VR Tech Times

I have shortlisted the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol automatic and the Honda City CVT. My usage would mostly be within city limits, and my priorities are a smooth automatic and a good safety rating. Phani, Hyderabad Autocar India says: As a city car, the Honda City is a better choice as its 1.5 CVT is very smooth, especially in stop-and-go traffic. The 3XO has a snappy response from a standstill, and the power delivery is nowhere near as linear or as smooth as the City. Given the low speeds in city driving, both cars are safe enough. On the highway, the 3XO may have a slight edge over the City – if you go by crash ratings – but that’s not to say the City is unsafe. Also See: Honda City facelift review: ADAS at your service Honda City facelift video review Mahindra XUV 3XO review - Feature and power packed SUV Mahindra XUV 3XO video review   from Autocar India https://ift.tt/O480Aze

The Yamaha MT-09 has evolved several times over its decade-long existence and there are now three variants - the standard 09, the fancier SP and the brand new Y-AMT, which as the name suggests, has an automated manual transmission. Having ridden all three on a Japanese racetrack, I now understand why this is such a popular motorcycle. Yamaha MT-09 review: engine, changes for 2024  Sadly, this my first experience with the MT-09, but I can immediately confirm that this 888cc three-cylinder engine deserves all the love it gets. It produces the same 119hp and 93Nm on all three variants and while the sound is very similar to the Triumph triple, its performance is quite different. Where the Triumph 765 prioritises the top end, the larger MT pulls deliciously hard from as low as 4,000rpm. This spectacular mid range is what makes it such an entertainer, although it will happily rev to over 10,000rpm.  5-inch TFT display is standard on all 3 variants. Yamaha has updated the rid...

Skoda has introduced a new ‘Sportline’ trim for the fourth-gen Superb with some cosmetic updates and new features. The Sportline trim sits atop the range and, as the name suggests, is marketed as a sportier version of the sedan. Superb Sportline gets blacked-out grille, ORVM caps Sits 15mm lower than the standard Superb Available in both sedan and estate forms Skoda Superb Sportline: what’s new? All the exterior chrome elements, including the radiator grille frame, window frames and the Skoda badging at the back, are blacked out. The mirror caps are also finished in gloss black. The Superb Sportline is available with 18-inch (standard) or 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, which look strikingly similar to the ones seen on the pre-facelift Hyundai Alcazar sold in India. It also gets Sportline badging on the front fenders and LED Matrix headlights. The cabin has sportier seats with integrated headrests and manually adjustable thigh support. Skoda is offering an optional Suite Sp...

Also See:  Yamaha MT09 first model to get Y-AMT gearbox from Autocar India https://ift.tt/C9WFokP

The Triumph Daytona 660 has been launched in India and this is currently the only fully faired Triumph model on sale. We clear up some common doubts about the Daytona 660. How much power does the Triumph Daytona 660 make? The Daytona 660 is powered by the same 660cc mill as found in the Trident 660 and the Tiger Sport 660. However, in this bike, the 660cc triple is in its most powerful state making 95hp at 11,250rpm and 69Nm at 8,250rpm. That is a bump of 14hp and 5Nm over the other two 660cc models. What is the top speed of the Triumph Daytona 660?  Triumph doesn’t claim a top speed figure for the Daytona 660. But given the fact that it has 95hp at its disposal, as well as slippery fully faired bodywork, the bike should be able to exceed 200kph, given a long enough stretch of open road. How much does the Triumph Daytona 660 weigh?  The Daytona 660 weighs 201kg, which makes it heavier than some flagship litre-class superbikes on sale. The Trident 660 – with which the Da...

The Hero Destini 125 scooter has been on sale for close to 6 years now and in that time, it has remained largely unchanged while both the ICE and EV scooters have kept raising the bar. Now, the company has teased an update for the Destini 125 on its social media and this could perhaps be an all-new generation model too.  Is still a feature-rich and practical scooter Current model’s cycle parts feel outdated in 2024 Priced between Rs 80,048 and Rs 86,538 Hero Destini 125 update details The current Destini 125 is powered by an air-cooled, 124.6cc, single-cylinder engine that is rated for 9.1hp at 7,000rpm and 10.4Nm of torque at 5,500rpm. For the most part, the Destini’s underpinnings are par for the course with an underbone frame suspended by a telescopic fork and monoshock. Weighing 114kg - 115kg currently, the Destini 125 is substantially heavier compared to its immediate rivals - the Suzuki Access 125 (103kg-104kg), TVS Jupiter 125 (108kg), Yamaha Fascino 125 (99kg) and H...

