VR Tech Times

An early red flag coming to the Marquez brothers’ rescue and Fabio Quartararo retiring from the lead were just some of the noteworthy things that happened at the British GP this year. Ultimately, it was Marco Bezzecchi who took his first win of the season with Aprilia, followed by Honda’s Johann Zarco and championship leader Marc Marquez.  Quartararo’s ride height device failed Bezzecchi takes first win since 2023 Indian GP  Zarco takes back-to-back podiums 2025 British GP: The race restart Race was restarted due to fluid ontrack due to the Espargaro-Morbidelli contact The first race start at Silverstone saw both the Marquez brothers crash out and a collision between Franco Morbidelli’s Ducati and Aleix Espargaro’s Honda. This resulted in some fluid spillage on track which meant the race was red flagged with all the riders (including those who crashed out) able to rejoin the second start. Race distance was reduced by one lap, with a total of 19 laps to go.  Fabi...

The Mercedes EQS SUV 450 has entered our long-term fleet and immediately impressed my kids. Relegated to the back seats whenever we head out, my kids are super happy in the EQS 450, which is a 5-seater, unlike the 7-seat EQS 580 . There's a good amount of space, and the rear seats are veritable thrones, or command centres, as our family boss - our 16-year-old daughter - calls them. Touchscreens mounted at the back of the front seats and a pop-out tablet controller nestled in the armrest allow you to control ambient lighting, HVAC settings, and music over the car's main audio system and on the supplied Bluetooth headphones. What really got her giggling with glee was that she could also view - not alter - the car's setup, like the various EQ displays, with graphs showing range, speed and even the trace of the wheel movement. Full command-centre vibe! Noise-cancelling headphones can even keep out sound from the car’s main audio system. Getting back to the headphones, they...

The Rynox Air GT gloves have been a compelling choice for urban riders seeking a balance between comfort, protection and affordability. Rynox has now updated them with some flexible rubber protection that covers the carpal bones for better abrasion resistance. While they remain the same overall, this new addition has driven up their price by Rs 700.  These gloves are crafted from perforated, soft, full-grain leather with additional leather panels in high-abrasion zones. They are designed to offer both durability and ventilation, making them pretty usable in our tropical climate. Flexible armour doesn’t compromise overall comfort. While Rynox says the fingers are pre-curved and don’t require any wear-in, these gloves felt a bit too rigid initially, and I found that they do require a bit of breaking in. After this, they feel quite comfortable, thanks partly to the accordion stretch panels, allowing for easier hand movements. The built-in touchscreen-compatible fingertips work w...

I came across a study by Park+ Research Labs, which found that a whopping 78 percent of the 6,000 car owners they surveyed through their parking app say the top must-have feature is “ventilated seats”. Sunroof, ADAS and large screens were selected by only 11 percent, 8 percent and 3 percent of participants, respectively. Nothing pleases me more than the consumers realising what they need in Indian conditions and then demanding the same. I have always wondered at the sheer relevance of the sunroof in a largely tropical ecosystem like ours. The marketers had a terrific time selling the “premium flaunt” story, but hopefully, it has lived its life. Ventilated seats are such a cool idea! They should have been brought in much before fitting television screens on dashboards. The Saab 9-5 was the first production vehicle to offer it way back in 1997 – of course, the heated version. The Hyundai Verna was the first non-premium vehicle to have ventilated seats in India. The immediate customer b...

Kush Maini converted pole position into a spectacular win at the F2 Monaco GP Sprint Race. This makes him the first Indian to taste victory at the iconic street track. Maini wins, 3.705 secs ahead of Mini Secures first win with new team Dams Lights to flag win for Maini at Monaco Moves up to P13 in F2 championship Maini qualified P10 for the Feature Race, handing him pole position for the reverse-grid Sprint Race. After a clean getaway, he spent majority of the race under pressure from follow Alpine academy racer Gabriele Mini behind him. He got some breathing room when the Safety Car was brought out on Lap 12 (to recover Joshua Duerksen’s car). Maini then aced the re-start and pulled away enough to escape DRS range from Mini. “I was struggling a bit with front locking and one of my brakes fell asleep, so it was just not about going for the quickest lap this race, but about being consistent, and not making mistakes and just controlling the race, which I feel we did,” Maini exp...

