VR Tech Times

Citroen’s India journey has been anything but smooth. Despite an SUV-only portfolio in both the premium and mass segments, the French manufacturer struggled to find its footing here. While lack of brand awareness and limited dealer presence hurt, it was poor product planning that really dented Citroen’s early efforts to connect with mainstream Indian buyers. Its cars – while dynamically competent and refreshingly different in design – were too minimalistic and simply not aspirational enough. To its credit, Citroen hasn’t thrown in the towel. Instead, the company has gone back to the drawing board, taking feedback from customers, dealers and the media very seriously. It’s now in the middle of what could be described as a strategic reboot. Now rebranded under the ‘X’ range, the new Citroen models promise more upmarket interiors, richer equipment lists and more competitive pricing to boot. Beginning this renewed push is the Basalt X , the most distinctive model in Citroen’s India line...

The TVS Ntorq 150 is the brand's largest ICE scooter to date, and also happens to be the most affordable scooter in the 150cc segment. If you're considering buying one, here are three reasons it's worth considering, and two reasons it might not be the scooter for you. Reasons to buy the TVS Ntorq 150 Punchy performance and refined engine The Ntorq 150 is powered by an air-cooled engine and is a thoroughly impressive unit that packs real punch without sacrificing refinement. While it may not be the most powerful in its class on paper, it delivers the highest torque figure at 14.2Nm, and crucially, this torque arrives low in the rev band. Getting to 80kph feels effortless, and even jumping from 30-40kph to highway speeds happens quicker than you’d expect. The motor also delivers a playful, throaty note that gives the scooter plenty of personality. Comfortable and handles well TVS has struck a great balance between handling and comfort with the Ntorq 150. While it isn’t...

The Ather 450 Apex is the most evolved and advanced version of the 450X. We recently got to experience it in its 2025 avatar with new features that are a part of the Ather Stack 7.0 update. Ather 450X Apex styling and design - 9/10 The orange and blue colour scheme surely makes the scooter stand out in a crowd The Ather 450 Apex looks familiar yet fresh. It retains the compact, sharp silhouette of the 450X, but gets a few distinct elements that set it apart. The orange wheels and transparent side panels are an especially neat touch, with the latter revealing the bright orange trellis frame underneath. It gives the scooter a technical, concept-like vibe. This year also marks 10 years of the Ather brand, so the scooter is sporting 10-year anniversary stickers, making it a special edition. The Indium Blue paint scheme is surely a head turner and gives it a unique and premium look and feel. Weight and dimensions Seat height 780mm Kerb weight 111.6kg Ground clear...

Plenty has already been said about how the new GST structure for bikes above 350cc is a roadblock for Indian manufacturers’ aspirations on a global scale. Regulation that taxes bikes over that engine size at 40 percent (vs 18 percent for sub-350cc) means Indian manufacturers will be re-evaluating their premium bike strategies. However, having just got back from EICMA 2025 , I can’t help wondering if tax isn’t the only thing they have to worry about. What I’m talking about is the wave of Chinese manufacturers and/or Chinese-made motorcycles that were spread across the show. There were literally dozens of brands, some of them already well known/established and others that I’d never seen before. Mind you, these were not the sort of cheap and not-so-cheerful products one normally assumes (there were plenty of those too), but large and premium-looking motorcycles. It was difficult to keep track of the sheer number of multi-cylinder cruisers, roadsters and ADVs on display. It’s also not ...

Along with unveiling the new Sierra, Tata Motors also showcased the new platform on which the SUV is built. Called the All-Terrain Ready, Omni-Energy and Geometry Scalable Architecture (ARGOS) platform, it not only underpins the Sierra but will also underpin future models in its lineup. Here’s everything you need to know about the platform Where does ARGOS fit in Tata's platform strategy? The ARGOS platform sits between the ATLAS platform, which underpins SUVs like the Curvv (ICE and EV), and the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) derived OMEGA ARC platform that underpins the Harrier and Safari SUVs. Essentially, this platform can be used to develop Tata SUVs with a length between 4.3m to 4.6m. Tata claims that ARGOS has been developed for enhancing its overall dimensions and bringing it on par with SUVs in its class and a class above. In its class, the SUV gets the biggest height and width at 1715mm and 1841mm respectively, and it gets the longest wheelbase and ground clearance at 2730mm...

