VR Tech Times

The Lexus ES sedan has received a second facelift in international markets, suggesting that the new, eighth-gen model is still some time away. Revealed at the recently concluded Auto Guangzhou show in China, the refreshed ES gets changes to its exterior design, and less buttons on the inside. Incidentally, the ES sedan is not only a popular model for Lexus in India, accounting for 58 percent of the brand’s sales in October, but it’s also an in-demand model in China, where over 10 lakh units have sold so far. ES facelift gets RX-inspired grille design Gets new 14-inch  touchscreen infotainment Remains mechanically unchanged On the outside, the updated ES sports a new design for the spindle grille that seems to be inspired by the RX . There are new, sharper, matrix LED headlights with new boomerang-shaped DRLs. An LED light bar now connects the mildly tweaked tail-lights, which also get L-shaped LEDs. The cabin of the ES now features a larger 14-inch touchscreen infotainment tha

You may have seen enough of the Mahindra Thar Roxx, Force Gurkha 5-door and Maruti Suzuki Jimny during our Off-road Day feature , so I’ll keep the introductions short. The Thar Roxx is more than just a longer, 5-door version of the Thar because it’s built on a new chassis, packs in more tech and has a few added off-road tricks up its wheel arches, too. Force’s Gurkha 5-door adds length, doors and practicality to the Gurkha 3-door we know and love, and it also debuts a more powerful engine. The plucky Maruti Suzuki Jimny hasn’t changed in any way, shape or form since its launch last year but promises a very different experience to the others. First order of business? To judge the trio for what they are – off-roaders. Thar Roxx vs Jimny vs Gurkha 5 door off road performance   The three tick the off-roader essentials checklist with tough ladder-frame constructions and low range. The Jimny is the only one to use solid axles at both front and rear, promising greater articulation, while

I have been dreaming about buying an Interceptor 650 for two years, but now that I am ready to make the purchase, I am confused about which RE 650 I should go for. Should I go ahead with the Interceptor or should I consider one of the new ones? I am not a fan of cruisers so the Super Meteor is not an option. Rajiv Joshi, via email Autocar India says: RE’s 650 line-up has evolved tremendously over the last two years and your confusion is easy to understand. While the Interceptor received an update recently, it remains the most simple and affordable of the 650s. The Shotgun is a unique proposition with its bobber-esque style, but if comfort is a priority, then the Shotgun may not be for you as the rear suspension is quite firm. There’s also the new Classic 650 that will launch in India in the coming months. For many people, this will be the most beautiful of the 650s, but since it is largely based on the Shotgun platform, we’d advise riding it on Indian roads to gauge its comfort le

Kia has taken the wraps off the powerful EV9 GT at the ongoing Los Angeles Auto Show 2024. The EV9 GT will sit at the top of the EV9 line-up globally. Kia EV9 gets virtual gear shift tech with fake engine noise Comes with larger brakes, limited-slip diff Gets unique exterior and interior bits Kia EV9 GT sits at the top of the line-up Compared to the standard EV9, the GT gets a more powerful dual-motor setup and styling and mechanical updates. The performance-oriented electric SUV gets a 215hp motor mounted on the front axle and a 362hp unit at the rear making a combined 501hp. That’s 122hp more than the current EV9 GT-Line that is sold internationally. Kia estimates that this will help it do the 0-96kph run in 4.3 seconds. The EV9 GT also comes with larger brakes, upgraded suspension with adaptive dampers, 21-inch wheels with Continental tyres and an electronic rear limited-slip differential. The EV9 GT also gets Kia’s Virtual Gear Shift (VGS) tech, similar to the one on the

Kawasaki has announced a significant price reduction for its flagship sportbike, the Ninja ZX-10R, in India. The ex-showroom price has been slashed by Rs 1.14 lakh, bringing it down to Rs 17.34 lakh. Kawasaki ZX-10R details The 2025 edition of the Ninja ZX-10R was initially launched in India in September at Rs 17.13 lakh . However, shortly after its debut, Kawasaki increased the price to Rs 18.50 lakh. However, this put it on par with its European rivals which are perceived to be more premium and taking away from one of the key selling points of the ZX-10R. In response, the Japanese manufacturer has revised the pricing to make the supersport more competitive. Powering the Ninja ZX-10R is a 998cc inline four-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 203hp at 13,200rpm (or 213hp with RAM Air intake) and 114.9Nm at 11,400rpm. The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox and comes equipped with a bi-directional quick shifter as standard. The ZX-10R is equipped with advanced feat

Maruti Suzuki recently launched the fourth-generation Dzire in India, and unlike previous generations of the sedan, the CNG powertrain has been offered right from launch this time. If you are in the market looking for a compact CNG sedan, you have two other options – the Hyundai Aura CNG and the Tata Tigor CNG. Here, we are comparing how the new Maruti Dzire CNG stacks up against its rivals in terms of specs, mileage, features and price. Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG vs rivals: powertrain, specs Maruti Dzire CNG vs rivals: powertrain, specs Dzire CNG Aura CNG Tigor CNG Engine 1.2-litre, 3-cyls 1.2-litre, 4-cyls 1.2-litre, 3-cyls Power in CNG mode 70hp 69hp 73hp Torque in CNG mode 102Nm 95Nm 95Nm Gearbox 5-speed MT 5-speed MT 5-speed MT/5-speed AMT Mileage 33.73km/kg 28.4km/kg 26.49 km/kg CNG tank size (water capacity) 55-litres 65-litres 70-litres Powered by the new Z12E, three-cylinder engine, in CNG spec, the Dzire produces 70hp

