Author: Tabitha

Researchers for the United States Department of Energy have 3D-printed a small dwelling and an electric vehicle that can power each other. A team at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee developed the world’s first “working level bi-directional power system.” The building sports a flexible 3.2-kilowatt solar voltaic system – dubbed AIME (for Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy) – paired with electric-vehicle batteries, providing renewable power generation and storage. Energy can flow in either direction between the vehicle and the house via a wireless transfer system. In one direction, the platform can charge the car battery and in the other…

British MG (for Morris Garages) roadsters from the 1930s to the late 1970s have become prized collector items. Fans of the brand can now wear replica MG grilles on their wrists in the form of a MeisterSinger watch. It features a silver case with a stylized grille in honor of the MG TD, which was a roadster produced from 1950-’53. Also featured is MG’s slogan “Safety Fast” on the stainless-steel face. The available watch models include the Abingdon (named for MG’s plant locale in England), the Cecil Kimber (one of MG’s early managers) and a third version done up with…

If you lend your car to friends or family members, especially to inexperienced drivers, you’ll want to have one of these. The GPS Tracking Key from LandAirSea Systems will record the whereabouts of your car for up to two weeks. The device will also track the route your vehicle has taken, the stops it makes (including addresses and length of time between stops) and also calculates average speeds. The Tracking Key can be hidden anywhere inside the passenger compartment, or with its powerful magnet, can be attached to any metal surface including body panels, frame, etc. After retrieval, you plug…

By COURTNEY HANSEN www.wheelbasemedia.com If you’re an automotive enthusiast, and even if you aren’t, you’ve undoubtedly heard about car-customizing legend George Barris who recently died at age 89. I had been enamored with his cars, read about him for years and had the good fortune of meeting him at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) automotive show in Las Vegas, Nev., in 2004. SEMA is all about customizing vehicles and George was right at home there.  Over the years, we became close friends. Knowing him was an honor, a whole lot of fun, and I am among the multitude of…

To properly secure your dog when hitting the road, consider a Kurgo Tru Fit Smart Harness. This product is made with the same webbed material used to make seatbelts. In addition the adjustable padded chest plate adds an extra measure of doggie safety and comfort. The harness can also be used when taking your pet outside for a walk. And with the optional zip line, your dog can still safely roam around the back seat. The Smart Harness alone retails for $25, while the zip line is a $25 option. Check out Kurgo’s complete line of canine restraint systems at…

Loosening seized or rusted nuts and bolts from engine, brake and suspension components can be a real pain. In many cases a torch is needed to free up these parts, which can damage nearby components, or cause a fire. Those problems are virtually eliminated with the Mini-Ductor II from Induction Innovations, Inc. It works by creating intense, but localized heat directly around the part in mere seconds, thanks to its 1,000 watts of power. Additionally, the built-in LED light lets you see exactly what you’re doing. The basic kit retails for around $460 from authorized retailers and online resellers including…

More details have been leaked to The Sneakster concerning the 2017 Ford F-150-based Raptor 4×4 pickup. Although the big dune-busting rig won’t have a big V8 like the previous SVT Raptor did, it will come with a version of Ford’s twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that produces more than 450 horsepower (speculation has it at closer to 475) and way more torque than the old SVT Raptor’s 434 pound-feet number. Combined with an estimated 500-pound weight reduction, the new Raptor should outdistance the previous model in every respect. A 10-speed automatic transmission will be standard, as will a full assortment of brand-name…

The Impreza impresses The Sleuth with its combination of comfort and capable all-wheel-drive powertrain. Now he sees signs that the Impreza’s styling is about to get a major shot in the arm. At the recent Tokyo (Japan) Motor Show, Subaru presented two concept models that portend the next-generation model and also appear to indicate that the popular XV Crosstrek might be given more distinctive sheetmetal to further differentiate itself from the model on which it’s based. The Spymaster also hears that the gas-electric hybrid Crosstrek is in for significant change in the form of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine powering the…

Electric motorcycles have made large advances in a short time, and they continue to get ever better. California-based Zero Motorcycles’ 2016 range of virtually silent two-wheelers grows to five distinct rides from three, ranging from street and dual-sport models to an off-road dirt bike. Rather than re-invent the wheel, so to speak, Zero has gone the improvement route, with an all-new motor and increased battery efficiency for longer range and higher capacities across the board, reports emerging-technologies Web magazine, Gizmag. Riding the outgoing models hard for a day could cause them to overheat, tripping a thermal management mode that cuts…

An electric transit bus that can serve any typical transit route in the United States has been developed by Proterra of Greenville, S.C. The company says its Catalyst XR model achieved 258 miles on a single charge circulating a test track at 30 mph, giving it the best efficiency rating ever for a 40-foot bus, almost 100 miles more than China’s BYD electric bus. The bus tested was fitted with a new generation of storage technology developed by Proterra and comprised eight battery packs. The body is aerodynamically designed and made from lightweight carbon fiber and other advanced composite materials.…