VR Tech Times

Over the past few years, the government has been increasingly eyeing ethanol blending as a relief from steep fuel import bills, exacerbated by the West Asia conflict in recent memory. There's already 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol (E20) as the baseline, but the government is planning to soon start distributing E85 and E100 fuels for flex-fuel vehicles. Below, we've answered every question you may have surrounding E85 and E100. What are E85 and E100 fuels? Ethanol comprises the overwhelming majority of the blend As the name suggests, E85 and E100 are fuel blends with very high percentages of anhydrous (zero water) ethanol. E85 is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petrol, while E100 is 93-95 percent ethanol mixed with 5-7 percent of petrol and other solvents – the latter helps during cold-starts (especially at low temperatures), prevents freezing, and should there be a fire, the petrol gives the flame a visible colour. While their nomenclature is similar, E20 and E85/E1...

The Hero Splendor is India's and, by extension, arguably the world's best-selling motorcycle. The Splendor+ sits at the entry point of the Splendor range and is built around a simple, proven 97.2cc engine built for efficiency and reliability. Over the last three decades, the motorcycle has evolved to meet stricter emission norms and changing regulations, but the fundamental formula has remained largely unchanged. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the Hero Splendor+. What is the price of the Hero Splendor+? The Hero Splendor+ is available in four variants with prices starting at Rs 77,557 and go up to Rs 80,331 for the ‘125 Million Edition’. Hero also recently introduced a Flex Fuel variant of the Splendor+, priced at Rs 82,710, which can run on ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E85. For now, that bike will only be available in Delhi and select regions of Maharashtra, with a nationwide rollout to follow.  What engine does the Hero Splendor+ us...

The government is preparing a policy framework to support the rollout of E85 fuel in India, with Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri saying the ethanol-blended fuel will be priced significantly below regular petrol. "E85 fuel will be used for vehicles compliant with E85. It will be substantially cheaper than normal fuel," he said at the launch of Hero MotoCorp's flex-fuel versions of the Splendor and HF Deluxe motorcycles. Puri added that the government is actively examining supportive policies to accelerate affordable adoption of E85 fuel and indicated that further details on pricing could be announced soon. from Autocar India https://ift.tt/Ow9uo72

This is the long termer that elicits more long stares than anything in recent memory. Motorists at signals turn around and stare at the high bonnet, the deep-set headlights, the wide stance, and the chunky off-road tyres. And there’s no denying, the Rubicon has tons and tons of effortless attitude or swag. Even better, all the bravado is backed up with real ability. The great, great, great grandson of the off-roader that started it all – the Willys MB – the Rubicon is one of the more extreme versions of the current Wrangler . The question is, does it feel like a fish out of water in the urban sprawl? Or does it have a good balance of crazy-cool? First up, what exactly do we have here? It’s a Wrangler, so it’s fair to call it one of the world’s best off-roaders. This means a body-on-frame construction, selectable four-wheel drive, locking differentials, anti-roll bars that can be disconnected for better wheel articulation and a dedicated off-road plus mode that optimises the vehicle in...

The Royal Enfield Bullet 650 is the largest-displacement Bullet ever made and the most affordable entry point into Royal Enfield's 650cc twin-cylinder range. It shares the same 648cc parallel-twin engine, chassis and electronics with the Classic 650, Shotgun 650 and Super Meteor 650, but differentiates itself through distinctive styling details and a more practical seating setup. Here's what works in its favour and a couple of reasons it might not be for you. Reasons to buy the Royal Enfield Bullet 650 Appealing looks and solid build quality On a neo-retro motorcycle, design matters more than almost anything else, and the Bullet 650 delivers. The stepped single-piece seat, tubular grab rail, boxy rear fender and hand-painted pinstripes give it a distinct identity within Royal Enfield's crowded 650cc range. Build quality is excellent throughout, with touch points that feel solid and premium – befitting a bike at this price. Of the two colours on offer, the Battleship Blue i...

Bentley has unveiled the new Flying Spur four-door sedan, bringing back the sportier S variant and aligning its styling more closely with the Continental GT. The line-up also includes standard, Speed, Azure and Mulliner versions. It even gains the 21-speaker Naim for Mulliner sound system, originally developed for the limited-run Bentley Batur , as an option. Production of the 2026 Flying Spur is due to start at Bentley's Crewe plant in the UK in September. 2026 Bentley Flying Spur powertrains Speaking of the S trim, it uses a twin-turbo 4-litre V8 and a 25.9kWh plug-in-hybrid setup, belting out peak outputs of 680hp and 930Nm. Drive is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, and the 0-100kph takes 3.7 seconds. An electronic slip differential is also available. from Autocar India https://ift.tt/9HPeA65

While automatic cars are often chosen for convenience, dual-clutch transmissions (DCTs) appeal to enthusiasts with their quick, precise gear shifts and engaging driving experience. Popularised in the affordable segment by the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI in 2013, the technology is now offered by brands such as Tata , Hyundai and Kia , sometimes marketed as DSG or DCA. Though pricier than AMTs, CVTs and torque converters, DCTs remain the most performance-focused automatics in this segment. Here are the cheapest DCT cars in India as of June 2026. Notably, the list features only SUVs and hatchbacks, with no sedans making the cut. 10. Kia Seltos Prices: Rs 16.29 lakh to Rs 19.99 lakh The Kia Seltos barely makes it to the list, despite having a sub-20 lakh ex-showroom price for the DCT. This gearbox is offered with the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which also powers the Kia Carens Clavis, Hyundai Creta, Verna and Alcazar, but is the most affordable option in the lot. In our real-life tests, w...

Toyota’s motorsport division, Gazoo Racing, has pulled the covers off the hottest version of the Corolla hatchback yet: the GRMN Corolla. Compared to the GR Corolla , the GRMN derivative has undergone extensive testing at the famed Nurburgring circuit, and gets a sportier, more aerodynamic bodykit, an upgraded suspension, better tyres, a higher torque output, and more. Makes 15Nm more torque than GR Corolla, gets 6-speed manual only Upgraded shock absorbers, retuned EPS and 4WD systems Carbonfibre bonnet, fenders, front-side spoilers, and roof wing No rear seats lend to 30kg weight loss over GR Corolla The GRMN Corolla will be available to order in limited quantities for Japan, Australia, and the US in autumn 2026, with deliveries slated to commence in 2027. Toyota GRMN Corolla engine and gearbox Under the bonnet, the GRMN Corolla is powered by the same 305hp 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol ‘G16E-GTS’ engine as that of the GR version, but torque output has been bumped from 400Nm to...