VR Tech Times

Ola has launched its Gen 3 scooters, and this time around, there are four models: S1 X, S1 X+, S1 Pro and the new flagship S1 Pro+. Their prices start at Rs 79,999 and go up to Rs 1.70 lakh. The S1 Air has been discontinued, and the Gen 2 models of the S1 X and S1 Pro will continue to be on sale alongside the Gen 3 scooters at reduced prices.   Ola S1 Pro+ comes with dual-channel ABS, 320km claimed IDC range All Gen 3 Ola products have a mid-drive motor, chain final drive Bookings open today, deliveries begin in mid-Feb Changes on the Ola Gen 3 platform Before delving into the details of each product, let’s recap the main changes that Ola has made with its new Gen 3 platform. The company has moved all scooters to a mid-drive motor, replacing the hub-mounted unit on the previous ones. And all Ola Gen 3 scooters now have a chain final drive, which the company claims is less noisy than the Gen 2 products’ belt-driven motor. This move is similar to the River Indie , which ...

January saw a lot of buzz around automobiles due to the Auto Expo 2025 . As we enter the second month of the year, several carmakers are gearing up for new launches and price announcements. Interestingly, all three of these are combustion-engined cars. Without further ado, let’s find out about the two SUVs and a sports car launching in February. Kia Syros Since December 2024, we have covered everything from the reveal to the review of the Kia Syros compact SUV . The only thing that’s left is its price list. Because it sits above the Sonet , we expect the Syros HTK base model to have an around Rs 10 lakh price; no HTE and HTE (O) on offer. Similarly, the Syros HTX+ (O) top model could have a Rs 15 lakh to Rs 16 lakh price range. Pre-bookings for the new SUV are open for Rs 25,000. With the Syros SUV, Kia has focused on overall space in the cabin, especially at the back. Additional features here over the Sonet are bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen unit and driver’s display, a panoramic ...

The top 10 best-selling scooters – at 46,51,718 units in April-December 2024, accounted for 31 percent share of total scooter sales compared to 28 percent a year ago, selling an additional 7,93,934 units between them. And there are two popular electric scooters in the Top 10 – the TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak. Bajaj Chetak is currently India’s bestselling electric scooter iQube has been in the top 10 list since last year Gap between Activa and Jupiter is 1.20 million units Both zero-emission models, which have been benefiting from sustained demand in the domestic market, have registered strong double-digit growth in the current fiscal year. While the TVS iQube has sold 1,97,534 units, up 37 percent YoY (April-December 2023: 1,44,126 units) and ranked No. 6, Bajaj Auto has dispatched 1,88,765 Chetaks to its dealers across India, up 48 percent YoY (April-December 2023: 75,999 units) which gives it No. 7 rank. While the TVS iQube has retained its year-ago sixth rank, the Bajaj Cheta...

Hero MotoCorp’s diversification into the premium middleweight motorcycle segment is beginning to pay off. The company, which manufactures the Harley-Davidson X440 and the X440-based Hero Mavrick 440, has sold 12,188 units of these two models in the April-December 2024 period. This constitutes a year-on-year increase of 77 percent (April-December 2024: 6,862 units) and gives Hero MotoCorp a 13 percent share of this premium segment. Harley X440 reported 31 percent YoY sales growth Bajaj is the market leader in this segment, with a 51 percent share Total 350-500cc segment sales stand at 92,881 units The year-ago sales of 6,862 units comprised only the Harley-Davidson X440, which was launched in July 2023. The X440 is the first premium motorcycle to be introduced under the licensing agreement between Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson, marking their foray into the 400cc+ segment for the first time in India. The co-developed made-in-India Harley rolls out of Hero’s Garden Factory a...

Skoda India recently commenced deliveries for the Kylaq compact SUV , and test drives are also underway for potential customers. We’ve now got the waiting period details of the Kylaq which extends up to a maximum of 4 months, depending on the variant. Prices for the Kylaq currently range between Rs 7.89 lakh and Rs 14.40 lakh (ex-showroom). Kylaq waiting period averages between 2 to 4 months Gets a sole 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with MT and AT gearboxes Has a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating Skoda Kylaq waiting period details In the first phase, Skoda plans to deliver 33,000 units of Kylaq by May this year, with a majority of the production earmarked for the higher-spec variants. Naturally, the base Classic trim has the highest waiting period of up to a maximum of 4 months; this trim is only available with a manual gearbox and limited colour options. The second-from base Signature trim has an average waiting period of 3-4 months for both MT and AT variants, but it va...

