Author: Tabitha
That’s a distinct possibility since your Intrepid Sneakster became aware that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has renewed its trademark of the Ford Mustang-competing pony-car brand that was sold from 1964 to the end of the 1974 model year. During that time the Barracuda was attached to Chrysler’s Plymouth division, but rumors have persisted for years that the next-generation Dodge Challenger will shrink in size and become known as either the Chrysler or Dodge Barracuda. Given that Dodge has become the undisputed domestic horsepower brand (with the 707-horsepower Hellcat Challenger and Charger), The Sleuth believes the latter choice is the likeliest. This…
Dutch students have developed a family car that’s solar powered and generates more energy than it uses. The Stella Lux, developed by a group of 21 students from the Eindhoven University of Technology, seats four adults and is designed to be efficient, intelligent and comfortable; the project’s aim was to create “the car of the future.” Besides generating electricity through 62 square feet of solar cells, it carries an additional 15 kilowatts of battery capacity. With a full charge, it has a range in excess of 600 miles and a top speed of 78 mph. It will compete in the…
Ford did more to enhance the fuel efficiency of its full-size 2015 F-150 pickup than constructing it largely of aluminum, making it about 700 pounds lighter than the model it replaced. The company also paid close attention to the truck’s aerodynamics, including building in “air curtains” that help smooth airflow around the vehicle. Horizontal slots below the headlights channel air through ducting in the wheel wells, expelling it across the outer surfaces of the front wheels and tires. The system, first introduced on the 2015 Ford Mustang, reduces the drag created by the turning tires and wheels. Other aerodynamic details…
A must-have item for every vehicle owner is Rescue Tape, which is a silicon-based, self-fusing product with extreme strength. Wrap it around a hose to plug various leaks under the hood, use it for temporary repairs to metal (such as brake lines) and create a waterproof barrier around electrical connections. The manufacturer claims it can even serve as an emergency fan belt. Wet, dirty or oily surfaces will not affect its performance and Rescue Tape will adhere to surfaces up to 500 F. There’s no gummy residue once it has been removed since it lacks an adhesive-backed surface. Rescue Tape…
California-based Kitzrieg produces build-it-yourself kits of Porsche’s original Speedster roadster and 550 Spyder, but they also sell a version of the Porsche 356A coupe that was originally built from 1956-’59. Each basic kit comes with a hand-laid fiberglass body, racing-style tube frame, all suspension and steering components, four-wheel disc brakes, wiring harness, complete interior plus all necessary trim and hardware. You supply the air-cooled engine of your choice and figure out your own paint. The Speedster or Spyder kits start at $10,000, while the coupe version sells for $15,000. Get full details at www.kitzkrieg.com.
The Golden State has added income-based caps to its rebates for electric cars and plug-in hybrids. As of July 1, the subsidies buyers receive are being determined by income, says auto research and sales source Cars Direct.com. Previously under the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, buyers received incentives of $1,500 for plug-in hybrids and $2,500 for electric cars across the board. Now, lower-income buyers will get more when they buy certain EV models: as much as $3,000 for a plug-in hybrid, $4,000 for an electric car and $6,500 for a hydrogen fuel-cell car. Perhaps it sounded ludacris that someone who…
July 4 has always been a red-letter date for the FIAT 500. The original FIAT 500 was introduced on July 4, 1957. Fifty years later, on July 4, 2007, FIAT introduced the modern FIAT 500, which embodied much of the spirit and personality of the original. And on July 4, 2015, FIAT unveiled a “refreshed” 500. “It has not grown in size, but in maturity,” with advanced technologies, improved efficiency and more customization ideas, FIAT relayed in a press release. Available in two body styles, hatchback and convertible, it offers three trim levels: Pop, Pop Star and Lounge. All models…
This could only happen in Sin City, opines The Sleuth. A soon-to-be-completed attraction located just a few minutes from the Las Vegas, Nev., strip will provide the opportunity to test-drive a variety of exotic German Italian, and North American high performance cars on a Formula One-racing-inspired road course. Speedvegas is a 100-acre facility that will begin siphoning dollars that would otherwise be spent in the city’s casinos beginning in early 2016. The facility will be competing with the Richard Petty Driving Experience located at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway as well as Dream Racing (also located at LVMS). The latter…
The CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) wants Alfa Romeo to rival BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz in popularity among the well-heeled car buyers. For North Americans, the 2015 4C sports car is just the tip of Alfa’s spear. Up next will be the Giulia (say Julia out loud) that will launch in 2016 (one of eight planned new models that Alfa plans to release by 2018). The Giulia, a sporty little sedan, is aimed squarely at the BMW 3-Series and the performance M3 offshoot. The Giulia represents one heck of a moon shot for Alfa Romeo, but the recently…
At least that’s what Your Obedient Gumshoe is hearing. Despite lagging sales, there’s no talk that Scion’s FR-S rear-wheel-drive sports coupe will get the axe anytime soon (Subaru’s plans for the nearly identical BRZ are uncertain, but are thought to include an eventual replacement also). In fact, the automaker is already thinking about a replacement that would borrow Mazda’s new MX-5 architecture. Toyota certainly is not averse to working with Mazda since the forthcoming 2016 Mazda2 subcompact’s bones will form the basis for the upcoming Scion iA sedan. Whatever eventuality, both Scion and Subie coupes will likely remain in their…