VR Tech Times

My start-up ritual is always the same. Fire the engine, drop the windows and take the fan speed to max. It’s the fastest way to vent the greenhouse and cool the cabin, especially on a baking hot day. On the E-Class, this, however, presents something of a problem. Pushing the fan speed up to maximum is a two-step process. You first have to select the fan-speed icon on the bottom of the touchscreen, and once you’ve hit that accurately, then it’s tap, tap, tap it up to max. This is not something you can do while reversing, as the camera feed pops up on the screen. And then you have to judge gaps, steer and move the car back and forth. There, however, is a hack – all I do is say, “Hey Mercedes, take fan speed to maximum,” and the blower speed increases, even as I work to get out of the parking lot. At times, I even ask Mercedes to open the windows. ‘Helga’ comprehends quite a lot these days.  Reversing pictogram is tiny, and you can’t see obstacles clearly. Over the weeks I’ve been dr...

Tailbags offer plenty of storage but also make a bike look bulky and take up space around a rider. The Viaterra LFA Enduro Rackless Saddlebags, paired with the LFA Tailbag, take a compact, modular approach, and I particularly like how sleek the setup is. This Enduro version offers 16 litres of total storage, with a 7-litre main compartment and a 1-litre external pocket on each side. The LFA Tailbag is a separate addition that has 15 litres of storage and can also be used independently. This makes it quite a versatile system. The rackless saddlebags sit neatly on either side, keeping the luggage close to the motorcycle. This gives the bike a cleaner appearance while keeping the luggage relatively unobtrusive. For riders who don’t want to fit a permanent luggage rack or a large tailbag, this setup makes a lot of sense. The mounting process was also straightforward. Supplied hook straps make the process simple, and once you know where each strap needs to go, getting the luggage on and of...

While scooters are more practical than motorcycles, the choice comes down to how and where you use them. I have preferred motorcycles for daily commuting, mainly because their larger wheels and better suspension tend to offer a more composed ride, while the extra performance makes quick progress through traffic easier. With our long-term motorcycles already being used by other colleagues, I found myself spending more time with the TVS Ntorq 150. Since our last report, it has covered another 1,000km. The first thing any enthusiast is likely to appreciate about the Ntorq is its performance. Overtakes are easy, and you rarely need to twist the throttle all the way to make a quick move through traffic. Adding to the character of this scooter is an engaging exhaust note. The riding modes also add a useful layer of versatility. During torrential rains, with poor visibility and slippery roads, I found Street mode quite useful. It slightly reduces power delivery, making it easier to manage wh...

Triumph has released a teaser showing four new motorcycles ahead of a reveal scheduled for October 6, and the most eagerly anticipated of the lot is arguably the Bonneville 400. The upcoming modern retro model has been spotted testing several times over the last few months, and will be the latest addition to the brand’s ‘400’ portfolio. Triumph to reveal four new motorcycles on October 6 Bonneville 400 to be based on the same platform as other Triumph 400 models Other three models appear to be a Street Triple, and two Tiger models Triumph Bonneville 400: What to expect New chassis and suspension to suit the classic retro character From images of test mules, we know that the Bonneville 400 will be the most visually distinctive model in Triumph's 350cc Bajaj-made lineup. Unlike the Speed 400 , Scrambler 400 , Thruxton 400 and Tracker 400 , it gets right-way-up gaitered telescopic forks and twin rear shock absorbers rather than the USD fork and monoshock setup shared by those model...

Kawasaki has officially brought its range of side-by-side vehicles (SxS) to India, and it’s a line-up that caters to vastly different applications. At one end are workhorses designed for agriculture, utility duties and passenger transport, while at the other are machines built purely for adventure. The range includes the Teryx 4 H2, Teryx KRX 1000, Teryx KRX4 1000, Ridge Crew and Mule Pro-FXT 1000 LE. We got the opportunity to spend a short time behind the wheel of the Teryx KRX4 1000, a four-seat performance-focused buggy designed to tackle the roughest of terrain. Think of it as an oversized, highly capable off-road buggy. Power comes from a 999cc parallel-twin engine producing 110hp at 8,300rpm and 102Nm at 7,000rpm. It rides on 15-inch wheels wrapped in chunky Maxxis Carnivore tyres, gets long-travel Showa suspension with adjustable damping, Electric Power Steering (EPS), selectable two- and four-wheel drive, and a CVT transmission. So, on paper, it has all the ingredients require...