Just a few days after patenting the design of the CB190TR neo-retro bike in India, Honda has now patented the design of the NPF125 scooter in our country. Just like the CB190TR, the NPF125 also has some similarities with a model sold in India, the Activa 125. Honda Activa 125 and NPF125 share their engines NPF125 has a sharp, angular design Just like the Activa, NPF125 also runs on 12/10-inch wheels (F/R) The NPF125 utilizes the same air-cooled, 124cc, single-cylinder engine as the Activa 125. While both scooters are powered by the same engine, the NPF125’s mill makes a little more power, at 9.5hp, compared to the Activa 125’s engine which is rated for 8.3hp. However, the Activa’s 10.5Nm torque output is higher than the NPF’s 10Nm figure. This discrepancy in peak outputs is likely down to the fact that India has much stricter emissions regulations than other Asian markets such as China and Vietnam, where the NPF125 is sold, as well as different tuning for the engine to suit the ...

Deliveries of the TVS X electric scooter finally commenced in December 2024, more than a year after it was launched. The X is TVS’s flagship electric scooter and is priced at Rs 2.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). TVS X deliveries began in Bengaluru  Some other cities will be rolled out in Q1 2025 Uses bike-specific Android Auto technology The X is an electric scooter like no other with its aluminium twin-spar frame, radical design language and tremendous amounts of features baked into the large 10.25-inch TFT display. Even so, when we sampled the scooter a few months after its launch, it had a few software and hardware related bugs that needed ironing out. TVS has taken its time to ensure everything was ship-shape before the X was delivered to customers, which began at the end of December 2024.  Currently, the deliveries of the TVS X have only begun in Bengaluru and the company says it will include four more cities in the next phase, two in the country’s Northern region...

Hero has teased an update to its Karizma XMR on its social media handle in the form of the Combat edition. It is slated to receive updates in order to keep it fresh for 2025.  Karizma Combat Edition to get golden USD fork Will come in a special grey colour Standard Karizma costs Rs 1.81 lakh, this will likely cost more The Combat Edition of the Karizma XMR will be very similar to the standard bike but with one crucial change. It will have a golden USD fork, which is something that is a USP of its chief rival, the Yamaha R15 V4 . Customers these days perceive the USD fork as a value addition and considering that was an omission on the Karizma XMR initially, Hero could be looking to rectify that this time around, with the Combat edition. The other change on the Karizma XMR Combat Edition will be the new grey colour, similar to the Xoom 110 Combat Edition. It remains to be seen if the Combat Edition will bring in any other feature-related updates such as a TFT display, which i...

The World Car Awards has announced the winner of the 2025 World Car Person of the Year: Stella Li, the executive vice-president of BYD. This not only marks the first time a woman has won a World Car Person of the Year award since its inception in 2018, but it is also a milestone for BYD as it becomes the first Chinese carmaker to win a World Car award. Li was selected by a jury of 96 international automotive journalists from 30 countries – including Autocar India's Hormazd Sorabjee and Renuka Kirpalani – who were also considering Ralph Gilles, Chief Design Officer of Stellantis and Simon Humphries, Head of Design and Chief Branding Officer of Toyota, for the prestigious award. The jury decided that Li’s contribution to the global automotive industry during the previous calendar year made her this year’s winner. She has been a key figure in BYD’s growth in global markets, with a host of model debuts, entry into new markets, and passing the impressive milestone of producing its 10-...

McLaren has sold over 50 supercars in India. This may not sound like a lot, especially as this number represents cumulative sales from back in 2022. However, factor in that the supercar maker produces no SUVs or performance sedans (only supercars and hypercars), was relatively unknown in India prior to its launch here, and has a range that starts at around Rs 4.5 crore and you understand why this actually is something of a big deal. Lalit Choudary, Dealer Principal of McLaren Mumbai, in fact also revealed that McLarens highest selling cars in India were the range topping 720S , and now the new 750S , which makes this brand quite different. For perspective Porsche sold 156 sportscars during the year, but its range tops out where McLaren’s begins. And look at Lamborghini and roughly forty percent of Lamborghini’s 113 cars sold this year are supercars. To mark the sale of 50 cars McLaren organised a Celebration Drive from Udaipur to Mount Abu and back, creating a special experience fo...