Features that were once limited to high-end luxury models are now showing up in everyday, affordable cars , increasing our expectations from this segment. Some focus on safety, while others enhance passenger comfort more. Here are five such features that have now moved to mass-market models. Head-up display A head-up display is now offered in cars like the Maruti Baleno , Maruti Brezza , Toyota Hyryder and Tata Sierra . With roots in aviation, a heads-up display shows information in the driver’s line of sight on the windscreen or a transparent panel, so that visibility remains unaffected.  Ventilated seats Models like the Renault Kiger , Skoda Kylaq and Maruti XL6 offer front ventilated seats, while the Kia Syros takes it further with rear ventilated seats and a reclining function. To enhance passenger comfort, cars like the Tata Sierra and Mahindra XEV 9S even offer Boss Mode, which lets you adjust the front passenger seat to free up space at the back, while models ...

100cc commuter bikes are slowly but surely releasing their iron-fisted grip on the two-wheeler market. But even with all the ‘premium’ products chipping away, they still make up a huge piece of the pie. Durability, frugality and affordability are still highly valued, and that’s why the 100cc bike still reigns supreme. The latest one from Honda is the familiar-looking Shine 100 DX, the suffix signifying that this is the more premium version. To refresh your memory, the DX gets some noteworthy changes over the base Shine 100, such as a larger 10-litre fuel tank (up by 1L), tubeless tyres, a digital display, a blacked-out finish on the engine, four new colours and a chrome garnish atop the headlight, just like you’ll see on the bigger Shine 125. These changes have resulted in a 4kg weight gain over the base Shine 100, but the DX still comes in at a lightweight 103kg. Fun fact: that’s 9 kilos less than the runaway success that is the Hero Splendor. Large font is quite legible on-the-go...

TVS and BMW Motorrad have crossed a major milestone, surpassing 2 lakh units produced under their strategic partnership that began in 2013. The achievement coincides with the start of production for the latest motorcycle to emerge from this collaboration, the BMW F 450 GS, at the TVS Hosur plant. Partnership has produced 2 lakh units since 2013 BMW F 450 GS production begins at TVS Hosur plant TVS–BMW partnership Previous products included the BMW G 310 R, G 310 GS, and G 310 RR Over the years, the partnership has delivered models such as the BMW G 310 R, G 310 GS, and G 310 RR – motorcycles BMW says have become important contributors to its global growth. All these models are manufactured at TVS Motor’s Hosur facility, which is also where production of the upcoming BMW F 450 GS has now commenced. The production-spec F 450 GS made its global debut at EICMA 2025 and will serve as the new entry point into BMW’s GS lineup following the discontinuation of the G 310 GS. It is power...

from Autocar India https://ift.tt/CT1Rfb4

The Indie is an utility-maximising scooter with ‘function over form’ being the mantra it follows. It comes from a Bengaluru-based startup - River - that likes to call it the ‘SUV’ of EV scooters. Here are a few things to know before you zero down on the River Indie  1. What is the battery capacity of the River Indie? The River Indie has a 4kWh battery capacity that is good enough to provide a real-world range of 90km, with a mix of spirited and sedate riding.  2. What is the peak output of the River Indie? The River Indie has a peak output of 6.7kW and 26Nm. 3. What is the total storage capacity of the River Indie? The River Indie is called the ‘SUV’ of scooters and fittingly enough, it features a spacious 43-litres of underseat storage - best among any EV currently on the market. Along with lockable 12-litres of storage in the front-apron. If all this storage isn’t sufficient, River will also sell you a set of panniers and top-box. 4. Does the River Indie ride...

from Autocar India https://ift.tt/JiTzmVZ

Mahindra has launched the XEV 9S three-row SUV with introductory prices starting at Rs 19.95 lakh (ex-showroom) for the entry-level Pack One Above variant. Interestingly, prices for the XEV 9S, which is the first dedicated 7-seater mass market electric SUV, start Rs 1.95 lakh lower than the XEV 9e, with which is shares its INGLO platform. XEV 9S bookings will open on January 14 next year, with deliveries scheduled for January 23, 2026. However, the brand says test drive units will be available at its delaerships from December 5 onwards. Prices of the XEV 9S start at Rs 19.95 (ex-showroom) XEV 9S gets 20 inch alloys, 527-litre boot and 150-litre frunk XEV 9S gets 59kWh, 70kWh and 79kWh battery options; ARAI range up to 679km Mahindra XEV 9S exterior design and dimensions Design language is closer to the XEV 9e and not as radical as the BE 6 The XEV 9S borrows several design cues from the Mahindra XEV 9e and the XUV.e8 concept that was unveiled in 2022 . It has a clean and m...