VR Tech Times

While Aprilia India has largely been focusing on the RS 457 and Tuono 457 of late, the company has dispatched the new SR 175 scooter to certain dealers ahead of its July launch. The new Aprilia SR 175 appears to be a replacement for the SR 160.  Aprilia SR 175 engine more powerful than outgoing SR 160’s motor SR 175 uses a new colour TFT display borrowed from RS 457 India launch will be in July 2025 Aprilia SR 175 more details Uses a newer, more powerful motor and comes with a colour TFT display Powering the SR 175 is a new air-cooled, 174.7cc, 3-valve, single-cylinder motor. Dealer sources state that it the increased capacity has been achieved by a bigger bore and that the new engine makes 12.92hp at 7,200rpm and 14.14Nm at 6,000rpm, which is an increase over the previous SR 160’s 11.27hp at 7,100rpm and 13.44Nm at 5,300rpm.  The other mechanical components such as the frame, suspension, brakes and tyres seem to be the same as the SR 160 , although this is yet to ...

In our industry, there are a few select events that journos like me are willing to negotiate, barter and even fight to attend. This is one of them, and luckily for me, there wasn't much resistance from my colleagues. Why wouldn't anyone want to spend a day driving Porsches at a track? Not that I was complaining. The Porsche World Road Show 2025 worked its way around the globe to India – specifically the Buddh International Circuit in Noida. Media and prospective customers got a chance to experience almost the entire model range under the watchful guidance of instructors from Porsche AG.  Instructors ensured we stayed on our toes. The day began with us being split into groups and assigned an instructor after the briefing sessions. The instructors then gave us a rundown of all the activities lined up and how to best approach them. I started off by driving Porsche's EVs out on track for some hot laps. It's incredible how capable these big, heavy 4-door EVs are on trac...

To build on Innova's strong brand value,  Toyota  launched the Hycross in India about two-and-a-half years ago. Unlike the diesel-only Crysta, it offers both petrol and hybrid powertrains, and its cabin feels noticeably more premium, thanks to its richer features. Currently, the only direct rival to the MPV is its badge-engineered sibling, the Maruti Invicto. Below are three reasons to consider the  Toyota Innova Hycross , and two reasons it might not be the right fit for you. 1. Extremely smooth and fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain ARAI-rated mileage of 23.24kpl. The Innova Hycross hybrid is powered by Toyota's refined 2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, complemented by an electric motor that draws energy from a 1.6kWh battery; transmission duties are handled by an eCVT. By default, the Hycross starts on battery power and calmly potters around, but upon hard acceleration, the petrol mill seamlessly takes charge. Speed build-up is linear, with no sudden surges. Whi...

The Reise name is quite nascent in the Indian biking community. Initially known for their tyres, particularly off-road-centric ones, the brand later forayed into the motorcycle gear space by retailing products from other manufacturers. Now, Reise has launched their own line, and when they offered to provide us with jackets for review, I was particularly pleased to get my hands on the Reise PineAir jacket. After using it for over three months, here’s what I’ve gathered. The front pockets are waterproof and keep items safe during unexpected showers. At a glance, it’s a smart-looking jacket, no doubt. The beige colour certainly has its own appeal in a world dominated by darker riding gear. It features Velcro adjustments on the arms and back to ensure a snug fit. The front pockets, mind you, are waterproof, and after being caught in a few unexpected showers, I can personally vouch for that claim. The PineAir comes with a comprehensive protection package, by which I mean it features ...

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The Skoda Slavia , in its Monte Carlo trim, has really been turning heads. Not because it’s new, but I guess in a jam full of SUVs, a sedan wearing bright red is quite the attention-grabber. Walking up to it makes me happy the moment I see it parked there, knowing that the 1.5 TSI engine will be a delight to drive. Oh, and on a side note, I just realised ‘jam’ would be an apt collective noun for a group of cars. The storage space under the front armrest is nice and deep. So far, I’ve used the Slavia only within the city, but with summer vacations on and traffic appreciably lighter, I’ve actually been able to enjoy clear roads, steady cruising, and decent fuel efficiency, too. I’ve managed an overall figure of about 8.5kpl over this past month – not bad for a petrol automatic in Mumbai, and I haven’t been driving with efficiency in mind. You can only have a dial display of the speedo or tacho, not both together. Rather, it’s been tempting to enjoy the 150hp and 250Nm of torque,...

