VR Tech Times

BGauss is a lesser-known Pune-based electric scooter company that routinely scores in the top 7 in terms of monthly sales figures. Thus far, the  company has retailed vehicles of Chinese origin but what we are going to talk about today, the RUV350, is claimed to be a made-in-India product. BGauss says that the RUV 350 (Rider’s Utility Vehicle, in case you were wondering) is meant to tackle all sorts of roads faced by the average Indian rider comfortably. To that extent, it has equipped the scooter with large 16-inch wheels and a motorcycle-like telescopic fork and monoshock. This decidedly makes it a unique-looking thing with more than a hint of the step-throughs that you see zipping around in Asian cities. That being said, the design will be a hit or miss depending on your personal preference. Four colours are on offer and all but one come with brightly painted wheels. BGauss RUV 350 design and features Interestingly, the RUV’s design is eerily similar to the now-discontinued BGa

As part of the character creation process for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, players will have to select both a class for their player-controlled Rook and a faction. After customizing much of your Rook's body, including things like a Qunari's horn type and material, for example, with the hundreds of options available in Veilguard, it will be time to pick said class.  There are three classes to choose from: Rogue, Mage, and Warrior. As the names suggest, each features a unique combat system and plays differently as a result. Though you’ll be performing things like light and heavy attacks using the same buttons, what those attacks do varies based on your class. For example, a sword-and-shield Warrior can hip-fire or aim their shield to throw it like Captain America, whereas a Mage can use that same button to throw out magical ranged attacks – read more about the combat of Veilguard in Game Informer's  exclusive feature here . Plus, as you spec out these classes and unlock thei

Hyundai has finally discontinued the Kona Electric in India. Launched back in July 2019, the Kona was Hyundai’s first EV for our market. In international markets, there is already a new-gen Kona Electric on sale. However, for India, Hyundai will indirectly replace the electric crossover with the more affordable Creta EV early next year. While the Hyundai Kona Electric has been removed from the brand’s website, sources tell us that some dealers may have unsold stocks, which are being offered at attractive discounts, depending on availability. Kona Electric lost ground to more affordable e-SUVs like the Nexon EV It had a 39.2kWh battery with an ARAI range of 452km Hyundai Creta EV to indirectly replace Kona Electric in India  Hyundai Kona Electric: A brief overview The Kona Electric was brought in as a CKD and was priced at Rs 25.30 lakh at launch . While Hyundai did reduce prices by almost Rs 2 lakh towards the end, the introduction of smaller and more affordable e-SUVs – from t

It’s well known that diesel engine options have considerably reduced in the budget segment in recent years, more so if you are looking for a practical people’s mover. Thanks to higher fuel efficiency and lower cost, diesel is especially suited for such long-haul vehicles. However, you are currently limited to just three diesel MPVs under Rs 30 lakh. Here’s what each has to offer. Kia Carens Price: Rs 12.65 lakh-19.67 lakh The Carens is currently the most affordable diesel MPV in the market and is offered with a 115hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine, mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The Carens' third row scores big on space and comfort, and the rest of the cabin is very well appointed too. In fact, it has the most premium and feature-loaded cabin of any MPV in the sub-Rs 20 lakh price range. The Carens diesel is suitable for average city driving and makes for a genteel cruiser on the highway, but under full load, the engine does

Bajaj Auto has stayed one step ahead of its rivals by coming up with a differentiated portfolio of offerings and by exploring new markets and segments. As India’s two-wheeler industry undergoes a massive transformation with the entry of new players and a shift to EV technology, Rakesh Sharma, the company’s executive director and one of the key figures in India’s two wheeler landscape, discusses the brand’s strategy for the future, including its EV playbook. Bajaj will not reduce EV prices due to the end of FAME II subsidies Focus on building capacity in R&D, manufacturing, distribution and more Start-ups have approached Bajaj, other legacy players to sell their EV brand When asked about Bajaj’s pricing strategy now that FAME II subsidies have ended, Sharma said that the brand is not volumetric and that “this is a marathon”. Speaking to our sister publication Autocar Professional, Sharma said, “It is not difficult for Bajaj Auto to cut prices and get volumes. But is it a lon

From Software games have garnered a reputation – alongside the rest of the Soulslike subgenre – for delivering difficult, punishing experiences that reward persistence with an unparalleled thrill of victory. The latest release, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree , has attracted attention and, in some sectors of the fan base, controversy for how punishingly difficult it is. The week before the expansion's release, we sat down with From Software president Hidetaka Miyazaki to talk about the notion of difficulty and how the passionate fan base has surprised him over the years. The Soulslike genre, particularly From Software games, puts an emphasis on death as part of the gameplay experience. When you fight a challenging enemy, it may feel insurmountable, but by taking a studious and persistent approach, players can recognize patterns, develop skills, and, sometimes, with a little luck, pass the trials to progress through the game. "I think of all of the different ways I want to

