Author: Tabitha

The Spy Guy thinks that crossover “coupes” are about to become mainstream. The movement began a few years back with the BMW X6 (a fastback version of the X5) and has gradually spread to other high-end models from Mercedes-Benz and Audi. It now appears, however, that VW will introduce a similar version of its Atlas tall wagon, called the Atlas Cross Sport. Although only about three inches shorter than the Atlas, the Cross Sport seats five passengers in two rows of seats (one row less than the Atlas), mainly due to the headroom-reducing sloped roofline. A turbocharged four-cylinder and optional…

Internet delivery service Amazon has ordered 100,000 custom-built electric vans to be delivered by 2030 from EV startup Rivian of Michigan. The “last-mile” delivery vans will be built at an Illinois factory that once made Mitsubishi vehicles. The first 10,000 vehicles are to be delivered and in service by 2022, reports online news service Axios. “It’s the latest vote of confidence in the red-hot electric-vehicle maker.” Major investors in the company have committed nearly $1.9 billion, including $700 million from Amazon. Although they share the same battery, electric networks and powertrain as Rivian’s own pickup trucks and SUVs, the electric…

Automotive-industry electronics and parts supplier Bosch says it has received orders for electromobility related parts and systems worth more than US $14 billion since the beginning of 2018. Bosch is fast-tracking electrification, including producing electric powertrains and spending research and development monies on automated driving, fuel-cell production and mobility technologies, reports Charged Electric Vehicles Magazine. Bosch spends almost half a billion U.S. dollars a year on emissions-free mobility. It estimates that by 2030 that 75 percent of vehicles on the road will still use internal-combustion engines, “so it’s also working on more efficient gas and diesel engines.” The company intends…

Electric GT, a company specializing in electric-vehicle conversions, is developing a “crate” motor that’s roughly the same size and shape as a gasoline V-8 engine and is completely self-contained. The basic single-motor version makes 140 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor setup increases output to 240 horsepower and 340 pound-feet. Each kit comes with a wiring harness, coolant lines, DC power converter and other accessories. Perhaps the neatest aspect of the motor is that it will connect to your vehicle’s existing transmission via a special coupling. To complete the conversion you’ll need to source your own battery…

Some cars provide only minimal interior light when you need it most, and dome lights seem to be a thing of the past. A cure for this is the Starlight magnetic rechargeable LED reading light. It works by sticking a metal pad to the headliner with two-sided tape (claimed to not damage the surface) and then attaching the magnetized light. Once the light is in place, press to turn it on and off. Recharging the light’s lithium-ion battery is done via USB cable. Because the light is portable, it has many other uses inside the car or home. The case…

Any car nut will have a few pictures/posters of their favorite classic and/or competition cars hanging on the walls around the house. If this describes you or someone you know, check out the collection of historic-racing-car posters produced by illustrator Arthur Schening of Schening Creative. The subjects in his collection include such notables as the Ford GT40, Jaguar D-Type, Ferrari 250 GTO, Lotus 49 and Chaparral 2D, to name only a few. Each of Schening’s 33- by- 19-inch illustrations are printed on thick uncoated cover stock and sell for $35 each (plus shipping), or $95 for his limited-edition 24- by-…

For the connoisseur of the game of chess who is also into all things automotive — and who also appreciates the finer things in life — the unique Custom Chess Set from Ceiba Racing Technologies just might make the perfect play. The 32 chess pieces, from pawns to the king and queen, have been specially crafted from cylinder-head valves and finished in either a black nitride or chrome coating. The set also includes a polished custom granite chessboard. The set sells for $3,500 from www.ceibaracingtech.com.

That’s what The Sleuth is wondering after hearing about the new High Performance Package available for the 2020 Mustang’s base 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Thanks to some engine tweaking, output increases to 322 horsepower from 310. According to Ford, the upgraded turbo will take the Mustang to 60 mph from zero in about 4.5 seconds when linked to the optional 10-speed automatic transmission. That’s just a few ticks slower than the 460-horsepower Mustang GT, which costs roughly $4,000 more, is 200 pounds heavier (much of that weight is over the front wheels) and uses more gasoline. Other High Performance Package…

Rumors abound concerning the future of Toyota’s rear-wheel-drive coupe that was created in conjunction with the Subaru BRZ. Contrary to many pundits, the 86 won’t be phased out now that the 2020 Supra has arrived, but word is the next 86 will be built on Toyota’s New Global Architecture that underpins several of the brand’s vehicles. Also expected is a Toyota-built 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that would add about 35 more horsepower to the 86’s current 205 horses. Subaru, on the other hand, is expected produce an all-wheel-drive BRZ that uses one of its own 2.0-liter powerplants. Expect the next…