Only recently, I made the sweeping and somewhat heavy-handed statement that EVs have taken the excitement out of speed. That once you’ve done one ballistic acceleration run in an EV, you’ve done them all, and without a roaring engine, vibrations pulsating through the wheel and gearshifts jolting you in the small of your back, it all feels a bit sanitised. Well, as it turns out, all an EV needs to solve this conundrum is… even more power. Remember when 1,000 horsepower was the sort of million-dollar pipe dream that we thought we’d only ever see on bedroom posters or YouTube videos? Well, it’s not that insane a proposition anymore, and in fact, three cars on sale in India have crossed the fabled 1,000hp mark. Two are ultra-exotic supercars that cost north of Rs 10 crore – the 1,015hp Lamborghini Revuelto and 1,050hp Ferrari Testarossa. And the third is this, the 1,156hp Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric – a full Maruti Brezza more powerful than those Italian supercars – and yours for a fr...

Maruti Suzuki’s hatchback sales grew 41 percent in the first half of FY2026-27, while SUV sales increased 56 percent, according to Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer, marketing and sales, Maruti Suzuki. Speaking during the company’s half-yearly sales briefing, Banerjee said, “It is not a one-month wonder.” Maruti has attributed part of the recent improvement in volumes to the GST rate changes introduced in September last year. The company said the lower tax burden has supported demand for smaller cars. Small cars continue to see demand Maruti’s entry hatchback sales grew 86 percent in H1 FY27, while mid-hatchback sales increased 40 percent. Overall hatchback sales were up 41 percent during the period. “Month after month it is happening. In the first half of FY27, Maruti’s entry hatchback sales grew 86 percent, mid-hatches by 40 percent and overall hatchback sales by 41 percent. Mini-car sales have also grown 39.8 percent in September,” said Banerjee. Maruti’s mini, small and m...

Jeep India is offering compelling benefits on the Compass, Meridian, and Grand Cherokee throughout October. These benefits include consumer discounts, corporate offers, and other special incentives. Prospective buyers interested in the Wrangler should note that there are no benefits available for the off-roader this month. Disclaimer: Discounts vary from city to city and are subject to stock availability. Please check with your local nearest Jeep dealership for the exact figures. Jeep Compass discounts in October 2026 Up to Rs 1.5 lakh Certain variants of Jeep's entry-level model, the Compass , can be purchased with benefits of up to Rs 1.5 lakh this month. Corporate benefits of up to Rs 1.1 lakh are also available for select companies, and doctors and leasing companies can avail an additional Rs 15,000 benefit. The Compass is powered by a 170hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed torque converter automatic. Jeep ...

Kawasaki has officially unveiled the 2027 Ninja 650 with the bike first made available in the UK market. The update introduces some notable mechanical enhancements alongside new colour options. Here are the key things to note. 2027 Ninja 650 gets upgraded front brakes Conventional telescopic fork replaced by new USD unit Available in two colour options 2027 Kawasaki Ninja 650: What are the changes?   Gets upgraded brake components and front suspension The 2027 Ninja 650 comes with upgraded front brakes and improved suspension. The front brakes now comprise radially-mounted, 4-piston calipers, whereas the outgoing model used axially-mounted, 2-piston calipers. This should help improve braking performance and feedback. Additionally, the conventional 41mm telescopic front suspension is now replaced with a 37mm separate function USD fork, which Kawasaki says has translated to improved feel and stability, especially during corner entry. Rounding out the updated feature list is the new ...

The new Yamaha R2 serves as the next step from the venerable R15 for Yamaha enthusiasts in India. We experienced the bike on the Madras International Circuit and report on what it's like to ride. from Autocar India https://ift.tt/W0raMBk

The internet has expressed considerable concern in the month following the launch of the new R2, that it has lost some of the key elements that made the R15 such a standout. While I agree that the lack of the deltabox frame and the removal of the variable valve timing system, don’t make for great viewing on a spec sheet, they also don’t dictate what makes for a great riding experience. Yamaha recently gave us a brief chance to experience the R2 on the Madras International Circuit and, I’m happy to confirm that that authentic Yamaha R experience is still very much intact. Yamaha R2 Riding position and Seat height - 8/10 Slightly more accessible than the R15 Specifications Values Seat height 810 mm Adjustable seat height No Wheelbase 1340 mm Ground Clearance 170 mm The familiar Yamaha feeling set in from the moment we swung a leg over the bike. The ergos have been tweaked very slightly, but the overall riding position is still very similar to the R15. The biggest difference for me was t...