Cars and SUVs retailing from Maruti Suzuki’s premium outlet, Nexa, have greater discounts during the last week of June, as compared to the start of the month. Dealer sources tell us this is due to the greater backlog of inventory, and relatively slower sales. Among the biggest beneficiaries include buyers of the Grand Vitara midsize SUV, the Fronx compact SUV, and the XL6 MPV. The Baleno, Ignis and Ciaz continue with the same level of benefits, while the Invicto MPV remains on sale without any discounts. Disclaimer:  Discounts vary from city to city and are subject to the availability of stock. Please check with your local dealer for exact discount figures. Maruti Grand Vitara  Discounts increase by up to Rs 66,000 Previously offered with total discounts up to Rs 74,000, and a three-year extended warranty (worth about Rs 38,000), the hybrid variants of the Maruti Grand Vitara, which boast an ARAI fuel-efficiency figure of 27.97kpl, now get up to Rs 1.4 lakh in total benefits. The

Wheels falling off vehicles may not be the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to road safety, but it does happen, and it’s well-documented. A two-phase project carried out by The Transport Road Laboratory between 2006 and 2010 established that during that period, every year, there were 7,500-10,000 cases of loose wheel nuts reported on heavy vehicles in the UK and 150-400 wheel detachments. As a result, there were between 10 and 27 injury accidents and three to seven fatal accidents. Part of the problem in some markets is thought to be the higher frequency of wheel changes due to drivers switching between winter and summer tyres, which increases the possibility of an inadequately tightened wheel nut. In Japan, it has become a newsworthy subject and something the government takes very seriously. As a result, Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI), which owns the Falken Tyres brand, came up with an idea for detecting loose wheels on cars and trucks, and it doesn’t involve specia

TVS Motor Company's electric race bike, the Apache RTE (Racing Throttle Electric), has reached an astounding top speed of 200 km/h during the inaugural round of the TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship (e-OMC).   The e-OMC represents the electric equivalent of the annual OMC (One Make Championship) which traditionally features the petrol-powered TVS Apache RTR 200 4V. Designed specifically for the e-OMC, the Apache RTE aims to showcase the cutting-edge advancements in electric motorcycle power and performance. It is equipped with an advanced chemistry battery pack, and possesses the highest power-to-weight ratio in its category.    The bike features a custom battery management system with race oriented algorithms to ensure optimal performance and safety. Noteworthy features of the TVS Apache RTE include a carbon fiber fairing, single reduction chain drive, bespoke Ohlins suspension and carbon fiber wheels fitted with Pirelli Super Corsa tyres. The inaugural season witness

BMW has greenlit the development of entry-level electric models, the i1 and i2, according to sources close to the company. The models are already in development at the company’s FIZ R&D centre in Munich, and will be sold alongside updated versions of today’s combustion-powered 1 Series and 2 Series . BMW i1, i2 EV positioning The intention is to provide prospective customers with more affordable alternatives in BMW’s electric car line-up, which currently starts at GBP 46,205 (Rs 49 lakh) with the  iX1 ; the electric SUV costs Rs 66.9 lakh in India. The new i1 is expected to be sold as either a hatchback or a saloon, while the i2 will be a compact crossover with the option of a coupe bodystyle.  BMW product boss Bernd Körber told our sister publication Autocar UK recently that the brand wants to grow in all markets and “connect with the younger generation”, and having entry-level models like the 1 Series and 2 Series is essential to do that. Körber added: “Of course they have

Please suggest the best petrol automatic under Rs 13 lakh (on-road). This is my first car and will be used mainly as a family car. Koushal Kandagatla, Hyderabad Autocar India says: There are lots of options for your budget, but being your first car, you should get one that gives you good all-round visibility and has a responsive engine and gearbox. Also, being a family car, you will need a spacious cabin. Given your priorities, there are quite a few good compact SUVs to choose from. Our picks would be the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger, both of which have a spacious cabin, a high seating position and a peppy 1.0-litre turbo-petrol mated to a CVT. The Mahindra 3XO is an even better choice as it’s better equipped, and has a far superior cabin and features list. It’s great to drive as well, thanks to very good ride and handling, and a strong engine mated to a 6-speed automatic. The only real downside with the 3XO is the small boot. Also, the feature-loaded automatic variants could

