Latest questions answered by experts
Nikhil Verma
•2dI am looking to buy something under 20L all-inclusive. I am more or less sure that I am getting an AWD or 4x4 unit. The only 4x4 in this range is the Jimmy; the Thar 3-door does not work for me. In AWD, I also get ADAS, 360 example Victoris. I am not looking to go adventurous, but I am looking for a car to go through all sorts of roads. Is AWD capable enough, or do I have to compromise with Jimmy?

Autocar India
Go for the Marutu Suzuki Victoris AWD, not the Marutu Suzuki Jimny, for what you plan to do. You said no real off-roading, just “all sorts of roads” - broken village stretches, rain-soaked highways, mild slush. The Victoris’ AWD will send drive to the rear when it slips, so you keep moving without the drama, while giving you far better ride comfort, highway stability, space and boot than the Jimny. You also get a more modern cabin and features like a 360-degree camera, and in some trims, ADAS is available.Jimny’s low-range 4x4 only really pays off in deep ruts, rock steps and deep mud. For daily use, it’s slower, bouncier, narrower, and the boot is smaller.One honest catch with the Victoris: AWD won't be as fuel-efficient as the FWD model. If your routes are just rough and unpredictable rather than extreme, the Victoris AWD will suit you fine.

ilyas
•7wI want to buy the Vespa Officina, but I am confused about whether I should buy it now or wait for the Vespa GTS.

Autocar India
The Vespa Officina 8 is a special colourway that is only available at select dealerships and you'll have to get in touch with your nearest Vespa showroom to see if they can procure it. Coming to the Vespa GTS, Piaggio India hasn't indicated that any of the larger GTS Vespa scooters will be coming to India anytime soon. You could reach out to a Motoplex dealership and see if they will import one for you - on rare occasions, a miniscule amount of GTS scooters have been brought here based on customer demand. Do bear in mind that the GTS will cost significantly more than any Vespa bike or Aprilia bike on sale in India and sourcing spares and servicing them will be tougher than usual too.
Rakesh
•2wWhich car should I go for Hyundai Venue HX10 DCT Petrol Automatic, the new facelift Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet GTX+ Petrol Automatic, or Tata Nexon Fearless+ PS DCA Petrol? My driving will be around 80% city and 20% highway. Please advise.

Autocar India
With 80% city use and 20% highway, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI+ automatic is the better fit from your list. Its petrol engine with the regular automatic feels the smoothest in slow city traffic, so starts, stops and tight parking are stress-free. The ride is comfortable on bad roads, the steering is light, and the upright driving position gives clear views all around. It is also an easy car to live with day to day, with simple controls and wide service reach.Trade-offs to note: it is not as quick as the turbo-petrol options when you press hard, and the cabin does not feel as fancy as the top trims of the others.If you want a livelier drive and the most features, pick the Hyundai Venue HX10 DCT from your shortlist. It feels quicker and has a richer cabin, but the dual-clutch automatic can feel a bit hesitant in very slow, bumper-to-bumper traffic.Overall, for mostly city use, the Brezza ZXI+ automatic lines up best with what you described.
perumal
•1wI am planning to buy the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and booked it yesterday. Should I be concerned about the upcoming E30 fuel blend, or should I continue with the booking, cancel it, or wait for more clarity?

Autocar India
The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 currently on sale supports petrol with up to 20 percent ethanol. E20 is the current baseline fuel available across India and while draft notifications proposing petrol with higher ethanol blends have been proposed and certified, this is still quite a ways away from becoming the available petrol blend in the near future. Therefore, you shouldn't worry too much right now and go ahead with your new purchase happily!
ARNAB DUTTA
•5wI want to buy a sports bike and am confused between the BMW G 310 RR and the TVS Apache RR 310. Which one is the better buy?

Autocar India
We'd recommend going for the TVS Apache RR 310 over the BMW G 310 RR because even though both are pretty much identical, TVS gives you a slightly more refined package at a lower price and with lower service costs in the long run than the BMW bike. TVS has refined and upgraded the RR 310 multiple times since it was launched adding more features, power and better components over time, whereas the G 310 RR remains the same since it came out in 2022. Like for like, the TVS bike comes with better tyres than the BMW, will cost a fair deal lesser, which in our books, immediately tilts the scales in favour of the Apache. TVS also has a much wider service network and parts are easier on the pocket, so living with the bike in the long run will be easier and more pocket-friendly. One thing to bear in mind is that TVS' showroom experience can be a little hit or miss, so pick a dealer with generally strong service reviews.Choosing the BMW G 310 RR only makes sense if you value what badge your bike wears and you are alright with paying more upfront and at service for a slightly older package.
Ganesh
•4wI want to buy my first bike, but I am confused because the government has recently announced that E85 or E200 fuel could be introduced in the future. At present, most two-wheelers are only compatible with E20 fuel. When are these higher ethanol blends expected to become practical for regular use? Should I go ahead and buy a petrol two-wheeler now, or is it better to wait?

Autocar India
Today, E20 petrol is the current standard, and all bikes sold today are fully compatible with it. The move to E85 or E100 is still at a nascent stage and depends on multiple things like flex-fuel engines becoming commonplace, fuel availability and nationwide infrastructure. Even if this policy hypothetically does get confirmed in the near future, it will take years to become mainstream. Like the government silently replaced E10 fuel with E20 petrol, these higher blends will not suddenly replace E20 across the country in the coming years. For existing vehicles, there is almost no risk of becoming unusable, so we'd recommend you buy the new bike that you've been eyeing.
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