For 2025, Harley-Davidson has introduced a more road-biased variant of its adventure tourer, called the Pan America 1250 ST. It comes with updates, including lowered suspension, road-biased tyres, and 17-inch wheels at both ends. It gets the same 1,250cc engine, producing 150hp and 127Nm It features lowered suspension, a reduced seat height and road-biased tyres It gets changes such as a lighter exhaust and a new quickshifter In terms of changes, the Pan America 1250 ST trades its off-road credentials for road-biased features, including a recalibrated lower suspension, a new lighter exhaust with an eliminated mid-chamber, a lower seat height, a bi-directional quickshifter, 17-inch wheels, and road-biased Michelin Scorcher Sport tyres with dimensions of 120/70ZR17 (front) and 180/55R17 (rear). Harley-Davidson has also worked to make the Pan America 1250 ST look and feel slimmer by reducing the radiator shrouds and removing the knuckle guards. The Harley-Davidson Pan America 12...

Lexus India says it is experiencing steady sales growth, a trend that looks set to continue in 2025. Hikaru Ikeuchi, Lexus India President, credited the rise in sales to the brand's focus on quality and customer satisfaction in an interview with Autocar India. He also pointed out that the growing demand for luxury cars is a sign of the changing customer landscape, where increasing household incomes are fueling industry growth. “I’m surprised by the year-on-year growth here. Last year, we saw a 22 percent increase in sales compared to 2023, and this growth is continuing in 2025,” Ikeuchi said. He also highlighted that the ES 300h sedan plays a major role in driving these numbers, contributing over 50 percent of Lexus’ overall sales. Lexus, however did not share its sales numbers but industry sources reveal that it is in the region of 2,800 cars per year, which ranks below all the other luxury car makers in the country.  Customers love hybrids Currently, 90 percent of Lexus mod...

KTM India has revealed on social media that it will be ‘revealing more details’ about the new 390 Adventure S on January 30. However, the company hasn’t specified whether this is going to be a launch or if the specifications of the bike will be out on the given date.  390 Adventure S gets tubeless spoked wheels, adjustable suspension Will debut a new frame and swingarm Likely to be priced in the Rs 3.50 lakh ballpark (ex-showroom) KTM’s new 390 Adventure lineup will have three variants - base X, middle S and the top R. Of these three, the first two are confirmed to be coming to India and KTM’s social media post leads us to believe that the 390 Adventure S will be launched in India on January 30. The bike was first showcased at last year’s IBW festival, although no specifications were revealed. Since the bike has already been showcased previously, we expect that it will be launched on January 30.  What we could deduce from the showcase is that the bike runs on 21/17-inc...

The electric BMW iX5 is set for an international launch in 2026, alongside the fifth-generation X5 with upgraded petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid drivetrains. Additionally, a hydrogen-powered iX5 will join the line-up in 2028, using a powertrain co-developed with Toyota. This version will be followed by new fuel cell variants of existing models by the end of the decade. It’s too early to comment on its launch here, as the hydrogen infrastructure is undeveloped. For reference, BMW India’s current  X5 line-up  consists of petrol and diesel engine options only.  The iX5 FCEV concept was first seen at the 2019 International  Motor Show in Germany It has a WLTP range of 504km  BMW is developing hydrogen technology with Toyota The first pilot of BMW iX5 hydrogen cars, developed over four years, took place in 2023. BMW receives fuel cells from  Toyota , with which it has been working on green technology since 2013. These cells have been hand-assembled and...

Indian Motorcycles has revealed the latest addition to its Chief Cruiser line-up for 2025, the Sport Chief RT, which is the sportiest model. Both models share the same 1890cc V-twin, producing 156Nm Sport Chief is the only model to get a USD fork It features a 3.97-inch TFT display with touch operation Indian Sport Chief RT: What’s new? The Sport Chief RT is an addition to the existing Sport Chief . It features the same Thunderstroke 116ci (1890cc), air-cooled, V-twin engine as other Chief models and produces 156Nm of torque. Interestingly, this is a reduction in torque compared to the Sport Chief, which makes 162Nm.  In addition, the Sport Chief RT is the only motorcycle in its line-up to offer inverted forks up front; these KYB units are non adjustable. It gets twin Fox shocks at the rear, these are remotely adjustable for compression and rebound. It runs on a 19-inch front and 16-inch rear alloy wheel setup wrapped in Metzeler Cruisetec tyres. Braking duties are hand...

