Author: Tabitha

The Sleuth previously reported that the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness — available now — would be joined by a Forester version for the coming model year, and it’s time for the details. As with the Outback, the Forester Wilderness comes with a bit more ground clearance, all-terrain tires mounted on black 17-inch wheels, a skid plate and a surfeit of protective body cladding along the sides. Also installed is a reinforced roof rack that’s strong enough to support a tent and its occupants. Unique interior elements include water-resistant upholstery and special Wilderness trim bits. As found in other Foresters, there’s…

The bold and blocky off-roader with a sky-high price tag is about to add a gasoline-free variant. The almost production-ready EQG concept maintains the G-Class’s general shape, but has four electric motors (one for each wheel). The EQG also gets a driver-controlled two-speed automatic transmission. The body is attached to a separate ladder-type frame that supports the battery pack. An illuminated panel replaces the grille. The EQG, which is expected to launch for 2023, is one of a half-dozen or so previously announced Mercedes-Benz battery-electric models that will begin arriving for the 2022 model year. Battery capacity, vehicle range and…

The infotainment system is operated by way of a touchpad on the centre console, which might not be to everyone’s liking and could prove distracting. Protruding from the dashboard is an 8.0- or available 10.3-inch touch-screen that’s part of the optional navigation system. The standard eight-speaker audio system can be upgraded to a premium 14-speaker Mark Levinson setup with 835 watts. One interesting feature is the optional Active Sound Control that allows you to dial in artificially enhanced (and somewhat raucous) engine noises through the audio system.

The infotainment system is operated by way of a touchpad on the centre console, which might not be to everyone’s liking and could prove distracting. Protruding from the dashboard is an 8.0- or available 10.3-inch touch-screen that’s part of the optional navigation system. The standard eight-speaker audio system can be upgraded to a premium 14-speaker Mark Levinson setup with 835 watts. One interesting feature is the optional Active Sound Control that allows you to dial in artificially enhanced (and somewhat raucous) engine noises through the audio system.

The infotainment system is operated by way of a touchpad on the centre console, which might not be to everyone’s liking and could prove distracting. Protruding from the dashboard is an 8.0- or available 10.3-inch touch-screen that’s part of the optional navigation system. The standard eight-speaker audio system can be upgraded to a premium 14-speaker Mark Levinson setup with 835 watts. One interesting feature is the optional Active Sound Control that allows you to dial in artificially enhanced (and somewhat raucous) engine noises through the audio system.

The Sleuth is scratching his head over this one. The automaker will launch its first electric vehicle for the United States this fall and it will only be sold in California for the time being. For a $34,650 sticker price, the front-wheel-drive MX-30’s motor is rated at 144 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. Mazda estimates a scant 100 miles of range, which could be a major drawback for many potential buyers. Almost all competing battery-electric cars on the market can travel much farther between charges. The question the Sleuth has: Is this the battery-electric that Mazda dealers really need…

With the departure of the basic Golf hatchback after 2021 (leaving only the sporty GTI and R versions, which are being redesigned), the Jetta becomes the starting-point four-door car model in Volkswagen’s lineup. Changes for 2022 include new front and rear designs and new alloy wheels. Interior mods consist primarily of a revised digital instrument cluster with an eight-inch touch-screen, plus standard blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Jetta also gets a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 158 horsepower. That’s slightly more the outgoing turbo-1.4-liter I-4 with its 147 horsepower. Both powerplants make 184 pound-feet of torque. Buyers can…

The current-generation Chevrolet Corvette — yes, the one with the engine in the back — punches well above its price class in terms of performance. Plus you can see the engine beneath the rear glass of the fixed-roof models (the engine is covered for the convertible models). Lingenfelter Performance Engineering now offers the high-performance look of carbon fiber — and more power — with the new Performance Design Carbon pTR Intake Manifold for the 2020 and new Corvette. Lingenfelter claims gains of 25 horsepower at the rear wheels, but using the company’s extra-cost throttle body and the available Corsa-brand exhaust…

The 750-amp RM750 OzCharge super capacitor booster pack from Australia-based RescueMate is claimed to maintain a full charge for up to five years, meaning you don’t have to have it plugged in all the time just in case you need it. Generally speaking, compared with batteries, super capacitors are able to load and unload power at very high rates of transfer. According to the company, the OzCharge can actually recharge off a nearly dead car battery (with as little as three volts) and then boost that battery. “Once the Rescue Mate has charged up from the flat battery, simply press…

People are excited and inquisitive, but also clumsy and careless by nature. How not to be that person and still enjoy the show. By JEFF MELNYCHUK www.wheelbasemedia.com It has been more than a year since COVID-19 gripped the world, essentially ending in-person events, car shows included. As more Canadians are vaccinated, restrictions for gatherings will slowly ease and, one day, car shows will be back in full swing. Logic points to huge attendance as people — tired of looking at the walls of their living rooms — enthusiastically reconnect with normal activity. Also logically, they’ll be out of practice regarding…