VR Tech Times

The 160 Duke came in as a replacement for the erstwhile 125 Duke, and we were also expecting an RC iteration of the 160 Duke. Now an image of the RC160 has surfaced on the internet. Here’s a breakdown of all the things we see. 1. RC 160 features similar livery as the RC 200 2. It will share its engine and fundamentals with the 160 Duke 3.The 160 Duke engine produces 19hp and 15.5Nm KTM RC 160 leaked: What to expect? The RC 160 will rival the Yamaha R15 A right side-profile shot of the RC 160 has surfaced online, when compared to the RC 200 that’s on sale, it has a few subtle differences but there are also a lot of similarities. Starting with the livery, it looks nearly identical to the RC 200’s Black colour. Even the headlight and taillight have been plucked right off the RC 200. Talking about the differences, It gets a rear tyre-hugger, a shorter rear number plate holder, a pillion grab rail. The chassis, suspension and tank looks similar but there are a few engine difference...

2025 has been a wonderful year not only for the Indian automotive space but also for us at Autocar India. This year, we had the opportunity to be part of the record books again, while also experiencing a 50,000cc monster truck, as well as organising a 300kph NATRAX run with 12 supercars. Here’s a list of 5 things that stood out for us in 2025: Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV marked itself in the Guinness World Record Book It set a Guinness World record with a temperature variation of 51.2°C The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is the German manufacturer’s flagship e-SUV, initially launched in September 2024 as the SUV version of the EQS saloon . While we had already set a Guinness World Record Title with the sedan in 2024 , in 2025, we bagged the ‘Greatest Temperature Change achieved by an Electric Production Car’ title with the EQS SUV. The record run was conducted from Ranao in Rajasthan to Khardung La in Ladakh, which saw temperatures ranging from a scorching 47.5°C to a spine-chilling -3.7°C. ...

With the new year just around the corner, automakers are busy planning car launches for January 2026. At the forefront are homegrown brands Mahindra and Tata Motors, with the latter set to launch four models (including an EV ). We are also expecting the launch of Maruti Suzuki’s first-ever EV, while Kia’s top-selling midsize SUV will hit showrooms after undergoing a generational update. Nissan and Renault are set to reveal a new model each in January 2026 – the latter reviving a popular nameplate after nearly four years. New Kia Seltos January 2 With customer bookings ongoing, the official launch of the new Kia Seltos will happen in January 2026. Based on the Korean brand’s new K3 platform, the next generation of Kia ’s top-selling midsize SUV retains its predecessor’s naturally-aspirated, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engine options. However, the new Seltos boasts an improved ride quality, an all-new exterior and interior look, and a set of new features that include updated dig...

The year saw record sales milestones, long-awaited brand revivals, major acquisitions and important policy changes. Here is a list of the important happenings in the two-wheeler industry in 2025: Royal Enfield Hits a Historic Million Royal Enfield surpassed a historic 1 million annual sales milestone for the financial year ending March 31, 2025, the highest-ever in its history. The company posted sales of 1.09 Million units, up 11% from FY 2023-24. Exports over the year also climbed to an all-time high of 1,07,143. Norton Comes Back To Life Norton Motorcycles, which was acquired by TVS in 2020 , will debut its all-new range of bikes across global markets, including Europe, the US, Asia and India in the first half of this year. Our market will play a significant role and the company plans to retail the full line-up here as well. The models unveiled so far include the Manx, Manx R, Atlas and Atlas GT, and a new 450 single cylinder platform is expected to be showcased later in 2026....

A series of strategic government interventions and significant industry milestones defined India’s automotive narrative in 2025. Policy moves – ranging from fuel mandates to tax restructuring – reshaped vehicle pricing and manufacturer strategies, while the market itself celebrated the enduring legacies of its most popular nameplates. This recap focuses on the pivotal changes, events and records that mattered most to everyday buyers. Budget opens select doors The Union Budget presented on February 1 included a reduction in import duty on motorcycles with an engine capacity below 1,600cc from 100 percent to 50 percent for completely built units, semi-knocked down units and completely knocked down units. Additionally, the budget exempted customs duties on lithium-ion battery cells, cathode materials and battery management systems, as well as on waste and scrap of battery parts and critical minerals. The government also fully exempted basic customs duty on 35 additional capital good...

The 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S is here and it carries forward all the core mechanicals from the previous model, with the key update being E20 fuel compatibility. 649cc parallel-twin engine makes 61hp and 61Nm Available in a new Metallic Flat Spark Black colour 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S price and details Vulcan S gets E20 compliance and a new colour for 2026 The Vulcan S continues to be powered by the same 649cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine. While peak power remains unchanged at 61hp at 7,500rpm, peak torque has dropped slightly by 1.4Nm to 61Nm at 6,600rpm. More importantly, the engine has now been updated to meet E20 fuel compatibility norms. The rest of the motorcycle remains largely unchanged for 2026. Suspension duties are handled by a 41mm telescopic fork at the front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear, while braking hardware includes a 300mm front disc and a 250mm rear disc, supported by dual-channel ABS. Key dimensions such as the 705mm seat height and 130mm ...

