Author: Tabitha
Anyone who has had to trailer their rare/expensive hobby or racecar (or any vehicle, for that matter) lives in fear that their precious cargo could be damaged in transit. One way to reduce that possibility is with the Chassis Stabilizer from Mac’s Tie Downs. This item consists of a sturdy rubber bladder that, once inflated by compressed air (up to 20 pounds per square inch) and strategically positioned beneath the vehicle, significantly reduces the severity of undulations due to uneven (or rough) road surfaces, thereby reducing the risk of damage. The Chassis Stabilizer sells for $300 and can be purchased…
The Sleuth was delighted with the news that Ford will bring back two of its more popular trucks from the past. Both the Bronco and the Ranger will be built at the same assembly plant in Michigan. Speculation has it that the Ranger, which is expected for the 2018 model year, will grow in size from compact to mid-size so it can compete with Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon models as well as the Toyota Tacoma and the next-generation Nissan Frontier. It could also resemble the current Ranger that’s available in Europe, Africa and South America. The 2020 model-year Bronco…
That’s how The Sleuth sees it after scoping out the Ram TRX. The 4×4 concept truck has a lifted body, massive skid plates and serious off-road rubber and appears ready to challenge any type of terrain imaginable. A supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 ‘Hemi’ engine rated at 575 horsepower has been specifically designed for torturous driving. It’s hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The powerplant’s overall height also necessitated the design of a special hood. Although the Ram TRX is referred to as a concept, the Ford Raptor’s popularity along with rumors that Nissan’s toughened-up Titan Warrior show…
To keep the kids and possibly yourself occupied on long road trips, try turning off your electronic screens once in a while and bring out the Auto Bingo travel game from Kids Love Travel. Each reusable game card requires the player to spot different items they might see on the journey, such as road signs, vehicle types (police car, fire truck, bus, etc.), buildings, animals and so on. And there’s no need for tokens or messy markers to keep score, you simply slide a tinted plastic cover over the image. Choose from traffic safety, interstate and general-interest themes. A set…
Anki Overdrive as a kind of three-dimensional video game. Developed by Anki (pronounced: On key), a San Francisco, Calif., robotics company, the product consists of a special track layout containing built-in electronics that transmits data to optical sensors located beneath each battle car. The racers are controlled through an app that’s downloaded to your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, which turns it into a Bluetooth-enabled controller. Anki Drive’s so-called artificial intelligence that’s built into the system (no Internet connection required) allows one player to compete against as many as three other players or against the system that assigns specific characteristics…
The Spy Guy wasn’t fooled one bit by the seductively shaped Genesis New York concept model on display at that city’s international auto show last spring. It was rumored to be the basis for an entry-luxury model (part of Hyundai’s new premium Genesis-brand lineup). However word has it that the finished car, called the G70, will be more conservatively styled. The compact sedan will come in rear- and all-wheel-drive variants and will employ a turbocharged four-cylinder as the base engine. A twin-turbocharged V-6 with an expected 365 horsepower will be the feature performer in a Genesis G70 Sport model. The…
The Sleuth wasnÕt expecting to catch ChevroletÕs next-generation compact tall wagon in the flesh so soon. And he was really caught off guard when discovering that the 2018 Equinox will have as an option a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that’s rated at 136 horsepower and 236 pound-feet. That engine, as well as the turbocharged 1.5- and 2.0-liter I-4 gasoline engines, will be connected to six- or nine-speed automatic transmissions, depending on the powerplant. Al-wheel-drive will also be optional. Other than plenty of available torque, the turbo-diesel will be a fuel miser, with an expected highway rating of 40 mpg. The…
Safely and securely transporting ski and/or snowboard equipment is always important and the products offered by Sportube have plenty of both. The company’s hard-shell containers are made from high-density polyethylene and are capable of absorbing plenty of punishment, whether strapped to the roof rack of your vehicle and/or transported by other means. The Series 3 Special Edition is built to contain up to two pairs of skis or two snowboards plus boots and bindings, but will also hold all types of gear. Built-in wheels and a detachable tow handle are included, as is a combination cable that’s approved for airline…
If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember playing with toys that were commonly made of tin. Well, Schylling Associates of Rowley, Mass., a company founded in 1975, produces a variety of retro-style toys, including this limited collector’s edition Grand Prix Racer. It features the same type of friction motor that used to power similar toy cars back in the 1940s and ’50s. The car also comes with rubber tires to help it grip the floor when you, your kids or grand kids rev it up and let it go. Even the cardboard box is retro-inspired and has a tin…
The Sleuth sees a trend in taller tall wagons developing and also sees Mercedes-Benz cashing in on this burgeoning movement. The automaker recently revealed the E-Class All-Terrain, a name that seems to have been created by a product planner who has more than a passing familiarity with his thesaurus (a similar Audi vehicle is called the A4 Allroad). The All-Terrain is essentially an E-Class wagon with more travel in the air suspension system for increased ground clearance. It also has different stability control and skid control systems, protective underbody skid plates and off-road-capable tires. A four-cylinder turbo-diesel is standard on…