VR Tech Times

After a glorious production run of 17 years,  Nissan  has confirmed it will phase out the R35 GT-R sports car in October this year. North America was one of the last markets where the GT-R was still on sale. It was discontinued in India and the Europe in 2022. Nissan USA is sending off the GT-R with two special edition models - Skyline and Takumi Editions - which were unveiled earlier this year. Nissan GT-R production to end after 17-year long run Was powered by a 570hp, 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine No direct replacement on the cards Nissan GT-R: an overview Fondly known as the Godzilla, the current-generation GT-R debuted in 2007, replacing the R34 Skyline GT-R. Over the years, Nissan has given it two major facelifts along with several special editions and timely performance upgrades to keep it relevant against newer rivals and changing regulations across markets. This sports car was particularly renowned in the tuning circle, with some examples even producing over...

I have a Hyundai i20 1.0 Turbo GDi in Asta (O) trim with 195/55 R16 CEAT SecuraDrive tyres as stock. I really appreciate the steering feedback, handling and highway stability of the car, but the ride quality is too firm on broken city roads. Even lowering the tyre pressure to 31 psi (from the recommended 33 psi) doesn’t help. As the stock tyres have almost worn out, can I replace them with softer compound 195/60-R16 tyres? Also, which tyre brand offers the plushest ride quality in this size? S Rajeswaran, Chennai Autocar India says: You could opt for either Goodyear or Continental tyres and upsize them to 205/55 R16s. This would improve ride comfort as well as road-holding at high speeds. Also see: Tyre care: How to select the right tyre for your car, SUV Everything you need to know about tyres Tyre care: Decoding markings on your car, SUV tyres     from Autocar India https://ift.tt/NbGnIQa

I recently saw that BSA will come back to India after many decades with the new Gold Star 650. My family friend used to have a Gold Star back in his day and that has made me keen to buy this new Gold Star but at the same time I can’t ignore the twin-cylinder Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Budget is not an issue, I will use it only on Sunday and I’m 6 foot tall. Please nudge me in the right direction.  Hormuz, Mumbai Autocar India says: This is a question that is going to be very common in the Indian market since Classic Legends’ announcement of BSA’s return. Nostalgia plays a big role when it comes to neo-retro bikes and both bikes have it in spades.  Also See: BSA Gold Star India debut on August 15 Let’s start with the Gold Star because that’s what you seem to have a closer connection with. The 2024 Goldie uses a liquid-cooled, 652cc, single-cylinder motor making 45hp and 55Nm of torque. These numbers are decidedly in the ballpark of the Interceptor’s 47hp/52Nm. Intere...

Fiat recently took the wraps off the radically styled five-seat Grande Panda which will sit above the outgoing and quite popular Panda small SUV in its global line-up. The Italian brand, now owned by Stellantis, has plans to further expand the Panda range with introduction of more models in the future. Fiat Panda line-up to also have a Duster-sized SUV Expected to get petrol, EV powertrain Panda Coupe SUV, MPV in the works too Fiat Panda line-up: what’s in store? As reported by our sister publication Autocar UK , Stellantis will leverage its CMP modular platform further by adding more models to the Fiat Panda family. The Grande Panda sits on similar underpinnings as the Citroen C3 and a few other models that use the CMP platform. The CMP platform is Stellantis’ value-minded Smart Car platform. Originally engineered for developing markets and called the Common Modular Platform (CMP), it has been adapted for global models and can accommodate both internal combustion and battery...

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn has gone gold, meaning it should be all but ready for its release on July 18. Developer A44 (Ashen) has also released the game’s PC specs and 20-minutes of raw gameplay footage. The upcoming "Souls-lite" fantasy action game stars elite soldier Nor Vanek and her furry fox-like companion Enki on a revenge quest to kill the gods of their world. She wields an arsenal of melee, firearms, and magic that can be chained to create stylish combo attacks. Nor Venek also has special traversal abilities to navigate the world, which is being besieged by the angry deities. We last saw Flintlock during the Xbox Games Showcase a few weeks ago, but you can check out 20 minutes of new gameplay footage in the video below. Set during a later stage of the game, a synopsis adds context to the footage: "Join Nor and Enki as they prepare to step into the deserts of Wanderer’s Rest to take on the personal guard of the god Dukmar. With an entire army hunting for he...

After The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time reinvented the series in 3D and became its new gold standard, Nintendo followed up with a surreal sequel in Majora's Mask. Set two months after the events of Ocarina, Link finds himself transported to an alternate version of Hyrule called Termina and must prevent a very angry moon from crashing into the Earth over the course of three constantly repeating days. Majora's Mask's unique structure and bizarre tone have earned it legions of passionate defenders and detractors, and one long-time Zelda fan is going to experience it for the first time to see where he lands on that spectrum. Join Marcus Stewart and Kyle Hilliard today and each Friday on Twitch at 1:00 p.m. CT as they gradually work their way through the entire game until Termina is saved. Archived episodes will be uploaded each Saturday on our second YouTube channel  Game Informer Shows , which you can watch both above and by clicking the links below.  ...

Aprilia launched the RS 457 earlier this year and set the market ablaze with its credentials and its relatively competitive pricing. We’ve spent about a week with it and put it through our test cycle and can now report how the RS 457 fares out on our streets.    Aprilia RS 457 real world efficiency As per our usual method, we start by filling the RS 457 to the brim and riding it for about 60km on the highway, cruising around 80kph (the speed limit on the highway stretch where we conduct these tests) in sixth gear. At the end of our test, we filled the tank up once again and the little Aprlia took 1.62 litres. In our test, the RS 457 achieved a commendable fuel efficiency figure of 32.53kpl.     Next up is the concrete jungle where we plan to run our city mileage test. Same as before, we rode the RS 457 for 50km through mixed traffic conditions and at the end of it tanked it up to the brim once more. In the city test, the  RS 457  managed an effic...

