VR Tech Times

A facelifted version of the Yamaha Fascino 125 Hybrid scooter has been spotted undisguised at a dealership, suggesting that its launch isn’t too far away. The Fascino is one of three 125cc scooters that Yamaha fields in the class and the last major update it received was over five years ago when the BS6 norms came into effect. Updated Fascino has redesigned tail section Features and mechanicals unchanged Facelifted model could carry a small price hike Yamaha Fascino facelift: what has changed? A revised tail section is visible, suggesting some design tweaks. The Fascino 125 (and its Ray 125 sibling) are the most affordable Yamaha products in India, and as such account for a large chunk of the manufacturer’s sales in the segment. Given that the 125cc scooter space has moved on a fair bit in the years since the Fascino 125 was last updated, Yamaha seems to be gearing up to give its family styled 125cc scooter a bit of a nip and tuck job. From the images, we can see only the...

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The new Renault Duster returns to a segment it once kickstarted. Priced between Rs 10.29 lakh and Rs 18.49 lakh, it now competes in the most crowded segment, with models such as the Hyundai Creta , Kia Seltos , Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara , Suzuki Victoris and Tata Sierra . The new model has been thoroughly reworked for the Indian market and comes with two turbo-petrol engines, with a hybrid option set to follow, though there are still a few areas where it could have done better. Here are four reasons to consider the Duster and four to look elsewhere. Reasons to buy Ride comfort Absorbs rough roads with ease Ride comfort has always been a key strength of the Duster, and the new model continues that tradition. It handles broken roads, potholes and rough patches with ease, keeping occupants well-insulated from sharp impacts. Even at highway speeds, the suspension remains composed and stable, making it well-suited for long-distance driving. The Duster is enjoyable around corners t...

The KTM 160 Duke was officially launched in India in August, 2025. It is positioned as an entry-level, India-specific streetfighter aimed squarely at Yamaha’s MT-15. It’s the successor of the 125 Duke, which was discontinued in India primarily due to its low sales and its higher price tag. The 160 Duke now serves as the entry-point in the KTM family in India, directly rivaling the Yamaha MT-15  and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V. Which engine powers the KTM 160 Duke? The KTM Duke 160 features a 164.2cc, liquid cooled, single-cylinder motor. It produces 19hp and 15.5Nm. The engine is paired to a 6-speed gearbox with slip assist clutch. This engine is a derivative of the 200 Duke. What are the specifications on the KTM 160 Duke? The KTM 160 Duke is supported by a split trellis frame, suspended by WP Apex 43mm upside-down fork and pre-load adjustable monoshock. The braking is handled by a 320mm front disc and 230mm rear disc with dual channel ABS. The bike runs on 17-inch alloys with a...

The Ducati Desmo450 MX is a significant milestone for Ducati. Known for its dominance on tarmac, the brand has now stepped into the world of motocross. Development began in 2021, and this is Ducati’s interpretation of what a modern MX bike should be. At first glance, it looks every bit the part. The slim bodywork wraps tightly around a lightweight chassis, giving it a purposeful stance and the top-spec components all around reinforce the fact that this is a proper competition-ready machine. For many riders, motocross bikes have always sat at a distance. They’re expensive to maintain, physically demanding, and primarily designed for competition. Getting the opportunity to ride the Desmo450 MX felt less like a test and more like getting a proper insight into what these machines are truly capable of. Motocross Madness The numbers alone set the tone. 63.5hp and 53.5Nm from a 450cc single-cylinder engine, and it weighs just 104.5kg (with the 7.2 litre fuel tank empty). That's a cra...

After a month with our long-term Windsor, I can see why it’s India’s largest-selling EV. Everyone in your family will love it, even if you, as the driver, don’t. Yes, as the one who does most of the driving, I don’t like it. Not because it’s laidback to drive; that’s fine for an everyday EV. What I hate is the driver controls. Connect your phone, and the entire 15.6-inch screen is given over to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, even though nearly all functions like ORVM adjustment, cooled seats, drive modes etc. have to be accessed via the screen and a set of complicated steering wheel button presses. Even after you figure this out, it’s not intuitive at all. Hopefully it can be sorted with an OS update.  Phone interface overrides all access to car functions; there’s no shortcut to the home screen either. Which brings me to another irritant with our particular car. We’ve had quite a few software related issues. For instance, the front left tyre would indicate low pressure even wh...

