Author: Tabitha

Scuffed wheels (commonly referred to as curb rash) can ruin the look of an otherwise pristine vehicle. One way to prevent such occurrences is by installing Rimskins. When fitted along the wheel’s outer lip, Rimskins offer a significant measure of protection and are designed to keep the wheels themselves undamaged, hit after hit. A single-wheel Rimskins kit (available in silver, red, black, white or blue) sells for $25. It’s good for wheels up to 20 inches in diameter. A four-pack of Rimskins sells for $60. Order at www.rimskins.com.

A cool novelty item for the wine (and truck) lover is a classic carrier from The Busted Knuckle Garage that can hold most standard-size bottles. The plastic-resin models are made to resemble Chevrolet and GMC pickups from the early 1950s. There are also protective pads attached to each wheel so they won’t scratch table surfaces. If you or the person you’re buying for are not into trucks, there’s also a classic-sports-car version available. Purchase for $40 each from www.bustedknucklegarage.com.

The Blue Oval automaker has performance versions of many of its models, from the Focus (Focus ST) to the F-150 (Raptor). The Trenchcoated one’s sources are hearing that Ford will take a similar approach with the Edge, which will be available in a new ST trim level. That model, which launches for the 2019 model year, will run with a version of Ford’s twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 that spools out 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic will be the sole transmission. Other ST goodies will include a body kit, sport seats, dual exhaust outlets and 21-inch wheels…

The Sleuth figured that it was only a matter of time before the Korea-based automaker filled an obvious void in the current lineup. After announcing that it would launch a pickup in North America, Hyundai is giving the go-ahead for a two-seater model that’s expected to resemble a concept called the PassoCorto (first revealed in 2014). There is some speculation that the sports car will wear a Genesis badge, or possibly be the halo model for Hyundai’s N performance brand. Whatever the case, a price tag in the low- to mid-$70,000 range is probable. A plug-in hybrid powertrain is also…

Production of the original Dodge Power Wagon ranged from 1945-’57. However, Legacy Power Wagon of Jackson, Wyo., takes the bones of original models and rebuilds them to be modern, with either Chevrolet V-8 engines, or Cummins six-cylinder turbo-diesels. Also included are modern front and rear axles, locking differentials, four-wheel disc brakes, Bilstein-brand shocks and 16,500-pound-capacity winches. Each Legacy Power Wagon comes with air conditioning, leather-covered captain’s chairs and a modern 10-gauge instrument cluster. Buyers can choose from the basic pickup body style, custom crew cab or Carryall wagon. Pricing starts at $185,000 and increases to more than $255,000, depending on…

Most cell-phone mounting brackets are designed to attach to your vehicle’s dashboard, where they can be annoyingly intrusive and present a temptation for thieves. A less obvious, yet still effective placement approach is to use the Mountek’s Grip+ Slot Mount. As its name implies, the unit attaches to the compact disk opening of your car’s audio system without screws, tape or suction cups. And best of all, it won’t interfere with the CDs already inside your player. The adjustable Grip+ also accepts most, if not all, current-generation smart phones and tablets. It can also be quickly removed and reinstalled in…

The Sleuth’s sources are reporting that Nissan is planning an all-new body-on-frame model that will replace the loved-by-some, truck-like Xterra wagon. That off-road-capable vehicle was retired after the 2015 model year and was thought to never return. It appears that Nissan believes there’s still a market for a fresh interpretation of the Xterra and will make an offshoot of its all-new Frontier pickup that’s due out in 2019 as a 2020 model. The four-wheel-drive Terra, as it will reportedly be named, could also launch at about the same time. It will be larger than the Xterra and will come with…

It was a shock for many Jeep Cherokee fans when the automaker introduced a brand new version for the 2013 model year that ended up being completely modern rather than square, like the original. For the 2019 model year, Jeep is reeling in that design to more closely resemble the larger Grand Cherokee and the smaller Compass. The nosepiece now appears stubbier and the grille is less rounded, and the bumper-height headlights have been axed. Apparently this midsize model will also receive the same turbocharged four-cylinder option found in the new-for-2018 Jeep Wrangler JL, which likely spells the end of…

The Sleuth applauds the automaker for its entry into the small-and-tall-wagon market. If you weren’t already aware, this category is quickly growing with relatively affordable products such as the Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3 and the upcoming Ford EcoSport. The new Nissan model, called the Kicks, will differ in a significant way from much of the rest of the group by not offering an all-wheel-drive variant. The only other vehicle following the same path is the new-for-2017 Toyota C-HR. Although the lack of an AWD option might not be concerning for prospective buyers dwelling in…

The Spymaster is excited to hear that the Sweden-based automaker has come up with a simple, yet effective solution to once and for all rid turbocharged engines of lag, that dead-pedal feeling when you first hit the accelerator. Volvo’s solution, called Power Pulse, involves using an air compressor attached to an electric motor. When the accelerator is pushed, the compressor immediately delivers a burst of air from a small tank to the exhaust manifold, thereby spinning up the turbo, which responds to exhaust-gas velocity. Power Pulse will soon be added to Volvo’s production engines and The Sleuth hopes that similar…