VR Tech Times

Mercedes-Benz has expanded the upcoming CLA electric lineup for India with the addition of a new CLA 200 ‘Standard Range’ variant. The model will join the CLA 250+ ‘Long Range’ version and is set to launch in India next month, with bookings for both variants now open. Customers are required to pay Rs 1.5 lakh to reserve the sedan. Deliveries for the CLA 250+ Long Range are expected to begin by the end of April 2026, while the CLA 200 Standard Range will start reaching customers from June 2026. New CLA 200 Standard Range offers 542km WLTP range Fast charging adds up to 320km in 20 minutes on CLA 200 Tentative prices: Rs 55 lakh (CLA 200) and Rs 59 lakh (CLA 250+) from Autocar India https://ift.tt/TxJurI2

In order to curb unprofitable expenses, Porsche may merge the Panamera and Taycan nameplates into a single model, be it combustion-powered or fully electric, with brand boss Michael Leiters aiming to trim unnecessary expenses, Autocar UK stated. The German automaker already follows a similar strategy with the Macan and Cayenne SUVs, wherein the model names are kept the same regardless of their powertrain type. Consolidation could lower costs and production complexities Platform development delays have already cost Porsche €1.8 billion Porsche Panamera and Taycan likely to become one model This merger could allow Porsche to optimise the utilisation of resources The current-gen Panamera uses Porsche’s Modular Standard Drivetrain (MSB) platform, while the Taycan sits atop the 800-volt J1 platform. Furthermore, the Stuttgart-based marque already has the new Porsche Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture that is expected to underpin the next-gen Panamera sometime befor...

We earlier covered the base model of the Ather Rizta - the S variant - that is the most affordable way into the Ather range. In this story, we focus on the higher ‘Z’ variant that comes with the smaller 2.9kWh battery pack but gets a few additional features. 1. What is the peak output of the Ather Rizta Z 2.9kWh? The Rizta Z variant comes with a peak power of 4.3kWh and peak torque of 22Nm. This is good enough to get the Rizta up to its top-speed of 80kph in Zip mode. The peak output and top-speed remains the same irrespective of the variant and battery-pack. 2. What features does the Ather Rizta Z variant get over the S variant? The S variant sticks to the basics and gives you features such as a segmented colour-LCD dash offering basic Bluetooth connectivity navigated via the 4-way joystick. The Z variant gets a touch-operated 7-inch colour TFT dash in place of the LCD that unlocks a whole host of features. It gets Google Maps navigation, WhatsApp message previews, document sto...

from Autocar India https://ift.tt/zvei8yS

The new Lexus ES is slated to go on sale in India in the coming weeks. This eight-gen model was revealed globally in April 2025, and will rival the Mercedes-Benz E-Class , BMW 5 Series LWB , and Audi A6 in the Indian market. Below, we’ve laid out everything you need to know about the new ES. What is the new Lexus ES India launch date and price estimate? Launching on March 20 Lexus will launch the new ES in India on Friday, March 20. Like the existing ES , the new-gen model may be sold via the CKD (completely knocked down) route to keep prices competitive. Speaking of which, the new ES price could start at around Rs 68 lakh-70 lakh (ex-showroom). What are the exterior design highlights of the new Lexus ES? Outsizes current ES in every dimension The new ES looks significantly sharper and more futuristic than its predecessor, and is larger in every sense too. Measuring 5,140mm in length, 1,920mm in width, and 1,555-1,560mm in height, the new ES is 165mm longer, 55mm wider, and...

The Hunter 350 is the most accessible and affordable Royal Enfield model on sale. What engine does the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 use and what are the power figures? The bike uses the same engine seen in the Classic and Bullet 350 which is a 349cc, single-cylinder engine producing 20.2hp at 6,100rpm and a peak torque of 27Nm at 4,000rpm. This engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox and gets a slipper clutch as well. What is the fuel tank capacity, kerb weight and seat height of the Royal Enfield Hunter 350? The bike has a fuel tank capacity of 13 litres and a kerb weight of 181kg. The seat height stands at an accessible 790mm. What features does the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 get? The Hunter 350 is a simple bike but equipped with necessary features. It has a semi-digital instrument cluster that misses out on a tachometer, but on higher variants, the bike gets Royal Enfield’s Tripper navigation pod for turn-by-turn directions. It also gets dual-channel ABS and a slipper clutch, but m...

Badge engineering is a common strategy in India, with manufacturers sharing platforms, engines and even complete models to reduce development costs and expand their portfolios quickly. For instance, Maruti Suzuki -rebadged models accounted for 53 percent of Toyota India’s sales in FY2025.  However, sales differences between such twins can be significant, the Maruti Ertiga sold over nine times more than the Toyota Rumion, while the Toyota Innova Hycross outsold its Maruti counterpart, the Invicto, by about 18 times. Using full-year 2025 sales data, we compare some well-known badge-engineered twins in the Indian market to see which version buyers chose more often – and what might explain the difference. Maruti Baleno vs Toyota Glanza Car Units sold in 2025  Baleno 172556 Glanza 54440 Maruti sold 1,72,556 units of the Baleno during the year, compared to 54,440 units of the Toyota Glanza , meaning the Baleno sold a little over three times as man...

