Author: Tabitha
Nearly every Honda and Acura model is built in North America, including the Acura NSX that turns heads and turns in quick lap times on the track.
Unlike other Hondas, however, the NSX is handcrafted in the automaker’s “Performance Manufacturing Center” near Columbus, Ohio. Roughly 100 technicians work alongside several robotic assistants that perform 860 spaceframe welds per car.
The longest-serving member of BMW’s X family dates back to the dawn of the 21st century, and was the first BMW vehicle built in North America at the automaker’s plant in Spartanburg, S.C. Now into its fourth generation, the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle sheds its benign appearance for a more aggressive look, headed by a dominating grille.
Supercar automaker Bugatti went back to its roots at the Geneva Motor Show in March, marking its 110th anniversary with a limited-edition electric-pedal-car-sized 1920s Bugatti Type 35 racer for youngsters. Just 500 copies will be made starting in the fall, each selling for about US $33,000. Meticulously crafted, and with a 30-mph top speed (‘child mode’ is limited to 13 mph), it’s no slouch among toy cars. An optional Speed Key upgrade disengages the speed limiter for an even higher top velocity that Bugatti did not disclose. It has electric rear-wheel-drive, a limited-slip differential and even regenerative braking. Each car…
As its contract with Frisco, Tex., comes to an end, Silicon Valley self-driving startup Drive.ai is moving into nearby Arlington to expand its efforts across a more complex driving grounds, pushing the capability of its autonomous technology. “We’ve decided to go big in Arlington,” CEO Bijit Halder told industry watchdog Automotive News. Four autonomous shuttles from the Frisco project will join three already in Arlington and begin running expanded routes connecting an office complex, the city convention center, Dallas Cowboys stadium, Texas Rangers ballpark and the University of Texas at Arlington. The company said that in Frisco, 20 percent of…
The Sleuth was taken somewhat aback after hearing that the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is collaborating with Toyota to design a vehicle that can operate on the Moon. Unlike NASA’s lunar rover that was used back in the early 1970s, this module will be capable of carrying two astronauts (four in an emergency). The vehicle’s pressurized environment will allow everyone aboard to travel without wearing space suits. Size-wise, the six-wheel off-earth Toyota measures 20 feet long, 17 feet wide and 12.5 feet tall. It will also have a whopping 6,200-mile range and employ a fuel-cell propulsion system that converts…
Well, that’s the name for a concept model based on the Borrego that Kia briefly sold here a few years ago. The Sleuth believes that with increasing demand for rugged (or rugged-looking) models, the Masterpiece, due out in early 2020, will give Kia a greater presence in the market. Being a bit smaller than the new Telluride utility vehicle, the seven-passenger Masterpiece could ultimately replace the Sorento that’s nearing the end of its current life cycle. It was last updated for the 2016 model year. All-wheel-drive will be available plus a center-locking differential that’s handy when the going gets tough.…
A damp car is never a good thing and can lead to mildew, musty smells and fogged-up windows. However, most vehicle owners who live in humid climates or store their vehicles indoors over the winter are resigned to it. There is an effective and affordable solution at hand with the Auto Dehumidifier by Zarpax. According to the manufacturer, this product, which consists of a reusable bag, “attracts humidity like a magnet” and will apparently never leak its contents. Once full, the indicator dot on the bag changes color from blue (dry) to red (full). A quick six-minute zap in the…
To ignore the condition of your vehicle’s radiator is to risk overheating problems that can lead to catastrophic engine failure. Radiator Relief from Design Engineering Inc. is a corrosion-inhibitor and anti-foaming agent that you pour into your car’s cooling system. The manufacturer claims the product is 100 percent biodegradable, non-corrosive and non-toxic and is compatible with water and all types of coolants and radiator alloys. Its use will also reduce the amount of scale build-up inside the core and can cut engine temperatures by as much as 30 F. A 16-ounce bottle of Radiator Relief sells for $10 and can…
Sports cars represent driving pleasure in its most passionate form, and the Mazda MX-5 has helped bring ear-to-ear grins to more than one million enthusiasts around the world since 1989. It also happens to be one of the best looking (and driving) at any price.
Buyers of small sedans tend to be younger first-timers, or people who live in multi-car households requiring an occasional-use set of wheels.
The 2019 Kia Forte deserves to be considered as a top pick for both groups, but it’s also an acceptable alternative for typical midsize-sedan shoppers, especially those on tight budgets.