Author: Tabitha
The automaker announced that it would manufacture a new 1 series base sedan in China with assistance from its partner Brilliance Auto. Although BMW denies that this 1 series will make it to North America, The Sleuth has no doubt that the North American dealer network will be begging for it to come to our shores. The small front- and all-wheel-drive four-door car that’s being built on the same platform as the current crop of Mini-brand vehicles would give buyers access to BMW at a more affordable price than the current base 3 series. As with the Mini, an all-turbocharged…
Whether you want one for your kids, or as a display item for your office or garage, a pedal car is really neat to have around. And for many collectors, the type of 1950s-style kid-mobiles that are produced by inStep are ideal. The company, which is a division of bicycle-maker Schwinn, makes a variety of classic pedal cars, including this neat black and white police car. It has all-steel construction with rubber tires and chrome hubcaps and the adjustable pedals allow children of varying sizes to go for a spin. The police car sells for $160, but you can step…
It’s not auto-related, but who wouldn’t want an office chair as unique as this? It’s an actual ejection seat from a Boeing B52 Stratofortress bomber that was first flown by U.S. Air Force pilots in the mid 1950s and is expected to remain in service for another two decades. MotoArt modifies them for civilian use by attaching an aluminum swivel base with industrial casters and adding leather or vinyl seat cushions in your choice of colors. The company claims it takes about 100 hours to produce each made-to-order office chair, which is likely why the price isn’t advertised. Get all…
Nissan Motor Co.’s new e-Power drive system marks a change in the company’s strategy. The system borrows from proven electric technology in the Nissan Leaf plug-in battery electric sedan. Unlike the Leaf’s battery-only system, however, it uses a small gasoline engine to charge the high-output battery, eliminating the need for an external charger. It’s a system that operates in principle just as the Chevrolet Volt does. The wheels are driven by the electric motor and the gas engine’s only function is to charge the battery. Because it’s electric, e-Power delivers ‘massive torque almost instantly’ and without having to worry about…
Reinvigorated electric car maker Fisker has revealed its upcoming EMotion sedan, promising a 400-mile range and a 160-mph top speed. Unlike the previous Karma, Fisker’s original extended-range sedan that charged its batteries with a gasoline generator engine, the EMotion is a pure battery-electric using new graphene battery technology, says auto lifestyles webmag Motor Authority. Comfort will be another improvement over the Karma, with ‘superb’ rear legroom and more interior space overall than its main rival, the Tesla Model S. The car has been designed from the outset to incorporate self-driving technologies and will be priced to compete with high-end Tesla…
If you’re partial to the Ford Fiesta but would prefer something just a bit roomier, you’re in luck. For the 2018 model year, the Blue Oval automaker will bring out the EcoSport compact utility vehicle in updated form (the vehicle is already on sale in Europe). Power will come from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine while a turbocharged three-cylinder will be available. With small models such as the Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V and others gaining popularity, the introduction of the EcoSport makes perfect sense. Ford is late to the game with a compact utility vehicle to compete with the Honda HR-V,…
The Sleuth’s sources are telling him that a special Dodge Challenger Hellcat is expected to arrive for the 2018 model year. The stance on this model, dubbed the Hellcat ADR, will be widened, necessitating a flaring of the front and rear fenders to contain the wider wheels and tires. Engine output is expected to increase to about 750 horsepower from 707. Interestingly, none of the Spy Guy’s insiders can confirm that all-wheel-drive will be part of the package, with some suggesting the feature will be available for the next-gen. 2020 Challenger. In case the standard Hellcat (pictured) doesn’t have enough…
When heading out jogging or to the beach, it can be a hassle to find a secure spot to hide your car keys, money or other small valuables. That’s why the Run Lock was invented. The 2.7- by- 1.6- by- 1.2-inch deep combination-lock and mini-safe is designed to hold all your keys as well as some folding cash and attaches to a secure spot outside your vehicle, such as a door handle, trailer hitch, roof rack, or a suspension component that’s out of sight beneath the vehicle. The four-digit lock can be set to one of 10,000 possible combinations. The…
There are models of cars and then there are serious representations of world-famous automobiles. If your tastes fall to the latter, Bentley has just the model. Sold through the automaker’s online gifts and accessories shop, this 1:8-scale Bentley Blower is named for its front-mounted supercharger that boosted the car’s 4.4-liter four-cylinder engine to 240 horsepower from the 110 for regular versions. The Bentley Blower competed in several races, including the French 24 hours of Le Mans from 1929-’31. Although it never won, its 137-mph top speed was impressive for the day. The model is comprised of 1,000 resin and aluminum…
These days, about the only place where the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger compete head-to-head is on the drag strip. Chevrolet in particular takes drag racing seriously with very limited number of what’s called the COPO (Central Office Production Order) Camaro. The Sleuth reports that, as in previous years, only 69 of these non-street-legal factory-built models will be available, with most going to professional race teams. The COPO Camaros can be had with one of three engines, all mated to three-speed automatic transmissions. Additional racing equipment includes special suspensions, heavy-duty rear axles, light-weight brakes, steering racks and fuel…