Author: Tabitha
Traditional bicycle racks can be cumbersome, but if your car has a hatchback or liftgate, the Hornet by SeaSucker is a simple way to transport a two-wheeler. The product consists of two vacuum-style suction cups that attach to your vehicle’s rear window. Mounting straps secure the bicycle by the handlebars to the suction cups (one for each side). The bicycle rests upside down with the seat against the car, unsecured. Each cup has a pull-strength rating of 120 pounds (maximum bicycle weight is 35 pounds), but the Hornet also has a strap that connects the bicycle frame to the hatch,…
A Florida-based company manufacturers unique pool tables that resemble the original Shelby GT 350, the 1959 Chevrolet Corvette and the 1969 Camaro (SS or Z/28). Its most recent creation is the Mario Andretti Signature 1969 Camaro Pace Car Pool table that celebrates the 50th anniversary of his victory at the 1969 Indianapolis 500. The Camaro-shaped and decaled four-by- eight-foot slate table is molded in fiberglass from an actual Camaro, comes with working headlights and tail lamps and sits on authentic-looking wheels. There will be just 50 built at $25,000 each. Reserve yours at www.carpooltables.com.
If you become stranded on the side of the road at night, it’s important for everyone’s safety to be seen by other drivers. The EzyFlare is a simple-to-use electronic device that gives off bright rotating and flashing LED signals, which can be seen up to 8,000 feet away. The eight-inch-tall light is waterproof and is considered safer than traditional flares since there is zero risk of the unit causing a fire or burning anyone. A two-flare-pack retails for $35 — you supply the four AA batteries (that provide up to 12 hours of operation) — and can be purchased from…
It always gets The Sleuth’s full attention when the world’s best-selling pickup gets a major updating. For 2021, the new-look Ford F-150’s trim levels and powertrain lineup return, including three gasoline V-6s (all but one turbocharged), a non-turbo V-8 and one V-6 turbo-diesel. New, however, is a hybrid option with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 and an electric motor built into the 10-speed automatic transmission. There’s no word as to the horsepower or torque rating, although Ford says the system will out-muscle every other pickup in its class. Also claimed is up to 700 miles of range on a tank of…
The Sleuth has learned that the automaker is readying a serious contender to the Volkswagen GTI and the upcoming Toyota Corolla GR that’s also expected for the 2021 model year. The Mazda3 hot hatch will be available with a turbocharged four-cylinder, most likely the same 2.5-liter engine available in the Mazda6 sedan and the CX-5 and CX-9 utility vehicles. It those applications, it delivers 227 horsepower (250 horses using premium-grade fuel) and 310 pound-feet of torque. Model designation for the turbo Mazda3 is not known, but The Sleuth thinks now would be a perfect opportunity to revive the Mazdaspeed brand…
Whether you’re camping or spending a day at the beach, bring along the Road Shower 4 solar shower system from Yakima. The product consists of a powder-coated aluminum tube that attaches to your vehicle’s roof rack. The seven gallons of water (enough for three to four showers) you add to the tube from a standard garden hose can be pressurized (up to 65 pounds per square inch) by attaching a bicycle pump or tire inflator to the relief valve. The attached 55-inch hose and nozzle releases the contents when needed. An LCD display shows the water’s temperature. The Road Shower…
Many people use a regular water bucket when washing their vehicles, however each time you rinse the sponge or cloth, you’re likely to actually pick up dirt and other deposits that can scratch the paint. The Cyclone DirtTrap bucket insert from Chemical Guys helps prevent that from happening. When positioned on the bottom of the bucket (it actually rests on legs about an inch or so above the base), the DirtTrap’s hundreds of funnels capture the nasty abrasives and keep them away from the water. Order one or more Cyclone DirtTraps — available in green, red, blue or black —…
For the 2021 model year, the hot-selling Rogue compact utility vehicle will get a cleaner grille design and less exaggerated front and rear fender openings. Riding on a new platform, the 2021 Rogue is 1.5 inches shorter and has a slightly lower height. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine returns from 2020, but with 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, which is up from 170/175. There’s no word on a possible hybrid option. As was previously the case, a continuously variable transmission sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel-drive is an option and includes driver-selectable Off Road, Snow, Eco and Sport…
The Sleuth has it on good authority that the next iteration of the automaker’s midsize sedan, expected for 2022, will be built on a new and longer (by a few inches) platform and will offer both rear and optional all-wheel-drive systems. In addition, the Mazda6 will be the recipient of an inline six-cylinder gasoline engine that uses a combination of compression-ignition technology (similar to a diesel engine) plus a 48-volt battery and electric motor that adds torque when needed, such as when launching from a stop and passing on the highway. The engine (called Skyactiv-X) is expected to produce about…
A refresh of the Colorado midsize pickup for 2021 will mean a front end that more closely resembles that of the bigger Silverado, which is a subtle but definite improvement. The off-road-capable ZR2 gets its own grille to differentiate it from the WT, LT and Z71 trims. Returning for 2021 is the Colorado’s trio of engines, consisting of a base 200-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 and a 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel with 186 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Pricing is expected to begin at $26,400 including destination charges. The restyled Colorado, above, looks a bit more like the…