Author: Tabitha
Being prepared for roadside emergencies is just smart, and the Spare Me 5-in-1 Rescue Tool is worth considering. Basically, it acts as a heavy-duty ice scraper, a lever for removing or installing a tire, and a compact shovel or traction assist that can help extract your vehicle from mud and snow. At the opposite end, the removable handle contains a flashlight and a seatbelt cutter and it can also be used to break glass in an emergency. For your $20 investment, you would be hard pressed to find anything more practical. Order from www.sparemerescuetool.com.
Navigation-system specialist Garmin also sells a portable head-up display called the HUD+. It projects onto your windshield the current speed as well as navigation info to help guide you to your destination. The unit works in conjunction with a navigation app that you download for free with your Apple or Android phone. The information is projected onto a transparent film that’s applied to the windshield, or into an attached reflector lens. And since the unit is not built-in, you can move it to any vehicle. The Garmin HUD+ sells for $180 plus $20 for the charger and $10 for the…
The Sleuth thinks you might be tempted after a close-up look at the Bollinger B1. This two-door off-roader looks like a 1950s-era Land Rover, only much plainer. But the beauty of the Bollinger B1 is that it doesn’t burn fossil fuel. Instead, the utility vehicle uses twin electric motors (one for each axle) that are claimed to generate a combined 360 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque through a two-speed (high- and low-range) controller. The battery pack is located beneath the body. A maximum range of up to 200 miles is claimed, with a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. And…
The Stealthy One is of the opinion that this General Motors’ truck and utility-vehicle division is contemplating the addition of an off-road tracks option for its full-size pickups, at least for one specific model. Right now, there’s a GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali All Mountain Concept model fitted with a set of triangular-shaped Mattracks-brand treads (in place of off-road tires) traversing the hills around Vail, Colo., west of Denver. The big 4×4 crew cab is also equipped with GM’s brawny 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V-8 that spits out 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. Clearly the All Mountain Sierra could be a…
Get your kids involved in basic auto mechanics with the Service Car Station from Theo Klein. The 27-inch-tall engine compartment allows for 15 different repairs, such as major engine components, spark plugs, radiator, air filter, wheel nuts and grille. The headlights and horn also work and turning the ignition key brings the engine to life. In back there’s a ramp and storage space for Hot Wheels-type toy cars (not included). The Service Car Station, appropriate for children ages 3 and up, also comes with the correct tools. Order one for $100 from www.amazon.com or www.walmart.com.
For well-heeled drivers, Mitchell & King of Scotland provides a highly specialized line of car-care products. The company bills itself as ‘the most unique and exclusive car wax artisans in the world’ and based on the prices, there’s no reason to doubt it. For example, the company’s Ultra wax is blended with 78 percent Carnauba that the manufacturer claims is the hardest natural wax available. Each 200-millilitre (6.8-ounce) container comes in a wooden presentation box and is accompanied by a bottle of anti-UV shampoo and ‘top-up’ spray. The Ultra kit sells for $995 and is available at www.mitchellandking.com.
The Sleuth was shocked (pun intended) when Tesla founder Elon Musk unveiled the new Roadster at a launch event for his company’s electric transport truck. To put it mildly, the all-wheel-drive two-seat Roadster stole the show. Using three electric motors (one for the front wheels and one for each rear wheel), the Roadster will reportedly accelerate to 60 mph from rest in 1.9 seconds, it will hit 100 mph in 4.2 seconds and breach the quarter-mile mark in 8.9 seconds. That easily makes it the world’s quickest production car. The top speed is ‘over 250 mph.’ If those stats aren’t…
Geely of China, the automaker that owns Volvo and Lotus, is purchasing Boston, Mass.-based Terrafugia. This company is involved in designing flying cars and is planning to launch its first one, called the Transition, in 2019. The $280,000 car/plane will tow a pair of folded wings when being driven on the highway, but with the wings fixed in place, it will travel the skies at up to 100 mph and have a 400-mile range. Terrafugia will follow it up four years later with the Transition TF-X that will have vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Other automakers developing similar craft include…
The Spymaster is blown away by the news that the oft-touted ZR1 Corvette is a real thing and will arrive in early 2018 as a 2019 model. It will also mark the final bow for the front-engine sports car before the switch is made to a mid-engine placement (behind the cockpit and ahead of the rear wheels). The ZR1 will be fitted with a 755-horsepower supercharged LT5-designated V-8 engine. Physically, the two-door will come with a unique grille and hood, along with a carbon-fiber roof and large rear wing that can provide hundreds of pounds of downforce. There’s no word…
The Sleuth is looking forward to a significant redesign of Chevrolet’s light-duty pickup that should break in early 2018 as a 2019 model. The automaker has worked hard to match or overtake the class-leading F-150, but Ford’s aluminum-bodied hauler remains solidly in front. Among the expected changes is a new front-end design, a completely redesigned interior and, perhaps as an homage to the F-150, a number of aluminum body panels. All V-6 and V-8 powerplants are expected to have 10-speed automatic transmissions. There is also a strong possibility that the recently revealed 450-horsepower Silverado 1500 Performance Concept truck (a possible…