VR Tech Times

Hydrogen fuel cell projects continue to grow, along with interest in using them to power commercial vehicles and, particularly, heavy trucks. One such is the new Renault Master H2-Tech Prototype shown at the recent IAA Transportation show in Hanover. The Master has been developed by the Hyvia joint venture between Renault and US fuel cell specialist Plug. As part of the project, Hyvia has also developed hydrogen fuel cell stations that are being rolled out across Europe. The significance of the project to car drivers is that commercial hydrogen fuel cell fleets have long been seen as the way to grow a hydrogen refuelling network. Hyvia’s ‘Hywell’ filling stations are clever because they are “containerised and relocatable”, making them relatively easy to set up, with minimum engineering involved. One station can supply 100kg of hydrogen a day, which is enough for more than 20 vehicles. The Master H2-Tech Prototype has a WLTP range of 700km and can be refuelled as quickly as a petrol ...

What is the waiting period for the new Thar Roxx diesel automatic? Nakul, Pune Autocar India says: Waiting period for the Thar Roxx depends on the drivetrain, colour and fuel type. The diesel automatic 4x2 has a waiting period of around a year, while the 4x4 diesel automatic with the ivory interior can be had sooner as there have been some cancellations. Diesel 4x4 automatic with mocha interior also has a waiting for around 8-9 months. This is a ballpark figure and varies depending on the dealer, location and amount of cancellations. Also See: Mahindra Thar Roxx review: An SUV that does it all? Mahindra Thar Roxx video review Mahindra Thar Roxx vs rivals: dimensions, specs and prices compared Mahindra Thar Roxx: Your questions answered from Autocar India https://ift.tt/bSBAtyE

I’ve been using Raida’s flagship mesh jacket for the past two months and even had the experience of taking it with me for a rather long road trip across Gujarat. Raida’s Frigate offers a sleek option for motorcyclists looking for a blend of style, safety and practicality without breaking the bank. This jacket is available in three colours, and I picked the grey one because I liked the contemporary and sophisticated look. While I am a fan of the subtle grey, the addition of fluorescent green contrasts could have been better executed.   But the aesthetics don’t exactly wow me, and I’ve seen better-designed products from other Indian brands. While design is subjective, this one is a refreshing alternative to traditional black or darker riding jackets, enhancing visibility without compromising style. It is worth noting that in this shade of grey, it is a dirt magnet that stains quite easily. With purchase, Raida includes a thermal liner and an external rain jacket, which are nice ...

Early last year, Royal Enfield had launched the Military Silver variant of the Bullet 350, priced at Rs 1.79 lakh. Now, that variant has been taken down from the website, likely because it has been replaced by the Battalion Black variant.  Bullet 350 prices start at Rs 1.74 lakh Battalion Black variant now takes its place  Military Silver was mechanically identical to the base Military variant  Royal Enfield’s Bullet 350 has a strong cult following in certain parts of the country, especially up North. The prospective Bullet customer wants their bike to look, well, like a Bullet of yesteryear. The Battalion Black variant is a reflection of that unwavering market demand, sporting black bodywork with golden hand-painted pinstripes, a scooped-out seat and the trademark Bullet tail lamp.  When the Bullet 350 was launched it came in 3 variants - Military, Standard and Black Gold. A few months down the line, it gained the Military Silver variant , which offered yo...

Hyundai Motor India saw tepid demand in the domestic market in 2024. The company sold 6,05,429 units in the country, a marginal increase from 6,02,111 units in 2023. Yet, it achieved its highest-ever yearly volumes in India, making 2024 the third consecutive year of record-breaking sales. SUVs comprise the bulk of these sales, and unsurprisingly, the Creta led this charge with a record 1,86,919 units sold during the year, accounting for 31 percent of the company’s overall sales. Hyundai Motor India sold 6.05 lakh units in 2024 The Creta accounted for 31 percent of Hyundai’s sales The upcoming Creta EV will likely add to those numbers Creta average monthly sales at 15,576 units The SUV segment continued to drive Hyundai’s growth story in India, contributing an impressive 67.6 percent to the brand’s domestic sales – the highest-ever yearly SUV contribution. The rapid pace of demand for the Creta facelift has meant that it cruised to 1,00,000-unit sales in just six months, ma...

Of the the total 1.94 million EVs sold across vehicle segments in India in 2024 (up 27 percent YoY), electric two-wheelers accounted for 1.14 million units (11,48,415) or 59 percent recording strong double-digit growth of 33 percent (CY2023: 8,60,418 units, up 36 percent YoY). Other than the last month of the year, retail sales of electric scooters and motorcycles maintained their strong double-digit growth throughout CY2024.  In a field comprising 220 players – up from 180 in 2023 – there are four OEMs which controlled the lion’s share of the market in 2024. Ola Electric, TVS Motor Co, Bajaj Auto and Ather Energy have all registered six-figure sales and also their own individual best-ever annual performances. The combined sales of this quartet add up to 9,47,623 units, which constitutes 82 percent of India’s total e-two-wheeler sales.  Here’s taking a closer look at the top six OEMs who were the movers and shakers of the Indian e-two-wheeler industry in CY2024. Ola Electr...

The Kia Syros SUV is now open for bookings ahead of its price announcement on February 1. Booking amount for the Syros is Rs 25,000 and customers can reserve their SUV online on the Kia India website or at the showrooms.   Syros deliveries to start by mid-Feb Customer test drives likely to start by end Jan Gets petrol and diesel engine options Kia Syros test drives to start early next month The Syros will make its first public appearance on January 17 at the Bharat Mobility Show in New Delhi. It will start reaching local Kia dealerships in the last week of January or by early February, just around its launch date. Dealers tell us that customer test drives will also commence around the same time. Deliveries for the Syros are expected to start by mid February. Kia Syros aims at practicality in a compact footprint At the global debut of the Syros, Kia India’s MD and CEO, Gwanggu Lee, emphasized the importance of cabin room over exterior aesthetics. The Syros measures less ...