Everyone’s description of a perfect motorcycle is different. It depends on multiple factors like what sort of rider they are, what kind of terrain and riding conditions they have around them and what their idea of fun is. After having spent some superb seat time on the KTM 890 Adventure R and the 390 Adventure R (both of which you’ll get to read about in next month’s issue), I now have a good idea of what I want in my ‘perfect’ ADV. Effectively, it would be a motorcycle that finds a middle ground between the two. From the 890, there are three aspects. First, those Dakar rally bike style low-slung fuel tanks are a game changer for a big ADV – there’s no fat fuel tank ahead of you, and top heaviness just isn’t a thing. The second aspect would be as premium and capable a suspension as possible, and the third is a twin-cylinder engine. Single-cylinder motors get the job done well, but once you’ve experienced the sound, smoothness and character of a twin, it’s really hard to go back ...

Along with a comprehensive midlife refresh, Mahindra ’s flagship SUV now gets a new name – the XUV700 is now called the XUV 7XO . The powertrain options, however, remain unchanged: a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel, both offered with 6-speed manual and automatic gearboxes. While the XUV 7XO is primarily front-wheel drive, the diesel also gets the option of all-wheel drive. We’ve finally got our hands on the turbo-petrol automatic variant and put it through our real-world fuel efficiency tests. The results, frankly, are unsurprising. Turbo-petrol engine gets auto stop-start function No drive modes are on offer with this engine option Mahindra XUV 7XO turbo-petrol AT real-world mileage test XUV 7XO turbo-petrol AT has an average fuel efficiency of 8.70kpl The XUV 7XO turbo-petrol is powered by a 203hp/380Nm 2.0-litre engine paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Mahindra hasn’t revealed official fuel efficiency figures yet. Unlike the diesel version, the...

The Dio 125 is Honda ’s sportier-looking family scooter that’s based on the Activa 125 ’s platform but with different bodywork. Here, we’ll break down the features each variant brings to the table as well as its pricing. All prices ex-showroom, Delhi Honda Dio 125 variant breakdown Standard The base variant of the Dio 125 is mechanically identical to the other variants in terms of the engine and chassis. Powering the Dio 125 is the Activa 125-sourced 123.9cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine making 8.3hp and 10.5Nm of torque. The entire rolling chassis is shared between all variants of the Dio 125. Even the base variant of the Dio 125 comes with start/stop tech, a front brake disc and it comes in the same colour palette as the higher DLX variant. The 4.3-in colour TFT display is the same as the higher variants - and other Honda commuter models - but misses out on Bluetooth connectivity. At Rs 86,733, the standard Dio 125 is the most affordable of this trifecta of variants to ...

BMW Motorrad has unveiled the R 1300 R Superhooligan at Daytona Bike Week 2026, commemorating 50 years since Steve McLaughlin's victory in the first AMA Superbike race at Daytona in 1976. The custom build from BMW's Custom Speed Shop pays tribute to McLaughlin's iconic ‘83’ BMW R 90 S with period-correct livery, while packing modern performance with the 1,300cc boxer-twin, an Akrapovic titanium exhaust system, carbon components from the M 1000 RR, and Wilbers suspension. BMW mentions that the updates have enabled a top speed of close to 275kph. from Autocar India https://ift.tt/Q6NZ3tr

The Ather Rizta came into the market back in 2022. It was launched as a family-centric, practical offering based on the 450’s platform. It is available in two variants and two battery pack options. In this story, we will be focusing on the most affordable variant with the smallest battery pack. 1. What is the peak output of the Ather Rizta S 2.9kWh? The Rizta has a peak power of 4.3kW and peak torque of 22Nm. This is good enough to propel this scooter to a top-speed of 80kph in Zip mode. The peak output and top-speed remains the same irrespective of the variant and battery-pack opted. 2. What is the range of the Ather Rizta S 2.9kWh compared to the larger 3.7kWh battery pack? The claimed IDC range is 123km for the 2.9kWh battery variants and 159km for the 3.7kWh pack variants. In real-world riding conditions, we found that our long term Rizta Z with the smaller 2.9kWh battery pack does provide a true-range of 105km. 3. What are the charging times of the Ather Rizta S 2.9kWh? At...

The sudden arrival of the Yamaha Aerox 155 in India injected a fresh flavour into the sporty mass-market scooter category like few other offerings in the past did. The Aerox 155 is a true underbone scooter - they are massively popular in South East Asian markets! - with a sporty chassis, large 14-inch wheels and a R15 -derived engine. The Aerox comes in two variants and here, we’ll outline the differences between the two. All prices ex-showroom, Delhi Yamaha Aerox 155 variant breakdown Standard The base variant of the Aerox 155 is mechanically identical to the Version S. That means you get the same 155cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine as the R15, MT-15 and XSR155 . In this application, it makes 15hp and 13.9Nm and is mated to a CVT gearbox. You’ve got a proper underbone frame with 14-inch wheels, traction control and single-channel ABS - all features you’ll see on the higher Version S variant too.  What separates this from the higher version is that it comes with ...

The scooter segment has evolved beyond basic commuting, with manufacturers now offering performance-focused models that pack serious power. Here are the five most powerful petrol scooters currently on sale in India. 5. Aprilia SR 175 hp-e – 13.3hp The Aprilia SR 175 hp-e is sold with GP Replica livery The Aprilia SR 175 hp-e is powered by a 174.7cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine producing 13.3hp and 14Nm. The scooter rides on 14-inch wheels and comes with single-channel ABS. It’s also a fairly well-equipped scooter, featuring the same colour TFT display found on the RS 457 and Tuono 457, with Bluetooth connectivity for call alerts, notifications, and music control. In our tests, the SR 175 was quite close to the Yamaha Aerox 155 in the sprint to 60kph, after which the more powerful Aerox begins to pull away. Despite its more performance-focused intent, the SR 175 returned an impressive fuel economy of 41.7kpl on the highway and 35.2kpl in the city. 4. Hero Xoom 160 – 14.8hp ...