Author: Tabitha
It’s normal for an automaker to update one or two of its models each year. The so-called mid-cycle refresh mostly involves minor body changes, new wheels and paint schemes, and possibly powertrain changes. Mild stuff, really. However The Sleuth notes that GM’s Chevrolet division has chosen to update a whole slew of passenger cars at the same time. For the 2019 model year, the Malibu, Camaro, Spark and Cruze sedan and hatchback will receive modest revisions. Noticeably absent from the list is the Sonic subcompact and the full-size Impala, the latter of which will be retired either at the end…
With the apparent demise of the subcompact Fiesta after 2018, The Sleuth’s eyes were glued to the totally new Ford Focus that was recently unveiled to the press. To the point, this car’s a total stunner, with knife-edge lines practically everywhere you look. In Europe, the car will be available with a choice of a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, a turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder and a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel, but the latter isn’t likely to make it to North America. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard. Ford appears to be doing away with the paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmission and will instead…
Toting your motorized toys is no problem if you have a 4Loader. The unit replaces your short- or long-bed truck’s tailgate and is ideal for hauling motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles since it extends the load floor by close to four feet. The 4Loader attaches to your truck’s two-inch receiver and comes with built-in folding eight-foot-long ramps that are rated for up to 3,000 pounds, allowing you to drive your ATV right into the bed. And towing a boat or travel trailer (up to 2,000 pounds) with the 4Loader attached is also no problem since there’s an additional receiver built into…
Not every action game involves plugging into a console. For example, the Legends Quarter Mile Drag Race Track Set (product code: SRS308) requires a 31.5-foot-long straightway (your driveway or similar flat surface will work) and of course a handy wall plug to operate the two electric slot cars that come with the set. As the name implies, the “legends” in this case include a pair of 1:64 scale vintage cars patterned after real 1970s drag-racing machines driven by Don Garlits and Shirley Muldowney. Also included are controllers for each lane, mechanical start/finish gates, guardrails and even a bonus 12-foot-long return…
General Motors’ new semi-self-driving system will be available in every Cadillac model after 2020 before moving into other GM brands, the company said June 5. Super Cruise is GM’s effort to develop self-driving vehicles. The company said it intends to commercialize self-driving cars in 2019; its self-driving car subsidiary, GM Cruise, recently received an investment from holding company SoftBank Group Corp. of Tokyo to accelerate development and deployment. The system incorporates advanced mapping, light-based radar (called lidar) and a driver attention system to provide hands-free driving in certain highway cruising conditions. By monitoring the driver’s eye movements, it can determine…
Made for modern, exotic hypercars that are approaching the daunting 300-mph barrier, new Michelin tires under development must be able to attain and perform under such speeds not once, but repeatedly, according to automotive-lifestyles webmagazine, Motor Authority. Michelin product manager Eric Schmedding recently confirmed to Bloomberg news service that the company is working to develop a tire that won’t be ripped apart by the tremendous forces that such high velocities create. Currently, no tire maker builds a commercial tire capable of handling such speeds. Hyper cars built by companies such as Bugatti, Hennessey and Koenigsegg are close to breaking 280…
The Sleuth is saddened, but not surprised, with the news that some large and small vehicles in the Ford and Chevrolet fleets will be eliminated. In the full-size class, the Ford Taurus that has survived in one form or another since the 1986 model year will be retired this year. Its primary customers have been fleet buyers. In the small-car class, the Ford Fiesta hatchback and sedan will depart North America, but will remain available in Europe. At General Motors, it’s adios to both the Michigan-built Sonic sedans and hatchbacks that were originally introduced for the 2012 model year. The…
The Spy Guy is liking the luxury brand’s new XT4 wagon that goes on sale later this year and sees it as a critical addition to the lineup. This model offers plenty of space, especially for second-row passengers. The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque) should prove powerful and thrifty enough to satisfy most buyers. If there’s a down side, it’s a lack of cargo room compared to the XT4’s major competitors, including the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Lincoln MKC and Lexus NX. Cadillac says that the XT4’s starting price will be a shade…
Swapping out your vehicle’s old headlight bulbs for a set of LEDs is a good idea, especially if you do a lot of highway driving at night. The more light, the better. A pair of Stoofs claims that its Hi-Lo Auto Headlamps are easy to install and will illuminate the way forward far better than traditional halogen bulbs. The manufacturer claims that its water- and dust-proof LEDs meet all international standards and are good for 30,000 hours. That’s basically a lifetime for most drivers. Order a pair for $40 at www.stoofs.com.
Storing an extra set of tires and wheels, such as snow, summer or racing tires, takes up valuable garage space and they’re a pain to move once they’re stacked. That is unless they’re on wheels, of course. The TruStack Tire Dolly allows you to move your rubber donuts to wherever spot is most convenient. Designed primarily for commercial use, the 30-inch (diameter) injection-molded plastic unit comes with heavy-duty casters, two of which swivel and have brakes. A strap that attaches to the TruStack’s center point helps keep up to four tires properly secured. Order for $150 from www.trustacktiredolly.com.