Jeep is currently on a back foot in the Indian market in terms of sales performance and model line-up. The American off-road focused brand is planning to keep things afresh by introducing frequent mode updates to its current line-up that includes the Compass, Meridian, Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee. Updates to Compass and Meridian will be mainly cosmetic Citroen line-up already getting frequent updates Local R&D put to use for frequent product refreshes In India, Jeep manufactures the Compass and Meridian, which are aimed at mainstream buyers. Their sales have been dismal for quite some time, with the monthly average in FY2024 being 280 and 175 units, respectively. To get more footfalls at its outlets and increase sales, Jeep India will introduce the updated Compass next month. Moreover, the Meridian has also been slated for a refresh and will go on sale in October, right before Diwali. Earlier, the brand had teased the facelift for the Meridian and confirmed that it wi...

TVS has recently updated its Jupiter scooter with a new motor, more features and revamped styling. It’s currently available in four variants and we’re here to break it down and elaborate what each variant brings. TVS Jupiter line-up: Styling TVS’ Jupiter line-up is available in four variants called Drum, Drum Alloy, Drum SmartXonnect and Disc SmartXconnect. The entry level Drum variant doesn’t get the LED DRL setup, rides on a set of steel wheels and is available in three colours called Meteor Red Gloss, Titanium Grey Matte and Lunar White Gloss. The Drum Alloy variant rides on a set of alloy wheels and is available with the same colours as the Drum variant with an additional colour called Starlight Blue Gloss also available. The Drum SmartXonnect variant is available in three colours called Galactic Copper Matte, Dawn Blue Matte and Starlight Blue Gloss. It also features the new LED DRL light bar setup along with LED indicators which is only available on the top two variants. The...

Little over a week ago we reported that the Bajaj Chetak lineup will switch over to new battery cells, which will give it a bump up in range. Now, we can report that the Premium and Urbane variants of the retro-looking e-scoot will become a little more affordable while being renamed.  New battery cells give more range while maintaining same capacity Variant names will change in line with 2901 model Approximate price reduction is in the Rs 8,000 ballpark Also See: Bajaj Chetak lineup to get new battery cells with more range Bajaj Chetak variants updated pricing, new names The updated Chetak Urbane is likely to be priced at Rs 1.15 lakh, while the Chetak Premium will likely command Rs 1.39 lakh. This marks a drop of Rs 8,000 in each variant. In line with its new naming strategy, the Chetak Premium will be renamed 3201 (since it was the first model to debut the 3.2kWh pack), with the Urbane following as the 3202.  The Bajaj Chetak electric scooter has seen a meteoric r...

Also See:  Triumph Tiger 900 GT review, test ride from Autocar India https://ift.tt/WKISq4b

Yes it’s back. If you’ve been a regular reader, you might remember we had already published the final report of this particular Kushaq Monte Carlo. Thing is though, a lot of us really love this bright red SUV. So when we asked Skoda if we could keep it a bit longer, they very kindly obliged. These days it’s rare to find a mass-segment offering that’s high on driving pleasure. Most are set up to deliver a comfortable but anaesthetised drive. Not this one. And that’s why we all love driving it. Shapur loves the 1.5-litre TSI engine that’s strong and makes the Kushaq quick off the line as well as in roll-ons. Hormazd took it to his favourite haunt – Mahabaleshwar – and came back proclaiming this to be the best mass segment DSG by a long shot. And I am really smitten with its ride and handling balance. These traits have really come in handy during the monsoons – overtaking black-and-yellow cabs, struggling through rain-ravaged streets with fogged up windscreens is a breeze. Flex your rig...

Ducati has teased the launch of the most expensive and performance oriented Multistrada called the V4 RS. Equipped with an engine that has been derived from the Panigale V4 and Streetfighter V4 models. Uses titanium subframe which is 2.5kg lighter Will be the most expensive Multistrada on sale Ducati Multistrada V4 RS, details The 1,103cc V4 produces 180hp at 12,250rpm and 118Nm at 9,500rpm. It is worth noting that while the Multistrada V4 RS is the most powerful in the Multistrada range, it produces slightly less torque than the Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak. It is also equipped with a dry clutch and air filter that was borrowed from the Panigale V4 R. It is equipped with electronically adjustable Ohlin suspension and rides on a set of Marchesini forged wheels, both of which are also found on the Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak. It also gets brake pads sourced from the Panigale V4 and rides on a set of Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4 Corsa tyres. Ducati says that the V4 RS tips the scale at 225k...

Let’s paint a picture of the ideal SUV. You start off with a sleek silhouette that inspires confidence and exhilaration. Now throw in a powerful 1.0-litre turbocharged engine and a slick-shifting gearbox. Add a dash of cutting-edge technology for good measure and don’t forget that plush SUV ride quality. Good job! Chances are that we’re on the same page and only one image comes to mind — the Renault Kiger. Whether it’s the daily commute to office or outings with the gang, navigating the urban jungle can be a tricky affair. Jammed roads, potholes, stray pedestrians, it’s all a mess. Luckily, the Kiger has you covered with its silky 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine and smooth gearbox, making city driving as easy as 1,2,3. Helping along the way are also the Kiger’s intelligent multi-sense drive modes: Eco, Normal and Sport; catering to any challenge the urban gauntlet throws its way.   But that’s still not the whole picture. Out on the open highway, the 100hp engine and splendid dri...

Hyundai is gearing up to launch the Alcazar facelift on September 9, and it recently opened bookings for the new SUV for a token amount of Rs 25,000. The Alcazar facelift will remain mechanically unchanged but gets significant cosmetic upgrades inside out, including new colour options. Here are the details. Alcazar facelift to continue with existing petrol and diesel engines New features include twin, connected screens and ADAS suite Bookings ongoing for a token amount of Rs 25,000 Hyundai Alcazar facelift colour options The Alcazar facelift will be available in a total of nine exterior colours, of which eight are monotone: Titan Grey Matte, Starry Night, Ranger Khaki, Abyss Black, Atlas White, Robust Emerald Pearl, Robust Emerald Matte and Fiery Red. The last three are new for the Alcazar, and the Robust Emerald Pearl is shared with the Creta. In dual-tone, there’s just the Atlas White with Abyss Black roof. The older Alcazar had more dual-tone options, including Ranger Khaki...

Think ‘Harley Sportster’ and an air-cooled V-Twin engine bolted to a classically styled cruiser is the first image that comes to mind. However, the modern Harley Sportster models are anything but. Case in point, this Sportster S. It is powered by the same motor as the Pan America but doesn’t get variable valve timing, which means output figures are relatively lower. However, with 121hp and 125Nm on tap, its output definitely isn’t lacking. And it feels light years faster than the old air-cooled models. Let me give you some context before we proceed. We had just been informed that the rain was going to get heavier and the Bira Circuit would close in half an hour. I walked up to the handsome ‘Sharkskin Blue’ Sportster S a little apprehensively, as the instructor vehemently insisted that I don’t ride it in any mode other than Rain. Without protest, I decided to heed his advice and feathered the throttle to exit the pit lane. 1250T motor loses out on VVT, but still packs in a solid pun...

BluArmor has launched its third product in the form of the C50 Pro at Rs 24,999. The C50 Pro follows the C30 and the HS1 headset (we’ll be reviewing the latter soon, so keep an eye out), with the company positioning this as its flagship offering.  Variety of mounting, controlling options Improved mesh, Bluetooth features C50 Pro claimed to weigh as much as C30 BluArmor C50 Pro features, battery life, mesh intercom range BluArmor claims it has incorporated the feedback its customers have given it for the C30 and addressed all those issues as well as added new features to create the C50 Pro. The C50 Pro can be mounted to your helmet either via a magnetic mount (like a Cardo Packtalk Edge) or a conventional mount. BluArmor says that the C50 Pro is mounted at the back of the helmet so as not to disturb the helmet’s balance while riding it.  The magnetic mount also gets a small lighting system which can be customised as per the user to flash different colours in differen...

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has alleged Mercedes-Benz India of non-compliance with environmental standards at manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. In response, the luxury carmaker said that it has not received any formal request from MPCB describing the claimed violations and was ready to take any "corrective action" if required. MPCB alleges Mercedes' Pune plant of violating pollution control guidelines Mercedes India says no formal notice received from the board yet In a statement, MPCB said it came across the alleged violations of the guidelines during an inspection of the facility on Friday. "During a routine inspection conducted on August 23, 2024, it was discovered that the Mercedes Benz assembly plant in Chakan, Pune, is not adhering to the pollution control guidelines set by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The board has instructed its regional officer to take immediate action to ensure that the assembly plant compli...

I own a Jeep Meridian and its battery has completely drained. This forced me to take it to the service station twice: I was at home for the the first time, but it abruptly stalled on the road for the second time. The battery drained while the vehicle was running. They kept the vehicle for over four days, but the problem recurred within three days of installing a new battery. Please advice on how this can be rectified permanently.  Prasad Wani, Thane Autocar India says: The battery-drain issue is a common problem reported by several Meridian customers. However, in most cases, replacing the OEM battery and updating the Body Control Module (BCM) has helped resolve the issue. It is likely that the BCM, which controls various functions such as dimming the interior lights, locking the doors, or even flashing the turn indicators on lock/unlock, could be drawing extra current (parasitic draw) from the battery, owing to a bug in the system’s programming. It could also be due to a faulty...

The new-gen KTM 250 Duke is such an entertainer that it instantly became my favourite of the many 250s on sale in India, but the motorcycle you see here has changed that. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise, because the Vitpilen 250 is essentially the same bike under its Swedish skin as they both share the same platform. However, there are a couple of things this Husqvarna does differently that just earn it the edge in my books. Husqvarna Vitpilen 250: Design The first is the looks. The latest KTMs are aggressively wild and angular, but they can be a bit too much for some people, and that’s where the more sophisticated Huskies come in. Mature doesn’t mean boring, though, and these bikes have a pretty unique style as well. The lighter-coloured Vitpilen, in particular, seems to catch a lot more attention than its bigger sibling, the Svartpilen 401, which only comes in dark grey. The new Vitpilen’s looks certainly aren’t as quirky-cool as the first-gen model, but that bike had plenty ...

Which is the ultimate 300? If you are a classic car or a Mercedes-Benz enthusiast, chances are that your ultimate 300 would either be the Euro 135 million 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé (see box) or the 300 SLR ‘722’ (W 196 S). The latter race car was driven by Sir Stirling Moss on May 1, 1955, and won the Mille Miglia, the famous 1000-mile (1,600km) race across Italy (from Brescia to Rome and back) alongside co-driver Denis Jenkinson. The car’s race number was 722, denoting the 7:22am flag-off time. Moss and Jenkinson completed the gruelling challenge in 10 hours, 7 minutes and 48 seconds, averaging a speed of 97.96 miles per hour (about 158kph)! The British racing legend finished over half an hour ahead of Juan Manuel Fangio, who completed the race (without a navigator) in 10 hours, 39 minutes and 33 seconds, also driving a 300 SLR. Moss’ record still stands. Sir Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson winning the 1955 Mille Miglia in the now iconic ‘722’. Moss said in one of his interviews...

At Autocar India, we go to the ends of the Earth to get you the story first. In the past, we’ve been to Brazil, Indonesia, Egypt and half a dozen other countries, all so we can get behind the wheel nice and early. This time, we’ve come to an even more difficult-to-access place: China. And the car that has drawn us here is the all-new long-wheelbase Mercedes E-Class. Based on the new W214 E-Class, the long-wheelbase E-Class or V214 is a very different car. Substantially longer and heavier, with the focus now on the rear seat, this long-wheelbase car is so different that it could easily be a model unto itself. Core E-Class values, however, remain the same – refinement, comfort and effortless performance. It has always been like this for the E-Class and is likely to remain so long after electrons replace hydrocarbons ‘under the hood’. What’s new is an emphasis on the latest and best digital tech, with many truly impressive solutions implemented on this new car.  For the record, Ind...