First pictures of what would’ve been the Jaguar J-Pace SUV have surfaced online, thanks to our sister publication Autocar UK . The images give us a first glimpse of the SUV that was cancelled three years ago. J-Pace would have shared Range Rover’s MLA platform Was planned to get a traditional-looking interior New Jaguar GT concept to debut on December 2 Jaguar J-Pace: what do the leaked images reveal? The leaked images give us a hint that the development of the J-Pace SUV was at an advanced stage when the project was cancelled. The J-Pace would have been a sibling model to the current Range Rover and Range Rover Sport , being built on the same MLA 'flex-fuel’ platform. The studio model that is seen in these images was built primarily to demonstrate the J-Pace’s interior and its packaging to company management, according to an insider. That means little of the final exterior styling can be seen, but the J-Pace’s appearance would have clearly been strongly related to the F-P

Royal Enfield has taken the wraps off another new motorcycle, this time a 350cc Bobber named the Goan Classic Based on Classic 350 platform Gets different wheel sizes Royal Enfield Goan Classic details The Goan Classic celebrates the custom scene that is intrinsically associated with Royal Enfield. This is meant to be a bobber-style motorcycle, which is evident in the low stance and single seat layout. However Royal Enfield has gone to great lengths to ensure that the bike is also reasonably practical and comfortable. To that extent, it gets the option of a pillion seat which can be attached to the base of the rider seat and the rear suspension actually has more travel than the Classic 350 - 105mm vs 90mm. The big change mechanically is the move to a 16-inch rear wheel (from 18-inch) while the front remains the same 19-incher as the Classic 350 . What’s unique here is that the bike comes with spoked rims that support tubeless tyres, a first for this segment. The Royal Enfield

Hyundai has unveiled the flagship model for its Ioniq range of EVs. The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a three-row SUV that will go on sale in Korea and the United States in the first half of next year before being introduced in European and other markets. The e-SUV will also be showcased at the LA Auto Show, scheduled to take place from November 22 to December 1. Hyundai Ioniq 9 packs a 110.3kWh battery with an estimated 620km range The Long-Range trim gets RWD and AWD, and the Performance trim is AWD only Ioniq 9 has a 3,130mm wheelbase and up to 2,050mm legroom for rows two and three Hyundai Ioniq 9 battery, range, motors Powering Hyundai’s new range-topping EV is a 110.3kWh (gross) battery pack that is said to have a projected WLTP range of up to 620km on a single charge, but this figure is for the Long-Range RWD variant specced with the smaller 19-inch wheels. Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP architecture – like the Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV9 , both of which are on sale in India – the Ioniq 9 i

The next-gen KTM 390 Adventure will be available in three variants, of which the range-topping R model has already been showcased at EICMA. It is now likely that KTM will reveal the other two models at the 2024 India Bike Week   390 Adventure X and 390 Adventure S will have lower seat heights Price reveal and launch in early 2025 KTM 390 Adventure X, 390 Adventure S details The 390 Adventure R is a serious off-road machine and it has 230mm of suspension travel as well as a tall 885mm seat height. Bajaj has learned from the current gen 390 ADV that seat height is a sensitive issue in India which is why there will be two more variants that will have a much lower seat height this time around.   The first is the 390 Adventure X, which like in the current gen model is going to be the affordable model in the line-up and it will run on 19-inch/17-inch wheels against the 21-inch/18inch setup up on the new 390 Adventure R. Suspension travel will also be reduced, at 200mm at both ends,

Max Verstappen is on the brink of securing his fourth F1 title, but it hasn’t been clean sailing for him this year, with McLaren and Ferrari putting on a tough fight. Ahead of this weekend’s Las Vegas GP, we caught up with former F1 driver-turned pundit Karun Chandhok to discuss the title fight, what the future holds for Alpine (now that it has confirmed plans to use Mercedes' engines and gearboxes from 2026 onwards), Kush Maini’s F1 prospects and more: 2024 has been a great season for F1 fans; we finally have multiple cars in with a chance to win races. What factors had to fall into place to make a season like this happen? First is Red Bull not being able to improve as much as they would have liked. They certainly seem to have rediscovered a little bit of form recently. But there was a phase in the middle of the year, there was a good chunk of five to six weekends where they were not able to deliver performance that we’re used to. And Max had to really exploit every bit of his