In this week's episode of  The Game Informer Show,  the crew discusses our recent trip to Bioware for our Dragon Age: The Veilguard cover story, our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review, PS5-bound multiplayer shooter, Concord, a new battle royale from former League of Legends developers, atmospheric horror title Still Wakes the Deep, Dustborn, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD and even more! It's a packed show, y'all.  Watch the Video Version: Follow us on social media: Alex Van Aken ( @itsVanAken ), Kyle Hilliard ( @KyleMHilliard ), Marcus Stewart ( @MarcusStewart7 ), Wesley LeBlanc ( @LeBlancWes ) The Game Informer Show  is a weekly gaming podcast covering the latest video game news, industry topics, exclusive reveals, and reviews. Join us every Thursday to chat about your favorite games – past and present – with  Game Informer  staff, developers, and special guests from around the industry. Listen on  Apple Podcasts ,  Spotify , or your f...

Hyundai has released a first set of images and details of the all-new Inster EV, Hyundai’s entry level electric vehicle for global markets.  The familiar-looking Inster is based on the popular Casper sub-compact City car but sits on a lengthened platform. Inster gets two EV powertrain options Gets a practical cabin with clever folding seats Gets 360 camera and adaptive cruise control Hyundai Inster: a global entry level city EV The new Hyundai Inster will serve as the brand’s contender in the mainstream city EV market.  The SUV shares most of its underpinnings with the 3.5 meter long Casper which is sold exclusively with a petrol powerplant in the Korean market. For the Inster, Hyundai has stretched the Casper’s platform by 230mm overall, out of which 180mm has been added to its wheelbase.  This helps with more cabin room and also additional space for the underfloor battery pack. As far as dimensions go, the Inster is 3.8 meters long, 1.6 meters wide and 1.6 mm ...

Which is the most spacious five-seater SUV in the market for Rs 18 lakh (on-road)? Features aren't important to me, but long distance comfort is. P Arjun, via email Autocar India says:  Consider the Mahindra XUV700, which is much larger than similarly priced mid-size SUVs. The Mahindra is very spacious, its seats are comfortable; performance is strong too, whether you opt for petrol or diesel, and so is refinement. The entry-level MX variant fits your budget, and it has the basics covered (including a touchscreen).  Also see: Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV700 vs Jeep Compass comparison review Mahindra XUV700 gets up to Rs 1.5 lakh discount on MY2023 stocks Mahindra XUV700 order backlog halved in just one quarter from Autocar India https://ift.tt/uAzn8w4

Bajaj Auto inaugurated its new manufacturing plant in Manaus, Brazil.  Vehicles manufactured by Bajaj Auto are now being sold in 100 countries. Initially the plant will focus on manufacturing Dominar models and later on Pulsar models will be introduced. ​​​​​The new plant has an area of 9,600 square metres and features the latest in manufacturing technology. Equipped with cutting-edge engine assembly, vehicle assembly, and testing facilities, the plant has a production capacity of 20,000 units p.a., operating on a single shift. Its strategic location in Manaus leverages the substantial fiscal benefits offered by the State as well as proximity to supply chains and major transportation hubs. Also See: Most EV brands have come to us to sell their company: Bajaj Auto Work for the plant commenced in June 2023 and it became production-ready within a year. The initial phase concentrated on the sourcing, assembly, and testing of Dominar models, with plans to expand to additional produ...

How do you replace something irreplaceable? Simple, get the same thing again. And that’s just what we did. Say hello to our new Slavia 1.5 TSI, this time with a twin-clutch DSG gearbox. First up is the matte colour. Absolutely love how it accentuates the Slavia’s sharp lines, especially around the grille and the bonnet. And then there’s the way it catches the light but doesn’t reflect like a gloss finish. I had to instruct the car cleaner on how to wash the vehicle, though—lots of water and no rubbing to remove bird droppings. It doesn’t look grubby when it gets dust and dirt on it, but that’s probably because it is a dark colour. Gets much more attention than I expected; a lot of people come up and ask about it regularly. Incognito mode it isn’t.  This two-pedal car is, of course, more relaxing in start-stop traffic than the manual. However, the twin-clutch unit isn’t as smooth as a torque converter, and there is some hold and hesitation at low speeds. It is especially true if...

Diesel engines are known for their frugal nature and low-end torque, and stringent emissions norms have led several car manufacturers to move away from them. However, despite the criticism, a number of brands continue to bet big on them. Below is a list of all diesel SUVs available in India under Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom). Tata Altroz The  Tata Altroz  is the most affordable diesel car in India. It has a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 90hp and 200Nm of torque, paired with a standard 5-speed manual gearbox. Priced between Rs 8.90 lakh and Rs 11.35 lakh, the Altroz is the only diesel hatchback in India. Mahindra Bolero The Mahindra Bolero, a top-selling utility vehicle in India for over two decades, has a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder diesel engine producing 76hp and 210Nm of torque. It is priced between Rs 9.79 lakh and Rs 10.91 lakh, and comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Mahindra Bolero Neo The Bolero Neo has the same 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder diesel engine ...

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...

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...