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The XDiavel V4 is Ducati’s interpretation of a cruiser. While the term ‘cruiser’ instantly brings to mind a typical American motorcycle with an open-chest riding position and forward-set footpegs, Ducati likes to do things differently. It calls the XDiavel a power cruiser — and rightly so. It packs in more power than most cruisers and delivers a far more engaging riding experience, being a cruiser that can also carve corners when you want it to. That said, the launch of the XDiavel may confuse some buyers about the differences between the standard Diavel V4 and the one that comes with the ‘X’ prefix. Here are all the differences between the XDiavel V4 and the Diavel V4. To avoid confusion, we will refer to the Diavel V4 as the Standard bike. Ducati XDiavel V4 vs Diavel V4: Design The XDiavel has a more flowing design The XDiavel has a more flowing silhouette, as opposed to the Diavel V4, which features sharper cuts and creases. Its fuel tank flows seamlessly into the seat, whereas...

The TVS Ntorq 150 makes use of a 149.7cc, single-cyl, air-cooled engine putting out 13.2hp at 7,000rpm and a peak torque of 14.2Nm at 5,500rpm (including 0.7Nm from iGO electric boost). The scooter gets two ride modes, Street and Race, each with a different mapping. For our performance runs, we tested the scooter in Race mode and here are the numbers. TVS Ntorq 150: Acceleration During our test, the conditions were mainly dry. Acceleration Ntorq 150 0-40kph 2.68s 0-60kph 5.41s 0-80kph 10.12s The Ntorq 150 has impressive acceleration in Race mode, with the bike taking 2.68 seconds to get to 40kph, 5.41 seconds to 60kph, and 10.12 seconds to get to 80kph. For an unrestricted launch, we switched off the traction control system in our test. The scooter feels quick off the line, and has an engaging exhaust note as the revs climb. TVS Ntorq 150: Roll-on acceleration The scooter is quick and makes overtakes effortlessly. Roll-On Accelerati...

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The Kawasaki Z900 received a comprehensive update for 2025, bringing new styling and revised electronics to the popular Japanese middleweight naked. If you're considering the Z900, here are answers to some of the most common questions. What is the power and torque output of the Kawasaki Z900? The Kawasaki Z900 is powered by a 948cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine producing 125hp at 9,500rpm and 98.6Nm of torque at 7,700rpm, mated to a 6-speed gearbox.  What is the kerb weight of the Kawasaki Z900? The Kawasaki Z900 has a kerb weight of 212kg.  What is the fuel tank capacity of the Z900? The Kawasaki Z900 features a 17-litre fuel tank, which is one of the largest in its segment.  What is the price of the Kawasaki Z900? The Kawasaki Z900 is priced at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Which are the main rivals of the Kawasaki Z900? The Kawasaki Z900 competes in the middleweight naked segment against the Triumph Street Triple R and Honda CB650R. from Autocar I...

Car number plates in India are far more varied than the familiar white and yellow ones most of us see each day. Beyond the base colour, plates can feature different coloured letters and numbers, and in some cases, symbols. To make sense of it all, this article breaks down different types of vehicle number plates used in the country, explaining how the colours of the plate and the alphanumeric lettering indicate a vehicle’s purpose. Private vehicles White number plate with black letters As mentioned before, a white plate with black letters and numbers is arguably one of the most common types on Indian roads. It’s used for privately owned vehicles and immediately identifies the car as being for personal use. Green number plate with white letters The green background indicates a zero-emission vehicle, such as an electric vehicle, and the white lettering confirms that it is privately registered, distinguishing it from commercial EVs. In the past, we have also seen this being used ...

The Kawasaki KLX230 had been localized to bring the cost down and that brings it closer to the price of the Xpulse 210. We conducted our performance tests for the Xpulse 210 back in September, the India-spec KLX230 in November, and here is what our performance tests revealed:  Hero Xpulse 210 vs Kawasaki KLX230: Acceleration  The Xpulse 210 was tested in damp conditions while the KLX was tested on a dry road. Acceleration Xpulse 210 KLX230 0-60kph 3.9s 4.15s 0-80kph 6.68s 6.94s 0-100kph 11.2s 11.82s In the sprint to 100kph, both bikes are almost on par till 80kph. The Xpulse 210 is about 0.5 seconds quicker than the KLX230 to 100kph. This difference will hardly be noticeable in the real world. The Xpulse 210 can cruise more comfortably at higher speeds, while the KLX230 is the lighter machine suited for technical off-road trails.  Hero Xpulse 210 vs Kawasaki KLX230: Roll-on acceleration The Xpulse 210 makes more p...