VR Tech Times

TVS is gearing up to update the Apache RTR 160 2V and the Apache RTR 180 models, as per a teaser on the company’s social media. Both of these models are quite old and have only seen incremental and emission-compliance related changes over the many years they have been on sale. Apache 160 was first launched in 2007, 180 came in 2009 Both models enjoy strong demand in certain regions of India TVS Apache RTR 160 2V and Apache 180 to be updated soon Engine and underpinnings of both bikes are now well over a decade old Of late, TVS has been updating its model range to comply with the latest OBD-2B emission norms and also peppering the bikes with some updates in the process. The Apache RR 310 and more recently, the Apache RTR 200 4V were updated in a similar fashion. In particular, the Apache 200 was endowed with a new 37mm gold-finish USD fork.  We believe that TVS is gearing up to update its duo of ‘old guard’ Apache models - the 160 2V and 180 - in a similar manner. It re...

Launched back in 2004, the Honda Unicorn has been a hardy workhorse for over two decades. While it has received functional and emission related updates over the years, its form and design have remained unchanged. Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions you might have about this trusty commuter. Does the Honda Unicorn get ABS? Yes, the Honda Unicorn does get ABS. However, it only gets a single-channel ABS as it has a drum brake at the rear. Does the Honda Unicorn get an LED headlight? Yes, Honda recently updated the Unicorn with an LED headlight and an LCD dash. However, the overall design for the headlight remains unchanged. Does the Honda Unicorn get tubeless/alloy wheels? The Honda Unicorn was launched back in 2004, back then it came with traditional spoke wheels like most commuters. However, the Unicorn now gets alloy wheels enabling it to run tubeless tyres. What is the claimed mileage of the Honda Unicorn? While we haven’t gotten a chance to put the Un...

Launched at the Auto Expo 2025 as a replacement for the standard iX1, the  BMW iX1 LWB  marks the entry point to the brand's all-electric lineup in India. Not only has  BMW  priced the iX1 LWB lower than its ICE siblings, but it also happens to be more accessible than most rivals. Speaking of competition, the iX1 LWB goes up against the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, BYD Sealion 7, Mini Countryman Electric, Volvo EX40, Kia EV6, and Mercedes EQA. Below are three reasons why the BMW iX1 makes more sense among this sea of rivals, and two reasons why you might be better off with one of the others. 1. One of the most affordable among rivals Costs Rs 18.2 lakh less than the Mercedes EQA The iX1 LWB is BMW's first EV in India to be locally assembled, allowing the brand to price it aggressively at Rs 49 lakh. It's worth noting that this is an introductory price, valid for six months from its January launch. The iX1 LWB is more affordable than the respective petrol and di...

As he has done multiple times before this season, Marc Marquez has emerged victorious at the 2025 Italian GP. He has disrupted Francesco Bagnaia’s win streak here and scored his 93rd victory from his 100th pole position. Alex Marquez finished second and Fabio Di Giannantonio overtook Bagnaia on the second last lap to finish on the last step of the podium.  Marc’s victory disrupts Bagnaia’s undefeated Mugello winning streak Bagnaia now 110 points behind Marc in the standings Alex Marquez has finished P2 thirteen times so far this season Marquez-Bagnaia have heated battle in opening laps Bagnaia was unable to match the Marquez brothers’ pace over race distance Unlike the Sprint race, where Marc didn’t get a perfect start and dropped down to P8, the main race saw the elder Marquez brother get a superb launch from pole position. However, for the first five laps, Marquez and his teammate Bagnaia were engaged in a fierce battle for the race lead. These few opening laps gave fans...

The Verna  has always been a refined, comfortable, well-priced, and feature-packed midsize sedan. The latest-gen Verna introduced in 2023 imbibes all of those qualities and wraps them up in a cutting-edge package that outpaces rivals like the Volkswagen Virtus , Skoda Slavia  and Honda City in many ways, but it falls short in some. Listed below are three reasons why you should strongly consider buying a Verna, and two reasons why you may be better off with one of its competitors. 1. Competitively priced Second-most affordable base and top-spec variants Price is an exceptionally important factor for Indian car buyers, and the Verna does quite well on this front. At Rs 11.07 lakh, the Verna has the second-lowest starting price among its rivals, falling behind only the Slavia’s Rs 10.49 lakh starting price. This is reflected in the range-topping trims as well, with the Verna’s SX(O) Turbo DCT variant coming in at Rs 17.58 lakh, second only to the City’s Rs 16.73 lakh price...

Triumph’s Speed T4 and Royal Enfield Hunter 350 are two of the most accessible retro roadsters you can buy from their respective manufacturers. While they differ in performance and character, both are aimed at riders looking for style, approachability and decent everyday usability. We've put both bikes through our real-world city and highway efficiency tests to find out which one sips fuel more efficiently. Triumph Speed T4’s 398cc engine produces 31hp and 36Nm Hunter 350 has a total output of 20.2hp and 27Nm Triumph Speed T4 vs Royal Enfield Hunter 350 real world fuel efficiency test Triumph Speed T4 milage is 35.50kpl Despite the sizeable difference in performance and output, the Speed T4 performs better in city conditions with respectable figure of 32.15kpl. Meanwhile out on the highway the T4 manages to impress yet again with a fuel efficiency figure of 38.86kpl. Combined we get an average figure of 35.50kpl which is quite close to its rival.  RE Hunter 350 is more eff...