The Alcazar, Hyundai Motor India’s flagship SUV, is three years old in the Indian market. Launched on June 18, 2021, the three-row Alcazar midsize SUV is based on the company’s best-selling product, the Creta, and packs the strengths of India’s best-selling midsize SUV, along with the flexibility of six or seven seats. The Hyundai Alcazar has, since launch, sold a total of 1,02,682 units, comprising 75,506 units in the domestic market and 27,176 units as exports from India. Over 36 months, Hyundai Motor India’s manufacturing plant at Sriperumbudur, Chennai, has cumulatively produced 1,03,243 units. Hyundai Alcazar sales in FY2023 were the best yet at 26,696 units Domestic sales in April-May 2024 are down 52 percent YoY Alcazar facelift launch pushed to this festive season FY2023 was the Alcazar’s best fiscal year yet – 38,394 units produced (up 34 percent YoY), 26,696 units sold in India (up 3.1 percent YoY) and 11,334 units exported (up 292 percent YoY). However, the next fisca

I have been using a Yamaha R15 V3 for the past four years as my only bike and I am now looking to upgrade. My budget is Rs 3.50 lakh and I want a fully faired sportsbike in that price range. Please suggest some good options. Aryan, via email Autocar India says: At that price, you’ve got two credible options in the form of the KTM RC 390 and the Kawasaki Ninja 300. The latter has just been launched with new colours, but has remained more or less the same for the past decade. Still, the 296cc twin-cylinder engine is an exciting unit and this is currently the most affordable multi-cylinder Japanese bike you can buy today. The baby Ninja also has comfortable ergonomics, which make it amenable for longer journeys. However, at Rs 3.43 lakh (ex-showroom, India), it might seem like a pricey option given the dated underpinnings and the fact that it is right at the edge of your price bracket. Meanwhile, the Rs 3.20 lakh KTM RC 390 was updated just two years ago and feels like a proper moder

I drove my friend's MG Comet recently and absolutely loved it. For my daily office commute of 60km, should I buy the mid 'Excite' variant? Is it worth paying more for the AC fast charger? What sort of range can I expect? Harshal Patel, Ahmedabad Autocar India says: The MG Comet is a unique, characterful electric vehicle that's much more capable and practical than its size and two-door layout indicate. It is zippy enough to keep up with traffic, spacious enough to carry four adults occasionally, and after its recent update , MG has packed in many usable safety and convenience features, which were missing earlier. So, as a secondary car for the family, espcially for city commutes, it'll do the job well. Our MG Comet long termer , within Mumbai city, has been consistently delivering 135-150km on a full charge. As per your usage and considering your fixed daily route, an overnight slow charge (every few days) at your residence should suffice to top up its battery. H

Recently we made a list of most powerful motorcycles under the 10 lakh mark. Well this is a follow up for those with a heavier wallet. The Indian motorcycle market has grown exponentially over the past decade, catering to a diverse range of riders. For those seeking power-packed performance at a price, the segment under Rs 15 lakh offers some thrilling options. Here’s a look at the most powerful motorcycles available in this price range.   5. Triumph Tiger 900 GT 108hp Triumph has a rather diverse catalog of motorcycles and our first entry on this list is none other than their premium middle-weight ADV. The Tiger 900 is currently available in two variants: GT and Rally Pro. While the GT variant is a road biased version of the Tiger 900, the Rally Pro is a lot more off-road biased and commands a premium of Rs 2 lakh over the GT variant. However, for someone who rarely intends to leave the tarmac, the GT variant offers a sweet deal along with a potent 888cc in-line triple. This m

E3 is no more, but in its place a new different kind of summer video game show has emerged. It's Summer Game Fest... and friends? Geoff Keighley's show has become an anchor of sorts for the whole thing, but there is plenty more happening just generally nearby. Whatever we want to call it, it has created a lot of content for our website ( and the coming issues of the magazine ) and below you will find a nearly comprehensive list of everything we wrote this weekend. Enjoy! Littlelands Round-ups Every Game Showcased At Day Of The Devs SGF Edition 2024 From mutant giraffes to house-based romance to hand-drawn voyeurism, the future of the indie games space looks promising. Everything Announced During The 2024 Summer Devolver Direct Presentation From Heart Machine's new game to a new roguelite from the designer behind Dead Cells, here's everything we learned from Devolver's latest showcase. Thirteen Of Our Favorite Games From The Wholesome Direct 2024 If cozy gam