Triumph Motorcycles has updated the Tiger Sport 660 in international markets for 2025. Packed with new technology, the 2025 model debuts various advanced features while keeping the price increase minimal internationally.  Remains mechanically unchanged Gets four new colours 2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 details The Tiger Sport 660 retains its liquid-cooled 660cc three-cylinder engine that continues to make 81hp at 10,250rpm and 64Nm at 6250rpm. Like the Trident 660 , Triumph has updated the Tiger Sport 660 with new electronic features like cruise control, switchable traction control and cornering ABS.   Additionally, riders now have access to three riding modes, with the addition of a Sport mode. These modes can be accessed by the same part TFT and LCD which also supports Bluetooth connectivity. You also get a bi-directional quick shifter as standard now. Triumph has also launched it with four new colours, featuring a new ‘Roulette Green’ colour. The updated Tiger Sport 660 wil

The contribution of CNG-powered vehicles to Hyundai Motor India’s overall sales hit a record 14.9 percent in October on the back of strong demand in that segment and the company’s strong portfolio of entry-level CNG models. Hyundai offers CNG variants for Exter, Aura and Nios CNG models made up 12.8 percent of its April-October sales The share of CNG models in car sales is higher in rural markets  The company recently introduced its dual CNG cylinder setup in the Grand i10 Nios and Exter , following which both models recorded incremental sales numbers as it offered better boot space and higher fuel efficiency. “We continuously listen to our customers’ feedback. The introduction of Hy-CNG Duo is aimed at meeting customer demands of providing ample space with high mileage and safety. This has helped us achieve the highest-ever CNG penetration of 14.9 percent in October 2024,” said Hyundai India’s chief operating officer Tarun Garg. Apart from the Grand i10 and Exter, Hyundai al

The Innova Crysta has been a steady seller for Toyota, even after the launch of the Hycross back in 2022. The company’s trusty diesel MPV continues to be a favourite, not just for the fleet operators but also for private buyers. Here, we have the latest update on Innova Crysta's waiting period.  Entry-level variants have a two-month waiting Mid and high variants have a three-month waiting Disclaimer:  Waiting periods are subject to change depending on the dealer and region. Please check with your local dealership for the exact waiting periods in your area. Toyota Innova Crysta waiting period November 2024 According to the official notification from Toyota, the waiting period for the Crysta hovers around the  2-3 month mark, down from five months in July this year. While lower variants have a waiting period of two months, the mid-spec  Innova Crysta GX+ , launched in May this year, has a slightly higher waiting period of three months. This variant, thanks to its added fea

I saw that Hero has just shown an updated Mavrick 440 with a TFT colour screen and with USD forks. I was considering the Harley X440, but now that the Mavrick has the same features for less price I am confused about which bike to buy. Kunal Desai, via email Autocar India says: Hero did show an updated Mavrick 440 on the sidelines at EICMA and the bike had the features you have mentioned. There is no timeline for when this bike will launch in India, but we can expect to go on sale in the coming months. If you are willing to wait, you will get a better deal than the Harley X440, but there are more differences between these two bikes that you should consider than just the price difference . Aside from the badge value, the Harley looks and feels like a bigger bike than the Hero. It also has a more easy going and stable feel thanks to its larger wheels. The Hero on the other hand feels more compact and agile, both thanks to its bodywork as well as its smaller 17-inch wheels. We’d advis

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E-Performance 4MATIC+ is a hybrid sports sedan that packs in supercar-rivalling performance for a price of Rs 1.95 crore (ex-showroom). Yes, Mercedes is asking for double the price of an AMG C 43, but is the C 63 twice the car? To find the answer and get a taste of its track capabilities, we experience it on the Buddh International Circuit. Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E-Performance 4MATIC+ performance What gave the previous editions of the C 63 an almost legendary status were their manic V8 petrol engines. In this iteration, though, Mercedes has plonked in a 2-litre turbo-petrol unit. But it isn’t a run-of-the-mill engine – its M139L is the most powerful four-cylinder in the world. It carries forward the F1 tech from the C 43 sedan, such as the electric exhaust gas turbocharger, wherein a small electric motor spins up the turbo even before the exhaust gases gush in, thereby eliminating turbo lag. But it gets a larger turbo, which takes the max output to 476hp/545Nm,

Also see: Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 review: In demand Mahindra XUV 3XO scores 5 star Bharat NCAP rating Mahindra XUV 3XO waiting period increases to over a year from Autocar India https://ift.tt/5xG74FU

The Mahindra Thar , launched in October 2020, has driven past the 2,00,000-unit sales milestone in the Indian market. As per the latest SIAM industry wholesale data as well as the company's monthly sales statistics, the Thar 3-door, which has recently been joined by the 5-door Thar Roxx , has clocked total sales of 2,07,110 units till the end of October, 2024. Thar achieves 2 lakh unit sales milestone in a little over 4 years Thar Roxx has significantly boosted sales numbers Production to be ramped up further to cope with demand Mahindra Thar sales analysis What has clicked for the second-generation Thar in its 3-door avatar is its impeccable off-road prowess while retaining everyday usability, thanks to its modern interior, features, relatively easy driving manners and automatic transmission options. Mahindra Thar yearly sales Fiscal Unit sales Percentage change FY2021 14,186 - FY2022 37,844 167% FY2023 47,108 24.47% FY2024 65,246 38.50%