Author: Tabitha

Following electric pickups from Ford and General Motors, Stellantis’ Ram division will soon announce its first battery-electric hauler. The Ram 1500 Revolution — shown only a teaser image — is lurking in the shadows. From what The Sleuth can tell, the pickup has a unique nose with dual headlight forks on each side (in place of LED pods) separated by an illuminated Ram logo. The Revolution will come with at least two electric motors — front and rear — along with a robust battery pack that Ram claims will provide up to 500 miles of range. If true, that would…

There are plenty of rumors surrounding future Corvette variants, but one cold, hard, fact recently emerged: The E-Ray hybrid is due sometime in 2023 as a 2024 model and will use a similar wide-body style as the 2023 Z06 model. The E-Ray is expected to get the 6.2-liter V-8 from base Stingray model but will deliver much more than that model’s 495 horsepower thanks to two — or possibly three – electric motors attached to the front and rear wheels. It’s rumored that the E-Ray will generate in excess of 600 horsepower while offering significantly better fuel economy than gasoline-only…

The funky little hatchback that arrived for 2018 is expected to be replaced by the C-HR Prologue in 2023 as a 2024 model. Unlike the original C-HR that runs with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the second-generation vehicle will offer an optional plug-in hybrid system like other Toyotas do, such as the Prius and the RAV-4. Assuming the C-HR Prologue resembles the concept version, the design will be much more radical than that of the current edition. The replacement for the Toyota C-HR will offer a hybrid option and, clearly, the design will be more radical. PHOTO: TOYOTA

The four-year-old Vietnam-based automaker recently exported 999 VF 8 EVs to a port near Los Angeles, Calif. Why only 999? Because the number nine is considered lucky in Vietnam. The five-passenger VF 8’s dual electric motors make up to 402 horsepower. The follow-on VF 9, with three rows of seats, is slated to arrive in the first quarter of 2023 and will use the same power system as the VF 8. Unique to all VinFast models arriving here (five are expected by 2025) will be their lithium-ion battery packs that are leased separately from the vehicles. That will likely remove…

The automaker has confirmed what was thought to be a rumor: It will produce the 911 Dakar, named after infamous 2,500-mile Paris-Dakar race that Porsche won about 10,000 years ago in 1984. Based on the all-wheel-drive 911 Carrera 4S, the Dakar gets a 443-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder and an eight-speed paddle-shift transmission. The ride height is significantly raised to handle a variety of off-road surfaces such as gravel, snow and sand. The 911 Dakar pays homage to Porsche’s win at the Paris-Dakar rally nearly 40 years ago. Does anyone remember that?PHOTO: PORSCHE

One of the world’s first hybrid brands has maintained a steady following throughout the years, despite being handicapped by questionable styling. The Sleuth thinks the new Toyota Prius, set to arrive in the spring as a 2024 model, rectifies that issue. The rounded “hammerhead” nose fronts a steeply raked windshield that provides a sporty appearance. The base Prius comes with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine plus an electric motor that produce a net 193 horsepower. The optional 220-horsepower plug-in hybrid model uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The current Prius makes 120 horsepower. A panoramic moonroof is standard in the new car, while…

Lengthy car trips can be hard on the back. Before setting out on the road, consider the ObusForme Rechargeable Shiatsu Back Cushion. The cordless product provides heated or non-heated massage for your upper back, lower back or full back. A Shiatsu massage therapist uses fingers, thumbs and their palms to apply pressure, so the ObusForme simulates this with rotating massage “nodes.” There’s also a vibrating function. Each of the three settings has a separate controller. When fully charged, the ObusForme provides up to 60 minutes of massage. The product sells for a wide range of prices from various online sources…

Storing a vehicle takes up valuable garage real estate and if you store it in a facility such as a warehouse — which can be pricey — you don’t have handy access. But what about your driveway or backyard? CarCapsule sells a variety of indoor and outdoor bubbles — not tents or a portable shelters — to keep vehicles clean and protected. The outdoor CarCapsule is available in a new camouflage color scheme (18 feet), while noncamo versions come in sizes ranging from 10 to 24 feet. So, how does it work? Position the vehicle on the base mat, zip…

The automaker’s fourth-generation utility vehicle, which arrives for 2023, sticks with the familiar three rows of seats and V-6 engine, but the design is more muscular, especially the grille and bumper. The Pilot is also longer and wider than before, and the distance between the front and rear wheels has increased by nearly three inches. Output for the 3.5-liter V-6 increases five horsepower to 285, and a 10-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous nine-speed. A new Trailsport trim gets a bit more ground clearance (thanks to off-road suspension components) and an exclusive Trail Mode setting adjusts the all-wheel-drive’s torque distribution.…

The BMW i7 xDrive60 arrives for 2023 and resembles the gasoline-powered 7-series sedan. The front and rear electric motors produce a net 536 horsepower and 549 pound-feet of twisting force (torque). When hooked to a DC fast-charging station, the i7 xDrive60 charges at rate of about 80 miles of range for every 10 minutes, according to BMW. It’s rated at the equivalent of 87 mpg in the city and 92 mpg on the highway. Naturally there’s an excess of luxury content, but among the options are power-adjustable reclining rear chairs, semi-autonomous (hands-free) driving system and a 31.3-inch rear entertainment screen…