Author: Tabitha
There are all sorts of scale-model brands out there, but one of the best has to be Exoto. The company produces extraordinarily detailed representations of both racing and classic cars from the 1950s up to present day. One example is this 1/18th scale Ferrari 500 F2 that is realistic in the extreme, right down to the sparkplug lead wires on the car’s 2.0-liter V-12 engine, the fuzzy bucket seat and the wooden steering wheel. Even tread on the Ferrari’s Pirelli Corsa tires looks period correct. The 1952 short nose and the 1953 long nose Ferraris are available for $1,300 each.…
The Spymaster reports that the automaker’s full-size luxury-sedan nameplate has officially ceased production after 51 years (and eight generations). The plan, however, is to reintroduce the XJ in electrified format to include plug-in hybrid as well as battery-electric models for the 2021 model year. The latter is expected to launch first, using three electric motors and all-wheel-drive. As well, the previous sedan body will give way to a hatchback design not unlike that of the Porsche Panamera. To do this, the next XJ will ride on an all-new platform that it will share with upcoming electrified Land Rover models, including…
Toyota’s premium division unveiled a convertible LC coupe way back in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich. At the time, corporate overseers in attendance claimed the car was only a concept, but The Sleuth believed that what he saw was a production-bound. Sure enough, Lexus recently arrived at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed in England with a pre-production LC convertible. There’s no confirmation yet as to powertrains, but it stands to reason that the coupe’s 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 and 354-horsepower hybrid (V-6 plus electric motor) will also be available in the convertible. The vehicle…
People in need of a modest amount of refrigeration or warming should check out the line of portable systems from Cooluli. For example, the company’s Classic 4L model has a 4.0-liter capacity (4.2 quarts), which is enough to chill up to six 12-ounce beverage cans, your lunch bag, or anything else that’s best kept cold. The unit, which also warms, includes both AC and DC power cords so you can plug into your vehicle or at home, and it has a USB charging cord that attaches to an external power supply. The Classic 4L costs $50, but Cooluli also sells…
One of the best-known auto executives of all time has died, sending publications scrambling to their archives to recount Lee Iacocca’s greatest hits. He joined Ford in 1946 as an engineer before moving into sales and marketing. Among his greatest accomplishments was overseeing the development and launch of the Ford Mustang in 1964. After being fired by Henry Ford II in 1978, Iacocca became head of Chrysler Corporation, which he helped save from bankruptcy by arranging federal government loans. He subsequently oversaw the launch of the hugely successful Chrysler minivans in the fall of 1983, as well as the acquisition…
The Sleuth’s sources report that the 2021 model-year Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade will all receive new sheetmetal and will be built on the same chassis as the Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, resulting in an estimated 300-400-pound weight reduction. Also in play is the adoption of an independent rear suspension (in place of a solid rear axle) for all three vehicles, with the goal of improving their ride and handling characteristics. The 5.3- and 6.2-liter V-8 engines are expected to return, accompanied by GM’s 310-horspower turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder for rear-wheel-drive versions. This engine won’t…
The RL-73 timepiece from Rennline evokes a bygone era of racing when drivers would rotate the tachometers of their cars so that the redline was at the 12 o’ clock position for easier viewing when changing gears. The RL-73 is designed to look the same way, including a single red hour hand and 10-minute intervals indicated between each of the 12 hours on the 43-milimeter face. The Swiss-made movement has a stainless-steel case with a scratch-resistant and anti-reflective crystal lens. The watch comes with red, white and blue canvas leather strap, but it can be exchanged for a more subtle…
Seattle-based McLean Metalworks has devised a way to rest up at any rest stop. The company’s hitch-mounted Hammock Mount attaches to the two-inch receiver on practically any car, truck or minivan, thanks to a pair of steel arms. Each one telescopes outward and securely locks in place. The system weighs 40 pounds and can support up to 300 pounds, and hammocks up to 114 inches long. Purchase the Hammock Mount for $450, although there are more basic and therefore less-expensive units (as low at $200). Hammock prices start at $70. Check out the full line plus accessories at www.mcleanmetalworksmfg.com.
The Sleuth has always been a fan of the automaker’s unusual small and tall wagon that was introduced to North America for the 2011 model year. Although the Juke has been cancelled, a new model is returning to active duty for the 2020 model year. Based on the disguised prototypes running the roads, the next-gen Juke’s styling will likely be a bit less radical than the original’s, although the design is inspired by the sharp-looking Nissan Gripz concept that was shown in 2015. The Spymaster would love to see a return of the original Juke’s turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, but…
General Motors claims to be moving right along developing electric Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty trucks. The electric-exclusive platform is apparently applicable to a variety of GM passenger cars and utility vehicles. The only variables would seem to be battery-pack size (density) and the number of motors (i.e. front and/or rear) used to propel the various models. GM stated that it plans to introduce 20 new electric vehicles to be sold here and in other countries by 2023. Meanwhile, startup EV maker Rivian recently displayed its R1T pickup with a cool slide-out kitchen. The optional unit, which stows in…