I plan to buy a used Range Rover Velar. I have found a 2020 petrol example with 1,00,000km on the odo and an asking price of Rs 40 lakh. I want to know the expected ownership cost, service and maintenance costs and any major issues that could crop up. Yash, Ahmedabad Autocar India says: The Range Rover Velar is a very desirable car, but you have to be careful buying a used one with high mileage, as beyond 1,00,000km, maintenance can get very expensive. Besides, Range Rovers don’t have the best reputation when it comes to reliability. Also, the vehicle you have seen seems to be heavily used, as it has done an average of 20,000km per year, which is quite high for a luxury car. Though the Velar is quite well-built, you have to be careful of wear and tear, as replacement of parts can be rather expensive. Based on its high mileage alone, we would advise against buying this particular car. Also See: Range Rover Velar facelift review: Modern Minimalist Range Rover Velar facelift video...

As India’s off-road riding community grows, so does the need for purpose-built but cost-effective machines. KTM’s 390 Enduro R and Kawasaki’s KLX230 offer two vastly different interpretations of what an accessible, dirt-focused bike should be. While there’s a huge gap in their performance, their price tag is where they are quite close. Both claim to be proper off-roaders, but which one truly fits the brief? KTM 390 Enduro R vs Kawasaki KLX230: Design and features Both motorcycles are designed to go off-road but take a different approach The 390 Enduro R may appear like a stripped-down 390 Adventure at first glance, but look closer, and you can appreciate KTM’s effort to keep its design unique. Based on the 390 Adventure platform, it gets a larger 18-inch rear wheel, a smaller 9-litre fuel tank, less bodywork, and off-road oriented tyres. The plastic tank and black panels look a tad budget and don’t seem like they’d age too well. The 4.2-inch TFT on the KTM is packed with inform...

The upcoming Volkswagen Golf GTI is arguably the most hotly anticipated new car launch this year for enthusiasts. An iconic nameplate in VW’s global lineup, the Golf is actually a spiritual successor to the Volkswagen Beetle. And it is also bringing back the GTI nameplate to India, with Volkswagen previously having offered the Polo GTI back in 2016 . So, without further ado, here’s 5 things you need to know about India’s newest hot hatchback ahead of its price announcement on May 26. Volkswagen Golf GTI engine and specs 265hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine  The Golf GTI is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (EA888) that produces 265hp and 370Nm. The unit is paired with a 7-speed DCT gearbox with paddle shifters, sending power to the front wheels, and it also gets an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. Volkswagen claims a 0-100kph time of 5.9 seconds for the Golf GTI, and it has speedometer indicated top-speed of 267kph. Volkswagen Golf ...

Kia India  has revealed the variant-wise prices for its  Carens Clavis , ranging from Rs 11.50 lakh to Rs 21.50 lakh (ex-showroom). Positioned as a more premium alternative to the  Kia Carens , much like how the  Maruti XL6  sits above the  Ertiga , the new Clavis targets buyers looking for a more upmarket MPV. Here is how the Kia Clavis compares on price with its key rivals, including the aforementioned Marutis, and the  Toyota Rumion . Kia Carens Clavis vs rivals: price details Ertiga is the most affordable petrol and CNG MPV here At Rs 8.96 lakh, the Maruti Ertiga offers the most affordable petrol variant, followed by the Toyota Rumion at Rs 10.54 lakh. Next are the Kia siblings - the regular Carens now starts at Rs 11.41 lakh, just below the base Clavis at Rs 11.50 lakh, while the Maruti XL6 begins at a higher Rs 11.83 lakh price. For top-end prices, the Ertiga is the most economical at Rs 13.25 lakh, while the Clavis is the priciest at Rs 21....

I have a budget of Rs 50 lakh and want to buy either the Skoda Octavia, Superb or Kodiaq, but I have a few doubts: 1. Is the Octavia coming in diesel spec, and if so, at what price? 2. Will the Kodiaq, Octavia or Superb give a similar performance as my Skoda Laura? 3. Can I use it for my 25km commute within the city, with empty roads, without clogging the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)? 4. If one of the above conditions is not being met, then can you suggest a good second-hand diesel sedan? Jitendra, Mumbai Autocar India says: You may need to bump up your Rs 50 lakh budget as the on-road prices of the Skoda imports could exceed it. But, all the same, let’s take your questions point-by-point:  1) Yes, the Superb is expected to return with a diesel engine in India . Skoda even showcased the Superb diesel at this year's Auto Expo . However, being an import, it will attract higher customs duties and local taxes, and therefore, it is likely to cost you well above Rs 60 lakh on...

