Author: Tabitha

A continuous updating of the automaker’s lineup includes the seven-passenger tall wagon that slots between the full-size Armada and the five-passenger Murano. The 2022 Pathfinder is larger overall than the outgoing version, with more third-row legroom, but the distance between the front and rear wheels remains unaltered. The blockier styling appears similar to that of the smaller Rogue, which was redesigned for 2021. The Pathfinder’s 284-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 carries over, but a nine-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous continuously variable unit. The new-look interior’s touch-screen and gauges have a more premium look, which should help entice buyers to the brand.…

Keeping your vehicle’s interior clean is an ongoing process that can be made a whole lot easier with The Carrand AutoSpa Interior Car Detail Duster. This handy item’s chenille microfibers are claimed to find their way into tight spots such as cup holders and pockets, and they can also tackle larger surfaces. The product is designed to grab dust instead of just pushing it and depositing it somewhere else. The Car Detail Duster is compact enough to store inside most glove boxes. Grab one for less than $11 from www.amazon.com.

Here’s a must-read true adventure story that’s worthy of a Hollywood script. “Collision Course: Carlos Ghosn and the Culture Wars That Upended an Auto Empire” is authored by journalists Hans Greimel and William Sposato. The 256-pager focuses on the events leading up to the former Nissan chairman’s arrest in Japan in November 2018 and his subsequent and truly remarkable escape to Lebanon, where he currently remains a fugitive. Purchase the hardcover edition for $22 or the Kindle version for $26 from www.amazon.com.

If you feel the need for speed on two wheels, investigate the latest the electric-bicycle offerings from Porsche. Both the Cross and Sport models come with carbon-fiber frames, heat-resistant hydraulic disc brakes and Shimano EP8 electric motors, 12-gear-shifting systems, plus speed and distance displays. Each bike weighs about 48 pounds and can travel at speeds up 16 mph. The Cross, which is designed more for trail use, gets knobby tires, better brakes and a special Crankbrothers Highline seat. Prices start at $8,500. Full details and ordering info are available at www.shop/porsche.com.

If you’re a car buff, you might have noticed George Trosley’s artwork in various enthusiast magazines dating back to the 1960s. They include CARtoons, Car Craft and Street Rodder, to name just a few. Now the man himself, who had been drawing professionally since he was 22, is passing on his tips and tricks in “Trosley’s How To Draw Cartoon Cars.” His step-by-step instructional guide teaches about sketching hot rods, racecars and muscle cars as well as components such as engines and wheels. You’ll also learn how to add custom graphics and colour schemes to each rendering. Purchase the Kindle…

The 370Z’s replacement will officially debut in August, which is none-too-soon for fans of the brand. Dubbed the 400Z, the hatchback sport coupe’s design will likely remain true to the Z Proto concept shown last year. The design was apparently influenced by the original 240Z. Thrust for the rear-wheel-drive 400Z comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 originally developed for the Infiniti Q50 and Q60 Red Sport models (Nissan is the parent company of Infiniti). The engine is rated at 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, while a seven-speed automatic will be optional.…

Most 2021 model-year vehicles were introduced some time ago, but for some reason Ford only recently opened the ordering process for the SuperCrew version of Raptor pickup. This is now the only cab style offered. As before, there’s a 450-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6, but there are a number of underbody modifications. They include new Fox-brand shocks and 24-inch coil springs at all four corners for added wheel travel over rough surfaces, plus new rear suspension components. Raptor pricing starts at $65,850, including destination charges. For 2022, the Raptor R with a supercharged V-8 is expected to join the lineup. The…

Spreadshirt provides a wide assortment of T-shirt styles and automotive designs for people of all ages and sizes. Most of the company’s designs use Fruit of the Loom shirts, which are made from pre-shrunk 100-percent cotton. Each one has double-stitched seams at shoulder, sleeve, collar and waist to help them retain their shape. Prices range from about $19 to $30, depending on the artwork. Check out the variety at www.spreadshirt.com.

When a car seat doesn’t provide enough lower back support, that’s when the SpinePRO comes in handy. It is designed to help keep you seated in an upright position by properly supporting the lower portion of your spine where aches and pains occur. The SpinePRO’s unique vertical control is adjustable with a dial, allowing you to literally lock in the right amount of comfort to suit your needs. The $125 product’s compact size means you can move it to any other vehicle or use with your office chair, for example. View the excellent product video at www.myspinestore.com.

The automaker stopped making small trucks after the original Ranger was cancelled a decade ago. The Ranger name returned for 2020 attached to a midsize model. For 2022, the new Maverick becomes Ford’s smallest (close to a foot shorter than the Ranger) and least expensive hauler. The unitized (frameless) platform originally developed for the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport underpins the four-door, five-passenger Maverick. It comes with a 4.5-foot-long bed and a cargo capacity of 1,500 pounds. The Maverick’s standard hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. The system generates 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet…