VR Tech Times

The mountains are calling, and I must go’ is probably one of the most frequently used quotes to pack your ‘Decathlon’ wardrobe and head to the Himalayas. Of course, the complete quote is: The mountains are calling, and I must go, and I will work on while I can, studying incessantly. But nearly everyone dwells on the first bit. For me, even the stunning Instagram posts and epic drone shots of snow-capped peaks are no bait, but my colleagues promised me this trip would change my mind about the mountains. This wouldn’t be the run-of-the-mill ‘Leh-Ladakh’ trip. Because I was headed to the sparsely explored but exceptionally stunning region of Zanskar. More specifically, to experience some of the absolutely mesmerising sights. The Gonbo Rangjon mountain, Phukthar Monastery and the Drang-Drung glacier near the Pensi La Pass in Kargil. Every tarmac road needs to be savoured as it may end abruptly. Sounds challenging, but what’s a trip to the Himalayas without a bit of a challenge? That

Tata Motors announced the demerger of its commercial vehicle and passenger vehicle businesses into two entities. The press release cited key reasons for the same as ‘synergies’ and ‘global focus’. While it sure has positive outcomes for the stock market, as a marketer, one may ask whether such a move is aimed purely at the shareholders, or is there more? To me, there are many market-facing reasons why demergers happen or are the better way forward for a multi-product/multi-business/multi-market organisation. The decision is the outcome of an outside-in approach. It is determined by consumer behaviour across segments, categories and markets. The passenger vehicle customer does not think and behave in the same way as a commercial vehicle buyer. Simple. Also, the passenger vehicle customer in India thinks very differently from the one in the Netherlands. Again, simple. Which means that the strategic focus, decision-making, action-orientation, investments, customer-relationship managemen

I have booked a Škoda Kodiaq, but I am confused if I should buy this or wait for the new model. Also, how much will the new model cost, approximately? Ranjan Bhatnagar, Palampur Autocar India says: The new Kodiaq is unlikely to come this year as it will come in CKD form, which requires more lead time and planning to bring to India. We suggest you go ahead and buy the current Kodiaq as the changes on the updated SUV are not worth the long wait. It will also be more expensive than the current SUV that’s priced at Rs 39.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Also See: New Skoda Kodiaq SUV breaks cover 2022 Skoda Kodiaq facelift review, test drive 2022 Skoda Kodiaq facelift video review       from Autocar India https://ift.tt/B1IsYKa

Since Mahindra launched the facelifted XUV 3XO in April this year, the compact SUV has got a new lease of life. Demand has considerably soared and it now averages 9,000-10,000 units a month, up from about 4,000 units that it did before the update. This has naturally led to high waiting periods, and here we take a look at exactly how much you have to wait for each variant. XUV 3XO prices range between Rs 7.49 lakh and Rs 15.49 lakh Petrol variants have a maximum waiting period of 6 months Diesel variants only have one month in waiting Mahindra XUV 3XO waiting period details Mahindra XUV 3XO waiting period Trim Petrol Diesel MX1 Up to 6 months - MX2/MX2 Pro 3-4 months Up to 1 month MX3/MX3 Pro 3-4 months Up to 1 month AX5 Up to 4 months Up to 1 month AX5 L 2-3 months - AX7 2-3 months Up to 1 month AX7 L 2-3 months Up to 1 month As you can see in the table above, the base MX1 petrol variant has the maximum waiting period of up t

Maruti Suzuki recently introduced the CNG version of the fourth-gen Swift, marking the first time the new Z12E engine is available with a CNG kit. The Swift CNG is available in three variants, namely VXi, VXi (O), and ZXi, and goes up against the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios CNG as well as the Tata Tiago CNG. Here’s a detailed spec comparison of the new Swift CNG with both its rivals. Maruti Swift CNG vs rivals: dimensions Maruti Swift CNG vs rivals: dimensions Car Maruti Swift CNG Hyundai Grand i10 Nios CNG Tata Tiago CNG Length (mm) 3860 3815 3765 Width (mm) 1735 1680 1677 Height (mm) 1520 1520 1535 Wheelbase (mm) 2450 2450 2400 Tyre size 185/65 R15 175/60 R15 175/65 R14 CNG kit Single cylinder Singe cylinder/Dual cylinder Dual cylinder The Swift is longer than the Grand i10 Nios and Tiago, while is also wider than the two. At 1,520mm, the Maruti hatch has the same height as its Hyundai rival, while the two also have a 2,450mm long

I’m using the fifth-gen Honda City, and I am looking to upgrade to a 6- or 7-seater. I will buy it under my company’s lease policy and sell it after the lease ends in four years. Hence, I want a car with good resale value. I have shortlisted the Tata Safari Accomplished+ AT and the Mahindra XUV700 diesel AT. In fact, I even booked the Safari a week ago. However, I’m sceptical about Tata and Mahindra as there are reliability issues. I am also not sure of their resale value and service cost. Abhay Shinde, Pune Autocar India says: It is true that neither Tata nor Mahindra have bullet-proof reliability like Toyota. Between the two, customer complaints for Tata cars, especially software related, has gone up in recent months. The XUV700 also has niggles, but these are slowly getting sorted out. Between the two, the XUV700 diesel is a better choice largely because of its smoother and more powerful diesel unit. Also, with the recent price cuts, the XUV700 is an even more attractive option.

General Motors and Hyundai Motor Company have signed an agreement to explore future collaboration across key multiple strategic areas. As part of this agreement, both brands will jointly look for ways to leverage their strengths and scale in pursuit for cost reduction and bring a wider range of vehicles and customers faster. Both brands will explore joint vehicle development Will also see opportunities for joint powertrain development Plans to work on clean energy will be explored too GM Hyundai JV: what’s the plan? Both brands will explore potential collaboration projects on joint development and production of passenger and commercial vehicles, internal combustion engine and clean energy, EV and hydrogen powered vehicles.  Both brands will also review opportunities for combined sourcing in areas such as battery raw materials, steel and other areas. The framework agreement was signed by Hyundai Motor Group executive chairman Euisun Chung and GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. Barra

After revamping its entry-level C3 line-up globally, Citroen has now shifted focus on readying its flagship next-gen C5 Aircross SUV. The new C5 Aircross will see a global debut next year and will spawn an electric derivative that has been spied testing abroad. The outgoing model was available with multiple powertrain options, including a diesel engine which is also on sale in India  New C5 Aircross will be based on STLA platform Might get a new third-row of seats  Global debut in 2025   Next-gen C5 Aircross: What do the spy shots show? These spy shots have been captured near Spain by our friends at Motor.es . At first glance, it appears the test mule is wearing the same body as the existing C5 Aircross, but a closer look reveals new underpinnings. First up, the battery pack is clearly visible, jutting out from under the car between the front and the rear axles. Secondly, at the back, the standard C5 Aircross has an exhaust pipe which is missing on this test mule.   The spot

We have been eagerly waiting for a Honda electric scooter to launch in India but that project has seen some delays. However, the company’s CEO, Tsutsumu Otani has now confirmed that Honda’s electric scooter will be launched in March 2025.  Could get a removable battery Remains to be seen what name it uses Honda electric scooter for India: details Some months ago, we reported that Honda has set up an exclusive production line at its Karnataka plant for electric two-wheelers. Production of the Honda e-scooter for India is slated to begin in December 2024, ahead of its March 2025 launch.  Very little is known about what the Honda electric scooter, including its name, which the internet speculates will be called the Activa electric. Capitalising on the humongous market share of the Activa will be Honda’s intention but whether it does so in such an outright manner remains to be seen.  Also See: Suzuki e-Burgman revealed with swappable battery There are also no details available o

The Tata Punch recently became India’s bestselling car and to continue its sales momentum, Tata Motors will soon introduce the facelifted Punch in the market. Sources tell us that the launch of the Punch facelift has been brought forward by some months. The brand had earlie confirmed that the facelifted Punch would go on sale only by mid-2025. Here’s a look at what all will be new on the Tata Punch facelift.  Punch facelift to get quite a few cosmetic updates 10.25 inch infotainment screen among new features No mechanical changes expected Tata Punch facelift: new feature list As far as features go, the Punch facelift will get a 10.25 inch infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, wireless charging pad and C-type fast charging ports in Accomplished and Creative variants. Sunroof will be available in more variants like Punch Adventure.  There will be a new “Grand Console” for the front passenger with armrest and integrated rear AC vents. The variant gra

The government of India has announced a new PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-Drive) scheme. This new scheme will supersede the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicle (FAME II) scheme, which expired in March this year, but with a smaller outlay.   PM E-Drive has an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore for two years Scheme covers electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers Electric, hybrid cars not part of PM E-Drive scheme PM E-Drive: what does it offer? The PM E-Drive, under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, is a two year scheme that has a total budgetary outlay of Rs 10,900 crore. This scheme will provide subsidies on the purchase of electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers, electric trucks and buses as well as electric ambulances. Apart from these, the scheme will also support 88,500 electric vehicle charging sites. Unlike the previous schemes, however, the new PM E-Drive scheme however does not provide subsidies on th

MG has launched the Windsor in India as its third EV, joining the likes of Comet and ZS EV. The crossover-styled electric hatch is priced from Rs 9.99 lakh onwards (introductory), along with an additional first of its kind pay as you drive battery rental of Rs 3.5 per kilometre driven.  MG Windsor variants explained  The Windsor is available in three variants, namely Excite, Exclusive and Essence. All three variants are equipped with the same front-mounted electric motor producing 136hp and 200Nm of peak torque. The EV gets a 38kWh battery pack offering a claimed range of 331km on a single charge. Let’s take a look at what features you get with each trim, and at what price.  MG Windsor variant-wise feature list MG Windsor Excite (Price: Rs 9.99 lakh) LED projector headlamps with DRLs LED tail lamps Illuminated front logo 17-inch steel wheels with wheel covers Flush door handles Glass antenna Front armrest Fabric seats 60:40 rear seat split Front, rear adjustable headres

Ola Electric, the electric two-wheeler market leader in India, has become the first EV maker in the country to achieve retail sales of 3 lakh units in a single calendar year. Fittingly enough, the company recorded the milestone on September 9 – World EV Day. As per the latest Vahan retail sales data, Ola Electric has delivered a total of 3,04,393 units (as of September 10, 11 am). With four months left to go in the current calendar year, expect Ola to cross sales of 4,00,000 units. Ola Electric, which has averaged monthly sales of 37,220 units between January-August 2024, currently has a 41 percent market share in the year to date.   Ola has been the first e-two-wheeler OEM to hit the 1 lakh, 2 lakh, and 3 lakh sales milestones in India. While its retails in the last few months of CY2021 were just 240 units, CY2022 saw Ola register sales of 1,09,396 units – which was more than the combined sales of Ather Energy (51,808 units), the then No. 2 OEM, and TVS Motor Co (47,812 units).  I

Also See: Hero Destini 125 review: Destined to Succeed? from Autocar India https://ift.tt/zO5Y76y

While Hero is the biggest name in the commuter bike space, in the 125cc scooter game, it isn't as popular as Suzuki, TVS, Yamaha and Honda. However, it is looking to remedy exactly that with its family-oriented entrant in this segment, the Destini 125. We've been able to spend some time with it zipping around the bylanes of Goa and here's our assessment.  Hero Destini 125 design, quality, features In the design department, the 2024 Destini 125 has gone down an unconventional route. While its design isn't as timeless as a Vespa, the Destini is a good looking thing for the most part. It blends both modern and retro design elements and while I like most of it, the way Hero has integrated the indicators into the rear section is a little polarising.  With the new design, quality has also seen a big step up all across and I particularly like the new, tactile switchgear. The Destini has also seen numerous additions to its feature list. Things that are exclusive to the top

Hyundai will unveil its flagship electric SUV, the Ioniq 9, later this year. The new electric seven-seater, twinned with the Kia EV9, is a development of the Seven concept shown three years ago. This new SUV will be a direct rival to the likes of the Volvo EX90 and the BMW iX. Hyundai Ioniq 9 to sit on e-GMP platform Likely to get a hotter N variant later Will get three row layout as well The flagship SUV was originally pegged to be badged as the Ioniq 7, but our sister publication Autocar UK understands it was renamed because ‘7’ would have implied it was lesser than the EV9.  The Ioniq 9 will use the same extended version of the e-GMP platform as its twin and is also likely to have the same 99.8kWh battery pack. As with the EV9, 203hp single-motor and 383hp dual-motor set-ups will be offered. It is likely that the SUV will gain a hot N variant, given that a ‘GT’ version of the EV9 has already been spied testing at the Nürburgring. This makes a case for the Ioniq 9 to use the

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the longest running brand in India, having been around for over three decades now. But sales really skyrocketed (by luxury car standards) with the introduction of the V213 long-wheelbase version, introduced in 2017, and from thereon, the E-Class became the best-selling model for the German car maker. Now, the all-new V214 E-Class, takes the same winning formula and promises to be more tech-laden and more comfortable than its predecessor. Here’s all that you should know about the all-new Mercedes E-Class that will likely be launched next month. New Mercedes E-Class LWB exteriors, dimensions The new E-Class is easily distinguishable from its predecessor thanks to its front styling that draws inspiration from modern Mercedes EQ models. Its large chrome grille sporting an oversized 3D logo surrounded by multiple smaller three-pointed stars sets the tone, and makes a statement that you’ve arrived. The gloss black panel surrounding the grille might not have a

MG will begin to equip electric cars with solid-state batteries within the next 12 months, an official from its parent company, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), has confirmed. MG EV with solid state battery to debut by second half of 2025 MG pulls forward solid state battery timeline by more than 12 months Speaking at the Chengdu motor show in China, Yu Jingmin, executive vice president of SAIC’s passenger vehicle operations, revealed to Autocar UK, that new solid-state battery technology developed by the company and set to be shared with other SAIC brands will soon be launched in an MG model, likely in the second quarter of 2025, although he did not reveal the identity of the model.  MG had earlier announced the use of solid state batteries but the new timeline seems to have been advanced by more than 12 months. It also places MG ahead of its mainstream market rivals, including Volkswagen, in the planned adoption of solid-state battery technology in volume model

BSA is one of Britain's most iconic motorcycle brands, and although many may not remember its glory days, the name still evokes a sense of nostalgia. Originally known as the Birmingham Small Arms Company, BSA was once the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer and unfortunately faced bankruptcy in the 1970s. However, the BSA name was revived in 2016 by Classic Legends, who have also brought back the Yezdi and Jawa brands. The Gold Star is BSA's first product since its revival, and with its history and high capacity come high expectations. The "Goldie", as many call it, is a modern tribute to its 1950s predecessor and is made to capture the style and experience from a bygone era.     Regardless of nostalgia, the Gold Star is a good-looking motorcycle with classic lines, chrome detailing, and old-school BSA badges. It's a simple yet handsome design that looks timeless and makes for a great modern classic roadster. The tank features chrome and painted pinstri