Mahindra ’s radical BE 6 electric SUV is priced between Rs 19.65 lakh to Rs 27.65 lakh and it comes with two battery options: a 59kWh unit and a larger 79kWh unit. We’ve now subjected the BE 6 Pack Three 79kWh version to our real-world range test and the results are as follows. BE 6 79kWh has a claimed ARAI range of 682km Tests were conducted in the most efficient ‘Range’ mode BE 6 79kWh version weighs 2515kg Mahindra BE 6 real world range Both BE 6 versions are powered by a rear-mounted electric motor producing 380Nm of torque. However, the motor delivers a higher 286hp with the 79kWh battery and 231hp with the 59kWh version. The ARAI-rated range with the 59kWh version is 535km, while the 79kWh version is said to do up to 682km. The BE 6 returned an efficiency of 5.55km/kWh.  For our test, we kept the BE 6 in its most efficient ‘Range’ drive mode, with the regenerative braking set to Level 1 on the highway and Level 3 in the city. In our city test cycle, the Mahi...

My uncle is in the market for a new car and being a Honda loyalist, the Elevate CVT was his first choice. A few days ago, he checked out MG Astor, and really loved it. Even though he is keen to go for the MG, he is confused why this car doesn't sell more. Prasad Dongare, Nashik Autocar India says:   The MG Astor stands out for its premium cabin, solid build quality, and smooth, relaxed driving experience. MG has also recently updated the Astor with features like ventilated front seats and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, in addition to a panoramic sunroof, that give it an edge over the Honda Elevate in terms of equipment. That said, there are a few reasons why it doesn’t sell in bigger numbers. While its 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a CVT is ideal for easy-going city driving, it’s not as responsive as the Elevate’s setup, which feels a bit more energetic. More importantly, many Astor owners report poor city fuel efficiency—often in single digits. Although the Elevate C...

Dear reader, I’m overjoyed to announce I’ve recently become a dad. Life has changed in so many ways (I’ve never valued a power nap as much as I do now!), and to an extent, so has the way I look at cars. I have become ever more mindful of the smallest of things that could make my little one’s car rides comfier. ISOFIX child seat anchors are a bit tough to find underneath the seat cushioning. Of course, step one was to get the child seat in order. The Hyundai Creta N Line I’ve been using gets ISOFIX child seat anchors to lock the seat firmly in place, but they’re tucked behind the cushioning and need a bit of poking around to locate. This is not a biggie for an average user who’d keep the seat in place for months at a stretch, but I have to keep removing and re-attaching the seat whenever there’s a new car I have to test. Thankfully, my daughter has taken well to the car seat and, as my wife reports from the back seat, enjoys her drives. Option to pre-cool the Creta using the pho...

Explosive performance at an accessible price – these words instantly bring a certain orange machine to mind. Since 2013, the KTM 390 Duke has dominated its class, and every single rival that has gone up against the Duke has retreated with its tail tucked between its legs. But today, the Duke will have to deal with its toughest challenge yet posed by the Aprilia Tuono 457. KTM 390 Duke vs Aprilia Tuono 457 design and ergonomics Both have sharp designs and can feel tight for taller folks With some bikes, just a glance is enough to tell you what they are meant to do, and the designs of these two machines are true to their function. Neither is classically good-looking, and both are aggressively styled, although in its latest avatar, the 390 might be too aggressive for some.  The rider’s triangle is the first difference you’ll notice, and while both are reasonably comfortable, on the Aprilia, there is a bit of a forward reach to the handlebar, whereas you’re almost bolt upright on ...

Which is better - Skoda Kylaq Prestige AT or Kia Syros HTK+ Turbo DCT? I'm looking to replace my 2009 Hyundai i20, and I use the car only for weekend drives, and twice a year we go on a 2,000km round trip with family. Anand Male, Nizamabad Autocar India says: The Skoda Kylaq is more fun-to-drive and infuses a lot more driver confidence, especially on the highway. However, as a family car, the Kia Syros fares better, thanks to its roomier cabin and more equipment. You are likely to appreciate its overall smoothness and refinement too. Do keep in mind that neither are very fuel efficient - in our tests, the Syros DCT returned 8.30kpl and 11.50kpl in the city and highway respectively, whereas the Kylaq AT was slightly better returning 8.70/13.36 kpl respectively. If its fuel efficiency isn't a deal breaker for you since your usage is limited, the Syros DCT is the better option. Also See: Kia Syros review: Ace of Space Kia Syros video review Skoda Kylaq review: Familiar y...

Driving and music go together like hot chai on a rainy day. This World Music Day, we take look at the most affordable cars, those priced under Rs 25 lakh, which come with a branded speaker system. Carmakers like Mahindra , Tata Motors , Hyundai , Kia and MG Motors offer a number of models in this price bracket with a branded music system, representing every body style, from MPVs, SUVs and coupe-SUVs to hatchbacks and sedans. 1. Hyundai i20 Rs 9.38 lakh; Bose system The top-spec Hyundai i20 Asta and Asta(O)  variants, priced from Rs 9.38 lakh onwards, get a Bose system that consists of 4 speakers, 2 tweeters and 1 subwoofer. This makes the i20 the most affordable car on sale in India right now with a branded speaker system. The top-spec i20 N Line N8 (Rs 11.31 lakh onwards), also gets the same setup. 2. Mahindra XUV 3XO Rs 12.80 lakh; Harman Kardon system The Mahindra XUV 3XO gets a Harmon Kardon speaker system consisting of 6 speakers, 1 amplifier and a subwoofer on th...