Autocar India and Ultraviolette Automotive set an India Book of Records Title for Fastest Speed Achieved by an Indian Motorcycle (EV) with the Ultraviolette F99. Ultraviolette F99 reaches 258kph top speed Becomes the fastest Indian Motorcycle (EV)  Run performed at NATRAX In a groundbreaking achievement that underscores India’s innovation in electric mobility, Autocar India and Ultraviolette Automotive teamed up to set an India Book of Records Title for the Fastest Speed Achieved by an Indian Motorcycle (EV). The record-breaking top speed of 258kph was achieved by the Ultraviolette F99, a revolutionary made-in-India electric motorcycle designed to push the boundaries of speed and technology. This remarkable feat demonstrates the pinnacle of Indian engineering and showcases the potential of electric mobility in redefining performance benchmarks. The Ultraviolette F99 combines cutting-edge aerodynamics, state-of-the-art battery technology, and lightweight construction to de...

A long-standing practice of Autocar India’s long-term fleet has been turned on its head by the MG Comet. For years, we’d run our respective long-termers (usually small cars) on the daily commute and then negotiate with our colleagues (usually Hormazd) to borrow a larger one for an occasional outstation trip. Now, as is the tendency of all cars to become big SUVs of some sort, almost all of us run relatively large cars every day and negotiate for a smaller car for quick errands in Mumbai traffic. In fact, the Comet is now in the Sorabjee household and likely sees more use than any of the fancy luxury cars; go figure! Often mistake my earpods for the key. First things first, a big thanks to MG for actually letting us use the Comet for the long term. It completed a year in the fleet last month, and though it’s no longer in my care, I’ve used it the longest so far, and I have a lot of anecdotes. So, in no particular order, here are some of them: Autocar fleet is now more EV than ICE...

Before I start telling you about this unique-looking bag, I have a confession to make: I have organisational OCD and am a creature of habit. I can’t stand disarray of any sort when it comes to packing my belongings, and the way I pack follows the saying – ‘a place for everything, and everything in its place.’ That’s why the Kriega Sling Pro Messenger Bag fits neatly into my life and has become my go-to bag for nearly everything over the past four months, from daily commutes to weekend trips and even shopping. 14-litre storage available This bag is divided into three main compartments comprising an absolutely waterproof main compartment that holds seven litres, accompanied by two ancillary zippered ones that can hold a total of another seven. While seven litres may sound small, I have been able to fit two boxes containing my office lunch, a couple of t-shirts, and a 1-litre water bottle, with quite some room to spare. Kriega claims you can fit a 14-inch laptop into this compartment...

I own a MY22 Tata Punch Accomplished Dazzle. I want to know if it’s possible to upgrade my 7-inch infotainment to the 10.25-inch one that comes in the 2024 model. What are the pros and cons of upgrading it? Pradeep MS, Bengaluru Autocar India says: While it is possible to replace the 7-inch Harman infotainment system in the 2022 Tata Punch with the new 10.25-inch unit introduced in the Punch 2024 Camo edition, it would require some extensive changes. The installation of the bigger Visteon infotainment system would first require the 2024 model-specific brackets for mounting the screen on the dashboard. It would also require replacing the infotainment unit’s domain controller and wiring harness with that of the facelifted model. You’ll need to source the aforementioned parts from Tata Motors, and we recommend you take the help of your preferred authorised service centre to place the order by looking at their respective part numbers. Since the entire dismantling and replacement task...

In the motorcycling world, the word ‘Daytona’ conjures up imagery of a modern-day icon that outdid its Japanese competition as it won seemingly countless championships in racing classes around the world. The Daytona 660 you see here is Triumph’s replacement to the original 675, but while that was a thoroughbred supersport bike built to dominate the race track, this is a relatively basic road bike that has been built to a budget. Hmm. Triumph Daytona 660: Design and features Kicking off on a positive note, I think Triumph has done well with the design, and in this shade of white, it even pulls off a more modern take on the Daytona vibe. The twin headlamps and sleek-looking fairing are striking, and while the tail section isn’t as sharp and pointy, this is a good-looking bike for sure. However, on a closer look, you’ll notice things you’d never have imagined on a bike with this name. The front brake, for example, uses a basic axial master cylinder and the suspension is completely un...