Author: Tabitha
The Smarthome Select Laser Parking System takes care of parking woes by ensuring that you consistently park your car in the same spot every time. When attached to your garage ceiling, the motion sensor fires off a light beam as you approach. When it hits a pre-selected spot on the hood of your car, it indicates that you’ve parked in exactly the right spot. The single-car garage system sells for about $15 while the two-car garage model retails for $20. You’ll find both at www.smarthome.com.
At close to $300,000, the McLaren 720S sports car might be above your price range, but for about $400 you can order a junior-size version for your child, aged 3-6. Available through McLaren dealers, the 720S Ride-On, which has a top speed of three mph, comes with working LED headlights and taillights, scissor-style doors and a remote (parental) controller. When the accelerator pedal is depressed, the electric motor makes sounds that mimic the larger 720S’s 710-horsepower 4.0-liter V-8. Also included is an infotainment system — with USB and SD ports — that can play pre-programmed music or short video selections.…
For the past 25 years, B.R.M. (the initials stand for Bernard Richards Manufacture and not the British Racing Motors team from the mid 1950s) has been producing watches with a focus on racing. From its factory in France, the company makes about 2,000 timepieces a year. One of its limited-production models (just 100 pieces) is the BRM BT6-46 Gulf watch. Made using mostly titanium, the 46-millimeter watch features the colors of the Gulf Oil Company that was the primary sponsor of the GT-40-based Mirage and Porsche’s 917 racing teams from the 1960s and ’70s. That theme carries through to the…
For those wintry times when maximum traction is required for short distances on icy roads, consider keeping a can of Tyre-Grip in your vehicle. Spraying the product, which has been described as “pine sap in a can,” on your tires will, according to the manufacturer, give you up to 300 percent more traction while at the same time preventing snow, mud and gravel from adhering to the tread. Each application will last for up to 50 miles. You can buy a 16-ounce spray can of Tyre-Grip (good for several applications) for $18 from the manufacturer at www.tyre-grip.com.
The Sleuth’s intel gatherers have uncovered news of the first significant change to Fiat’s tiniest member since it first arrived in North America for the 2012 model year. Although details remain sketchy, the 2020 500 will be restyled at both ends, but will increase in size only slightly. Also anticipated is Fiat’s latest 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 177 horsepower in the all-wheel-drive 500X. It’s likely to be exclusive to the sporty Abarth model while the rest of the lineup carries over with the 135-horsepower turbo 1.4-liter four-cylinder. The electric 500e that’s currently available in California and a few…
Chevrolet spent more than a couple of years whetting enthusiasts’ appetites for the new mid-engine Corvette through numerous detail leaks and photos of camouflaged test vehicles. With the car’s recent reveal, however, the information floodgates have now been opened wide and with it the ability to head online and fiddle with what’s called the Corvette Visualizer. The 360-degree interactive page at www.chevrolet.com provides a complete 3D view of the car’s interior and exterior so you can examine every angle, select any of the available colors and share what you’ve designed with other ’Vette enthusiasts. Once the option picks have been…
The new mid-engine eighth-generation (C8) sports car is beginning to show up at events across the country, both in new videos and in the flesh (although you can’t buy one until later in the year). The excitement is easy to understand: The 495-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 is in the back of the car, which is the first time for any Corvette. There is no manual transmission for the rear-wheel-drive machine, but it uses an eight-speed automated manual with paddle shifters. Chevrolet claims the Stingray — its for-real name — can sprint to 60 mph from zero in less than three seconds.…
The Sleuth is disappointed that the Honda e electric small car that goes on sale in Japan for 2020 won’t be heading to North America, but all hope is not lost. He hears there are plans afoot to introduce a number of electrified and pure electric models here in the next few years. Currently, the midsize Clarity Electric sedan is the only one of its type the company offers, but only on lease in California and Oregon. As well, the vehicle’s 89-mile maximum range is not on par with competing electrics on the market. Currently (pun intended) under development by…
For years, carbon fiber has been used to create lighter and stronger body panels and, in some cases, entire car bodies. The material is also found in wheels, such as CF201 series from Forgeline. Each is constructed with a carbon fiber outer rim — or “barrel” — surrounding a forged-aluminum center. The manufacturer claims this process yields a wheel that’s light (the barrel weighs 40 percent less than aluminum) for improved acceleration, braking, traction and ride quality. Fuel economy is yet another benefit. The CF201, which is designed specifically for street use, comes in 20- and 21-inch sizes and in…
There really is nothing quite like the auto-themed art that Michigan-based David Chapple creates. His work extends well beyond paintings, prints and sculptures of classic sports and racing cars (he produces those, as well) to include tables and benches that are nothing short of stunning. Each one is custom made and hand-painted onto handcrafted wood. Chapple’s prices vary according to the work involved, but his tables range from $3,500 to $20,000, while the benches start at $5,500 and can run upward of $9,500. You can see the assortment of Chapple’s unique pieces and contact him for a quote at www.davidchapple.com.