Author: Tabitha
The Ram (Dodge) Power Wagon began life as a military-spec, off-road-capable four-wheel-drive truck, However, over the ensuing decades, it has evolved into little more than a special-equipment designation. The Spymaster now hears that, for the 2017 model year, the Power Wagon will get its own distinctive grille that’s similar to the one used by the light-duty Ram Rebel. The Power Wagon will be available only as a 2500 Series (three-quarter ton) four-door Crew Cab body. The big pickup will come equipped with Bilstein-brand shocks and a two-inch lift kit that provides a maximum 14.3 inches of ground clearance. In addition,…
According to The Sleuth’s usually reliable sources, Kia from Korea will introduce a sleek and sexy four-door “coupe” that will draw inspiration from the Novo concept car that was displayed at the 2015 Seoul (Korea) Auto Show. Unlike the current front-wheel-drive Optima sedan, the to-be-named addition to the lineup will be built on the same rear-wheel-drive platform as the 2017 Hyundai Genesis G70 sedan. Hyundai is Kia’s parent company. Power will consist of both turbocharged and non-turbo four-cylinder engines along with a non-turbo V6. Kia plans to have the car ready to go by the spring of 2017 as a…
The Sleuth hears that the Blue Oval automaker will be very selective as to who is allowed to purchase its upcoming supercar. That means that, along with having sufficient funds (an estimated $400,000), buyers will be vetted for their social media status as well as their willingness to actually drive the car and not seal it inside some climate-controlled cocoon for speculation. Along that line, they will have to agree to maintain ownership for a specific length of time and not try flipping their GTs for what would likely be huge profits. Even with these restrictions in place, The Spy…
Installing aftermarket seat covers is a good way to protect your interior from spills and general wear and tear, but the line of G.E.A.R. covers from Smittybilt will do a lot more than that. Each cover comes with a variety of specialized pockets and storage spots to keep your valuables safe and dry. Although the product is designed primarily for the Jeep Wrangler, Smittybilt also makes universal-fit versions in a variety of colors, including camouflage. Each seat cover sells for $100-$150 and can be purchased through several online stores, including ebay.com. For a complete list of bricks-and-mortar outlets, check out…
In case your car isn’t equipped with a blind-spot warning system (popular on new vehicles) the patented Allview Mirror System (AMS) is a compelling alternative. The manufacturer states that the AMS is unlike an image-distorting convex mirror (the one that states “Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear”). The flat, panoramic surface of the AMS increases your rearward field of vision, without any distortion, to a point where you’re able to observe multiple lanes of traffic without turning your head to check the outside mirrors. In turn this allows you to more safely merge and change lanes. The AMS…
The most energy efficient car sold in the United States for the third consecutive year represents ‘something of a revolution’ for the whole auto industry. The 2016 BMW i3 hatchback has advanced technology in spades, a body structure made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and a fully electric powertrain that can be ordered with an optional two-cylinder range-extending gasoline engine, reports auto info Web site, The Car Connection. Meant to provide quiet, all-electric transport for those living in congested urban centers, the BMW i3 is absolutely the most calming, soothing vehicle we’ve driven in truly chaotic rush-hour traffic. The BMW i3 can…
Kia focused on its ‘Green Car Roadmap’ at the recent Chicago auto show, displaying hybrid and plug-in vehicles, including its much-anticipated production version of the 2017 Niro compact tall wagon. Based on an all-new eco-car platform that the automaker plans to use as its electrified vehicle base going forward, Kia says its goal is to use the platform to triple its electrified lineup by 2020.The Niro’s equally all-new gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain showcases the direction Kia is taking with electrification. The new platform is engineered specifically to offer lighter weight and greater strength for heavier hybrid and plug-in powertrains without adding…
When using a floor jack, have you ever whacked the handle against the side of the vehicle? It can bite hard and leave a nasty gash, but it’s a problem that could be reduced or eliminated with Gaither’s Handle Protector. Slipping one of these colorful, non-slip synthetic rubber shields over the jack handle is cheap insurance against vehicular damage. The Handle Protector is especially important in a commercial garage environment when working on, or around, customer cars. Or for about $15 each through a number of auto supply retailers, including www.uniquetruck.com.
Carbon fiber is used in the construction of strong, lightweight components. It has also turned into a fashionable way to dress up a vehicle and that’s where Dupli-Color Carbon Fiber Kit comes in. The company’s two-step spray-on paint process consists of a base coat of graphite metallic followed by a patented finishing coat called Dimensional Effex that actually makes the finish look like carbon fiber and adds a glossy, 3D-like protective finish. The kit works on both metal and plastic surfaces, but for the latter Dupli-Color recommends you apply the special adhesion promoter. The kit can be purchased at most…
The 2016 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell sedan will sport a fuel-cell stack that is 33 percent more hydrogen compact, yet 60 percent more power dense than the one in the FCX concept car that became the Clarity. Honda says the new stack fits fully under the hood, allowing more passenger space inside. Range is expected to exceed 300 miles and refueling time is claimed to be less than five minutes. Says auto news and enthusiast magazine, AutoWeek, Òthis thing is starting to sounds suspiciously like a regular car.Ó The Clarity goes on sale late 2016, at first only in California.…