Author: Tabitha
The Sleuth doesn’t quite know what to make of news that this constructor of high-end automobiles could be getting into the yacht business. The 46-foot, 10-passenger Arrow460-Grantursimo, a concept boat by M-B’s design consulting division and built by Silver Arrows Marine Ltd. of England, is currently undergoing trials on the waters off the French Riviera near Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Silver Arrows plans on just 10 full-on-luxury examples priced in the vicinity of $1.7 million each. Surprisingly, the Granturismo’s twin 480-horsepower diesel engines aren’t being supplied by Mercedes-Benz, but instead come from Yanmar, Co., Ltd. of Japan. Designed by a division of Mercedes-Benz,…
The Spymaster had given up the rebadged Fisker Karma extended-range electric sedan for dead after the company that bore founder Henrik Fisker’s name ceased operations in late 2012. What remained of the failed automaker was acquired by Wanxaing of China with the car returning to production this spring. That didnÕt happen, but now comes word from an executive that the renamed Karma Revero is currently being updated and will go on display later this summer. Changes include a new battery system and operating software plus related components that will be supplied by BMW. There is also a plan to sell…
Ford says it has advanced the state of diesel technology with its new 2.0-liter EcoBlue engine, the first in a range of similar power units that it says will deliver unrivaled fuel-efficiency, performance and refinement. Its clean-sheet design reduces internal friction enough to attain a 13 percent improvement in fuel efficiency when compared to previous efforts, while Ford’s first ‘mirror-image’ inlet manifold and a low-inertia turbocharger (with rocket engine materials) help deliver more than 20 percent more low-end torque with reduced emissions. The four-cylinder 2.0-liter debuts this year in the new Transit and Transit Custom vans and passenger vehicles in…
BMW has given the i3 electric city car a big boost in battery capacity that allows it to travel a claimed maximum 114 miles on a charge. Battery capacity rises 50 percent, to 33-kilowatt hours from 22. The range-extended model, which uses a small gasoline engine to augment driving range (by about 90 miles) by charging the battery, gets the same new battery, plus a larger, 2.4-gallon fuel tank, up from 1.9 gallons. The new battery fits within the same enclosure as the old one; its lithium-ion cells sport a higher energy density than the ones previously used. The larger…
Many car nuts are also attracted to timepieces. Timedrivers understands this addiction, which is why the company specializes in watches that are influenced by the look of automobile gauges from the 1940s and ’50s. For example, the Stewart Warner-style Deluxe watch (one of many unique models) features a simple, yet elegant design that’s patterned after classic-car speedometers from bygone eras. Features include a machined stainless steel bezel that surrounds the 47-millimeter face. The internal mechanism consists of a shock-resistant Japanese quartz movement and is finished off with a medium grain leather strap. The Deluxe sells for $100, while other watches…
One of the most fascinating and controversial industrialists of any time in history, Henry Ford literally put North America on wheels with his sturdy and affordable Model T. Much has been written about the manÕs early beginnings, but author Henry Dominguez has instead concentrated on chronicling Ford’s final years prior to his death on April 7, 1947 of a cerebral hemorrhage. Dominguez’s book, ‘The Last Days of Henry Ford,’ includes over 100 photos, including the only known color image of Ford. Purchase the book for $45, or $65 for a numbered and signed copy with slipcover, from www.racemaker.com.
The automaker with Swedish roots has a ‘deliberately ambitious target’ of selling one million electrified cars globally by 2025, by offering at least two hybrid versions of every model in its range, and releasing its first all-electric car in 2019. The automaker intends to be ‘at the forefront of this shift to electrification,’ said president and CEO, HŒkan Samuelsson. Volvo has been preparing for the shift for five years, he said, developing in the interim two all-new vehicle architectures Ð one large, one smaller Ð designed to accommodate hybrid and fully electric drive systems. Samuelsson also committed Volvo to achieving…
With more than 40 million units sold since the brand’s debut 50 years ago, the thrifty Toyota Corolla has become far and away the biggest-selling nameplate in automotive history. To mark the occasion, Toyota has unveiled the nicely dressed 2017 Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition, available in limited numbers this fall. It’s based on (and is mechanically identical to) the current generation Corolla, which, according to auto-news Web site Motor Authority, is soon to get a major update and a slightly different lineup that more closely mirrors big-brother Camry. The SE-based 50th anniversary car will wear 17-inch gray wheels,…
One of North America’s top-selling compact wagons will become a bit bigger for 2017. The Trenchcoated one hears that the next-generation CR-V will become a bit longer and wider and will feature the same turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that’s optional in the Civic sedan and coupe. It’s rated at 174 horsepower, but the CR-V’s version might be tweaked to deliver a bit more output. Unconfirmed but likely at this point is the availability of a third-row seat (the possible reason for the larger size) which is similar to what’s offered in the Nissan Rogue and next-generation Volkswagen Tiguan. Expect a late-2016…
The Spy Guy reports that V-6 engines, which have been one of these British brand’s staples since long before they were acquired by the Tata Group of India, will soon disappear. In their place will be an inline six-cylinder that displaces 3.0 liters of air and will eventually expand to include scalable three- and four-cylinder gasoline and turbo-diesel units. In all cases, the emphasis will be on improved fuel economy and increased output. Regarding the latter, the upcoming six-cylinder will make roughly 270 horsepower in non-turbo trim, while turbocharged versions will hit the 500-horsepower mark, and possibly beyond. Buyers can…