Author: Tabitha
All parents want their wee ones to be safe and comfortable when traveling in a car seat. So is there a better company to build a child seat than Recaro, which claims that it has applied its competition expertise to the Racing Edition line? Key features include a quick-pull five-point safety harness, fully adjustable soft-touch head restraint, rear facing recline lever, mesh-type side inserts for air circulation and specific side-impact protection for the head/face, neck, torso and pelvis. The seats will also support a child weighing up to 80 pounds (nine months of age to 12 years), depending on the…
The Spy Guy caught wind of a major development that affects Subaru’s entire lineup. A new global chassis will be scalable so that it can be used for a variety of vehicles as well as for gasoline-, hybrid- and electric-powered models. In addition, the platform is between 70 and 100 percent more rigid than current versions for improved ride and handling plus a lower center of gravity. As a bonus, the design provides significantly better energy absorbency during an impact. Subaru says that the complementing front and rear suspensions will reduce body roll (leaning) by 50 percent. The Sleuth thinks…
Turbocharging is one sure-fire way to increase the horsepower of smaller engines, which, if driven prudently, can return decent fuel economy. The only sticking point has been the frustrating time delay from when the accelerator is pressed to when the turbo begins to make noticeable boost pressure (known as lag). The Sleuth hears that Audi has solved this problem by adding an electronic compressor ahead of the turbo that spins up to 70,000 revolutions per minute. What does it do? Simply put, the compressor runs off a separate 48-volt lithium-ion battery, which Audi says is powerful enough to basically eliminate…
The Sleuth doesn’t need to speculate any longer; he now has the scoop on the finalized version of the all-new model that was to have sported a Scion badge (before Toyota announced it was killing off the brand). The sporty coupe-ish looking hatchback (the rear doors are well hidden) will be a bit smaller than the Toyota RAV-4 and will be available with a gasoline four-cylinder or available gas-electric hybrid powertrain that will be the one to get for its fuel efficiency and performance. Visually the C-HR isn’t as wild-looking as the concept version, yet it’s is still pretty radical…
The Spymaster’s glimpse of the restyled 2017 Acura MDX that will arrive later this year clearly indicates that Honda’s premium division is finally moving away from the shield-style grille. In its most extreme form, the prow-like nose first showed up on the 2007 MDX wagon, followed by the 2009 RL, TSX and TL sedans (the latter being the most extreme example). The MDX’s new schnoz will look similar to that of the Precision Concept that was displayed at the recent 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich., and will be rolled out to other lineup members in due…
Remember when you or your children practiced power sliding on a Mattel’s Big Wheels trike? If you missed out, High Roller USA makes an adult-sized version that’s built to accommodate, shall we say, the more full-figured rider. The extra-wide 26-inch pneumatic front tire is mounted to an alloy wheel and is complemented by two 14-inch molded plastic rear wheels to create that spinout effect when turning sharply. The pedals are freewheeling for coasting, while the lever-style front brake is hand-controlled, just like any multi-speed bicycle. The padded seat is fully adjustable to assure a proper fit for riders up to…
Are you stumped as to what to buy as a gift for the car guy or gal in your life? If all else fails, you can’t go wrong with an automotive-themed belt buckle. One of the Internet sites devoted to such products is Buckleshop. There you’ll find a myriad of types, including current and vintage brand logos representing General Motors, Ford and Chrysler products, hot rods and classic cars. They even have a number of different Checker Cab designs available plus Route 66 road-sign styles. There are also buckles that will appeal to truckers and motorcyclists. Just about everything in…
As Mercedes-Benz launches a barrage of plug-in electric cars, parent company Daimler is making its executives practice what they preach, reports Motor Trend magazine. Executives at Daimler headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, will be required to choose either electric cars or plug-in hybrids as their company vehicles. Lower-level employees are also being incentivized through special lease terms for the vehicles. Daimler is also employing a tactic that has worked well for other companies looking to increase electric-vehicle adoption: expanding charging infrastructure. With 556 individual charging plugs at its headquarters, Daimler recently made a US $33-million investment aimed at expanding Germany’s electric-car…
Honda has set a goal that by ‘around 2030’ it will ‘strive’ to make fully two-thirds of its vehicles electrified in some way. The plan includes hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. It’s an audacious and ambitious plan, notes men’s lifestyle web magazine ‘The Cheat Sheet’ though other automakers might have similar plans that they have not publicly disclosed. In 2015, Toyota, said that virtually all of its sales would be hybrids or fuel-cell vehicles by 2050, ‘but Honda’s goal includes vehicles with plugs, which Toyota conspicuously did not mention.’ Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo also announced that…
For a quick cleanup, grab a bottle of Slick Offroad Wash. The manufacturer, Paramount Extrusions Co., claims that it’s concentrated product, when dissolved in water, will clean up virtually anything by spraying it on, letting soak in for about five minutes, then wiping it off without using a pressure washer (no scrubbing required). Slick is also biodegradable and contains no acids or phosphates, so it’s kind to the environment. Order an eight-ounce package (makes one gallon) for $6 or a 32-ounce bottle (four gallons) for $20 from www.slickproductsusa.com. You can also watch a video of the product in action at…