Five years after it was launched in January 2020, the Bajaj Chetak has taken the No. 1 electric two-wheeler title in a single month for the first time in December 2024. Bajaj Auto: 18,276 units  The Chetak’s retail sales of 18,276 units translate to a market share of 25 percent specific to the 73,316 e-two-wheelers sold in India in the last month of CY2024. In the process, Bajaj Auto clocked cumulative sales of 1,93,439 units, up 169 percent YoY in CY2024, missing the 2 lakh units sales milestone by 6,561 units.  While Bajaj dominated monthly sales, when it comes to cumulative yearly sales, with 1,93,439 units it stays put at No. 3 position. Ola Electric, being the first Indian EV maker to surpass 4 lakh unit sales in a calendar year, is way ahead with 4,07,547 units and TVS Motor Co, which sold 2,20,472 iQubes, is also ahead of Pune-based Bajaj albeit the sales gap between the iQube and Chetak has reduced substantially from 94,639 units in CY2023 to 27,033 units in CY20...

During the previous year, Mahindra was quite busy bringing out the facelift for the XUV300, now called the XUV 3XO, and then launching perhaps its most anticipated model in recent years, the 5-door Thar Roxx. The SUV specialist also revealed the first born EVs based on the INGLO platform, the BE 6e and the XEV 9e, in 2024. The e-SUV onslaught is expected to continue into this year for Mahindra. Mahindra BE 6e   While Mahindra did announce a starting price for the BE 6e (Rs 18.90 lakh), the complete price range will be revealed this month (expected to top out at Rs 25 lakh), while deliveries will commence towards the end of February. Apart from the radical design, the BE 6e’s highlights include a 79kWh battery with 682km ARAI range, 281hp and 380Nm, and a claimed 0-100kph sprint time of 6.7 seconds. As our BE 6e review showed, the concept-car like interiors do look and feel space-age but cabin ergonomics could be better and the infotainment isn’t intuitive to use. The entry-le...

The Crossfire 500 X is a retro-style motorcycle that embodies a mix of vintage aesthetics and modern engineering. It’s positioned as a middleweight bike, aimed at riders who want a stylish, versatile, and performance-oriented machine. Does this Austrian motorcycle have the credentials to carve its niche in the sub 500cc segment? Unfortunately, we were only allowed a glimpse at its performance inside the confines of a private property. Here’s what we discovered.  Brixton Crossfire 500 X design and features Its bold “X” tank design, which has become a signature of the Brixton line-up, tends to stand out. The minimalistic approach to bodywork, paired with LED lighting, gives it a contemporary touch while retaining the retro vibe. The Crossfire 500 X gets a long single-piece seat that felt adequately comfortable during my short stint. Its scrambler styled riding seat has a relatively accessible seat height of 795mm.  A rather budget-looking speedo The bike uses a monotone...

The year 2024 has been quite eventful for the auto industry. From the inaugural Bharat Mobility Global Expo and ground-breaking infrastructure projects to us breaking Guinness records and the industry losing a titan, there have been both highs and lows in the past 12 months. So, here’s a quick summary of all the highlights from this year that defined the automotive industry. Vinfast announced India entry plans M K Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu with senior representatives from the State government and the VinFast India leadership team at the ground-breaking ceremony of its integrated EV plant.  At the start of the year, Vietnamese EV marker VinFast signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government to set up a manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of up to 1.5 lakh units per year in the state. VinFast said it plans to invest USD 500 million (around Rs 425 crore) in the project’s first phase, which spans five years from the commencement date. T...

I'm looking to replace my 2014 Honda City with a luxury sedan priced between Rs 60-70 lakh. I have shortlisted the BMW 330Li, Toyota Camry Hybrid and Mercedes-Benz C 200, but Audi is offering a mouth-watering discount on the A6. Should I buy that instead? Nishant Raut, Mumbai Autocar India says: Do keep in mind that the Audi A6 is closer to the end of its life cycle, and as a result certain features, especially its infotainment system, feel too dated. Also, it isn't as exciting to drive as a BMW 330Li, and won't be as efficient as the new Toyota Camry Hybrid nor as feature-packed. But if that is something you can live with, the A6 sits in a segment above compared to all the cars you've listed, particularly in terms of space and comfort. Cabin quality is top-notch, and the A6 delivers a luxurious drive experience, thanks to a pillowy soft suspension and a smooth turbo-petrol engine. Since you're getting a handsome discount on it, go ahead with the Audi A6.  Also...

Triumph Motorcycles has introduced two exclusive limited-edition models of its Rocket 3 R and GT motorcycles, commemorating the legendary stuntman Evel Knievel.  Pays tribute to the partnership between Triumph and Evel Knievel Only 500 units for the entire world Triumph Rocket 3 Evel Knievel edition details The partnership between Triumph and Evel Knievel dates back to the 1960s, when Knievel first performed stunts on Triumph bikes, including his famous jump over the fountains at Caesars Palace. The bike adorns a design inspired by Knievel’s iconic white jumpsuit, adorned with stars and stripes. Although the Rocket would not have been the bike of choice for Knievel owing to its heavy weight.  The Rocket 3 R and GT Evel Knievel Limited Editions feature full chrome fuel tanks, reflecting the stuntman’s signature aesthetic. The bold design includes contrasting matte Sapphire Black panels and matching rear bodywork, while the leather seats are embossed with Knievel’s ...