My family owns a 2016 Skoda Octavia diesel. I have two issues with the car. Firstly, the headlamps do not illuminate the road quite well, especially at night on the highway. The second problem is that the AC is not effective, and we need to use the highest blower setting. What is the fix for these? Aarav Surya, Bengaluru Autocar India says: The 2016 Skoda Octavia comes equipped with bi-xenon projector headlamps, which are sealed-for-life units that require zero maintenance. Here are certain physical measures that can improve the light’s intensity. Firstly, we would advise using the headlamp-levelling switch to properly adjust the beam, as per the driver’s seating position and the load in the vehicle. With the right setting, the headlamp’s throw can significantly improve. Secondly, we would recommend taking the car to a Skoda -authorised service centre to get the ‘vertical beam adjustment’ done, which can be carried out by rotating the beam-adjustment screw located on the back of ...

This is THE motorcycle I’ve been the most enamoured with this year. So much so that I wanted to own one myself. But before I could replace my temperamental, 10-year-old KTM 390 Duke with it (I know it’s quite the contrast, but that’s the age for you), I was keen on spending some quality seat time on the Goan Classic 350. So, I volunteered to take some time off from my usual four-wheeled duties for this story. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to this despite the inclement weather in Mumbai.  The vibrant colours are in line with the Goan’s vibe The Goan had already made an impression before I’d even seen it in the metal. The bike was dropped off at my place, and I was surprised to get a call from my usually oblivious mom, asking me questions like: What bike is that? How much does it cost? What is that colour called? That’s how I know the Goan Classic has absolutely nailed the looks department – it appeals to all ages and genders. The classic rounded fenders, the b...

The automotive industry has had quite a week, from news about government policy on small cars and two wheelers , to new car and bike launches. We take a quick look at the highlights of the week that was. New car launches Tata Harrier EV While the entry-level Harrier EV’s price was revealed early this month, Tata has now revealed the full price list of its flagship electric SUV. The Tata Harrier EV’s price range is Rs 21.49 lakh-28.99 lakh , not inclusive of the cost of a fast charger and installation. Crash test results for the Mahindra XEV 9e rival were also announced; the Harrier EV scored a full 5-star BNCAP safety rating. Mahindra Scorpio N with ADAS The Mahindra Scorpio N now gets a Level 2 ADAS suite . Available only on the top-spec Z8L variant, prices for the Scorpio N with ADAS range between Rs 21.35 lakh-25.42 lakh. Mahindra has also launched a Scorpio N Z8T variant positioned above the Z8, but below the ADAS-equipped Z8L.  Audi Q7 Signature Edition Audi lau...

BMW Motorrad has teased the updated CE 04 on its official social media handle and it seems like it will be getting an update or at least a mild refresh with some new colours soon. The updated CE 04 will debut on July 5.  BMW CE 04 teased with a matte blue colour scheme It gets an 8.5kWh battery pack with a claimed range of 130kms   BMW CE 04 gets a liquid-cooled motor The CE 04 is a quirky looking, urban mobility vehicle with a range of 130km. Globally launched in 2022, the BMW CE 04 is now in its third model year overseas. BMW has now teased the updated CE 04 with an image showing its side panel featuring the model’s badging. However, it’s tough to say if this would be a design update or just a splash of new colours.    The teaser image does reveal a new paint scheme—matte blue with fluorescent accents. The current BMW CE 04 is powered by an 8.5kWh battery, offering a claimed range of 130km. It uses a liquid-cooled permanent magnet motor—something quite ...