Yamaha’s FZ range has long been a staple in the 150cc commuter space, and the latest FZ-S Hybrid adds a touch of tech to that reputation. This mild-hybrid setup promises greater fuel efficiency and improved city manners, and we’ve now put those claims to the test using our standardised fuel efficiency testing procedure.  Yamaha FZ-S Fi Hybrid real world fuel efficiency We saw a respectable fuel efficiency figure of 51.64kpl in the city and 48.20kpl on the highway. To measure the city fuel efficiency, we took the FZ-S Hybrid through our usual slow-speed, stop-and-go city test cycle. After riding 43.9km, we topped up the tank and it took 0.85 litres of fuel to brim it, resulting in a city fuel efficiency figure of 51.64kpl. We then tested the bike’s highway efficiency by cruising at a steady speed in top gear, simulating typical intercity conditions. Once again, we fuelled up to the brim before setting off, and after covering 42.9km, we refuelled 0.89 litres of petrol. This gave ...

Launched at a starting price of Rs 11.50 lakh, the  Kia Carens Clavis is a facelifted version of the regular  Carens MPV , albeit with a more premium slant. It introduces comprehensive design updates on the outside, such as revised headlights reminiscent of the  EV6 facelift , redesigned front and rear bumpers, new 17-inch alloy wheels, an updated rear lightbar, and more. Inside, the Carens Clavis sees subtler changes on the design front and much bigger ones in terms of features. Let's take a look at everything on offer in the Carens Clavis variant line-up. Kia Carens Clavis variants explained Petrol and diesel engine options The Kia Carens Clavis retains the same engine and gearbox options as the standard Carens: a 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol with a 6-speed manual; a 116hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic; and a 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol with 6-speed iMT, 7-speed dual-clutch auto, or 6-speed manual gearbox. The l...

Kia Carens Clavis  has been launched at a starting price of Rs 11.50 lakh, going up to Rs 21.50 lakh (both ex-showroom, India). Bookings for the Kia MPV began a day after its May 8 reveal for a token amount of Rs 25,000. The Carens Clavis will be sold alongside the standard Carens, with the Clavis suffix representing a more premium positioning. Switchable touch-sensitive panel controls both HVAC and media controls Level 2 ADAS suite and 360-degree camera setup on offer Engine options carried over from standard Carens   Kia Carens Clavis price list 2025 Kia Carens Clavis variant-wise prices (in Rs, lakh, ex-showroom) HTE HTE(O) HTK HTK+ HTK+(O) HTX HTX+ 1.5 naturally-aspirated petrol (7 seats) 11.50 12.50 13.50 - - - - 1.5 turbo-petrol (6 seats - - - - - - 19.40-21.50 1.5 turbo-petrol (7 seats) - 13.40 14.40 15.40-16.90 16.20-17.70 18.40-18.70 19.40-21.50 1.5 diesel (7 seats) 13.50 14.55 15.52 16.50 17.30 19.50 ...

The Tata Altroz facelift is finally on sale, bringing a sharper design, an updated interior, an expanded features list and a familiar set of powertrains. It’s one of the few premium hatchbacks available in India, with the Hyundai i20 , Toyota Glanza  and  Maruti Suzuki Baleno being the other contenders. Let’s find out how the updated Altroz fares against its rivals in price, size and powertrain offerings. 2025 Tata Altroz facelift price vs rivals Altroz starting price is no longer most affordable The Altroz’s starting price was lower than that of its rivals, but Tata has hiked it by Rs 24,000 with the facelift. Now starting at Rs 6.89 lakh, the facelifted Altroz falls almost in line with the Glanza’s Rs 6.90 lakh price tag for the base trim, while the Baleno secures the affordability crown courtesy of its Rs 6.70 lakh starting price. The i20 continues to be the priciest of the lot, retailing at Rs 7.04 lakh for its base variant. As for the top-spec trims, the Baleno i...

With the 300–500cc adventure tourer segment gaining traction in India, Kawasaki has decided to reintroduce the Versys X 300 in our market. For 2025, it receives updates to meet emission norms, along with a new colour scheme and refreshed graphics. Apart from the compliance update and cosmetic update, the bike remains largely unchanged. We pit it against its chief rivals on paper to see how it stacks up. Kawasaki Versys X 300 vs rivals: engine and output Engine and output Kawasaki Versys-X 300 KTM 390 Adventure Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Engine 297cc, parallel-twin, liquid cooled 399cc, single cylinder, liquid-cooled 452cc, single cylinder, liquid-cooled Power 40hp at 11,500rpm 46hp at 8,500rpm 40hp at 8,000rpm Torque 26Nm at 10,000rpm 39Nm at 6,500rpm 40Nm at 5,500rpm Gearbox 6-speed 6-speed 6-speed Power-to-weight 223.46hp/tonne 252.74hp/tonne 204.08hp/tonne The Versys is the only one to feature a parallel-twin engine The Kawas...