We have earlier covered the Ather Rizta’s S and Z variants in their standard form. In this story, we focus on the S variant equipped with the larger 3.7kWh battery pack, which primarily brings a higher claimed range while retaining the same feature set as the smaller-battery S. This lower-spec variant with the bigger battery pack was recently added to the Rizta family. 1. What is the peak output of the Ather Rizta S 3.7kWh? The Rizta S continues with a peak power output of 4.3kW and 22Nm of torque. Performance remains unchanged across battery packs, with the scooter capable of reaching a top speed of 80kph in Zip mode. 2. What features does the Ather Rizta S 3.7kWh get? The S variant retains its simpler feature set irrespective of the battery pack. It gets a segmented colour LCD display with basic Bluetooth connectivity, operated via a 4-way joystick. Unlike the Z variant, it does not get the touchscreen TFT, Google Maps navigation or advanced connected features. 3. What are th...

The mid-cycle update to the Skoda Kushaq brings subtle design tweaks, a few feature additions and even a new automatic gearbox. Like before, it competes in the hotly contested midsize SUV space with rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Grand Vitara and more. We have now driven the updated Kushaq, and here are three reasons that make a strong case for it, and two areas where it could do better.  Pros Smooth and quick-shifting 8-speed AT The biggest update on the Kushaq facelift is the new 8-speed torque converter automatic (AQ300) paired with the 1-litre turbo-petrol engine, replacing the older 6-speed unit. On the move, shifts are smooth, as expected from a torque converter. What stands out is how quick the manual shifts are, whether using the paddles or the gear lever, with a feel that’s almost like a dual-clutch automatic transmission. In manual mode, the gearbox holds gears longer, allowing the engine to rev up to around 5,800rpm in first and second, and u...

Great engineers make great cars. This is especially true when perfection is the stated goal. Take, for example, Sir Henry Royce’s often-quoted maxim; “take the best that exists and make it better. When it doesn’t exist, design it.” And that is exactly what we are celebrating today: the pursuit of automotive perfection – the legacy of the 100-year-old Phantom nameplate that incredibly can still lay the claim to being the ‘best car in the world.’ And how better to do this than spend quality time with Yohan Poonawalla’s incredible seven-Phantom line-up. The Centurion "The 17EX sure has the ingredients to go fast; a massive engine and slippery body work." Evolved from what was already the ‘best car in the world’ – the Silver Ghost (crowned by Autocar in 1907), the Phantom I took the game forward considerably. The one here is the 17EX, a Phantom prototype built with an express purpose to push the boundaries of speed and cross 100mph (160.9kph).  While doing the ‘ton’ may s...

Our Ather Rizta Z   2.9 joined the Autocar long-term fleet in October 2024 and has covered over 5,500km since. In that time – and across 1.5 years in the fleet – it has largely been a dependable, drama-free electric scooter.  Reliability has mostly been solid. An early software glitch forced the scooter into limp mode and took over a month to resolve. While issues are rare, turnaround time at the service centre remains an area of concern. In fact, even a minor repair required escalation to secure an appointment. This repair included replacing a broken mirror and a chipped brake lever, both totalling roughly Rs 1,700. After sales have been a hiccup in an otherwise well-rounded package. Our primary concern with the Rizta has less to do with the scooter itself and is more service-oriented. For example, during an earlier visit, the scooter was returned to us with some scratches and a slightly bent handlebar – something that hasn’t been rectified since, although it hasn’t a...

The world’s greatest off-roaders offer impressive skills. Steep inclines, slippery surfaces, sand, snow, rocks – this intrepid bunch can do them all. None, however, can come close to managing what the Sherp can. Ladies and gents, say a big hello to what has to be one of the world’s greatest wheeled off-roaders. An off-highway vehicle whose journey begins where regular off-roaders throw their hands in the air and give up. Even more fascinating is that the Sherp SMV N1200 is now manufactured in India at JSW Gecko Motors in Chandigarh. So, come with us as we take you through the production process, the design philosophy, and how this vehicle is operated. The hull floats The hull is made of special steel, and since it floats, the joints are made watertight. Chain-drive system is also sealed in an oil bath. Every Sherp begins with its boat-like hull. JSW, also one of India’s largest steel producers, supplies high-strength steel in various sections, that’s then welded and assembled ...