the Icon Dark variant can only be had in one colour - black - and most of the components on the bike also have a blacked-out finish. Common to the entire Scrambler range is the air/oil-cooled, 803c, V-Twin Desmodue engine making 73hp and 65.2Nm of torq...

The 2026 Renault Duster has been launched in India as the newest midsize SUV, with prices starting from Rs 10.49 lakh (ex-showroom). In its segment, one of its key rivals is the Tata Sierra , which is also one of the newer offerings. The Sierra has created a lot of buzz in the market, mainly due to its design and its loaded feature suite. But can the Duster’s top-spec Iconic trim give tough competition to the Sierra’s fully-loaded Accomplished+ option? Let us find out. 2026 Renault Duster vs Tata Sierra: Dimensions Tata Sierra has larger overall dimensions, but the Duster offers more boot space 2026 Renault Duster vs Tata Sierra: Dimensions and other specifications   Renault Duster Tata Sierra Difference Length (mm) 4,343 4,340 +3  Width (mm) 1,813 1,841 -28 Height (mm) 1,659 1,715 -56 Wheelbase (mm) 2,657 2,730 -73 Ground clearance (mm) 212 205 +7 Boot space (litres)* 700 ...