Author: Tabitha

Intel reaching The Sleuth indicates that the Japan-based automaker will at long last introduce a new midsize pickup truck, but not until the end of the decade. Although exact details remain virtually nonexistent, it’s believed that the truck (it will likely retain the Frontier brand) will be based on the next-generation Nissan Navara that’s available in other countries. It will reportedly be slightly enlarged to match General Motors’ Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon rigs’ capacities plus those of the Toyota Tacoma. The Frontier must also compete with the Honda Ridgeline plus the upcoming Ford Ranger and Hyundai Santa Cruz pickups…

The Rhino Multi-tool won’t win any beauty contests, but it’s hard to beat its practical nature. Small enough to fit on a key ring, the Rhino comes with four of the most popular screwdriver bits and three different wrenches, including one to fit lug nuts. There’s also an ice scraper and the obligatory bottle opener. All the tools are contained inside a tough plastic holder that’s about half the size of the average cell phone. The Rhino Multi-tool is priced at 32.90 Euro, or the equivalent of about $40. Order one from www.yeople.com/cool-multitool-rhino/

Making everyday items out of car parts isn’t new, but the clocks made by race mechanic/engineer Nathan O’Dell of Manchester, England, are definitely unusual. Each one is encased in a component from various (but actual) Formula One racecar wheel hubs. O’Dell also includes the actual part number stamped into the metal for verification and provenance purposes. Your purchase also comes in a black gift box with a numbered and laminated gift/information card. The selling prices are in the $50 range, but note that there are limited numbers available for each style. Check out the collection at www.etsy.com/listing/101902091/

Getting a flat tire or being stuck up to the axles in mud or snow is no fun. That’s where the Bushranger X-Jack comes in. The heavy-duty rubber blow-up bag that’s placed beneath your vehicle between the front and rear wheels will create up to 31 inches of ground clearance. That should be enough for you to install a spare tire or place rocks, dirt, etc. into the tire ruts for extraction purposes. The 4,400-pound-lifting-capacity X-Jack inflates by hooking it up to the exhaust pipe or to a portable compressor. When not in use, X-Jack stows flat in a protective…

The Spy Guy believes the Sweden-based automaker might have come up with a way to entice tech-savvy buyers into the upcoming XC40. The compact wagon, which arrives early next year as a 2019 model, will be available by online subscription. Called ‘Care by Volvo,’ the service requires customers to pay a flat fee each month, which includes all maintenance, a concierge service (something like GM’s OnStar program) and in some cases regular cleaning. Customers could also arrange to borrow a different Volvo model (for example, a larger wagon or sedan) for short periods. However, if an outright purchase is what…

The Sleuth’s operatives are hearing rumblings that the company that made its bones producing exemplary sports cars is seriously considering adding a four-door fastback version of the Cayenne utility vehicle to the lineup. Apparently this is in response to the sales success that BMW and Mercedes-Benz are experiencing with their similarly shaped X6 and GLE models, respectively. Each of the company labelled coupes is available with a choice of turbocharged powerplants from relatively mild to wild, which is exactly what Porsche currently installs in the Cayenne. The only flaw in this plan is that plenty of cash is already being…

The Spymaster’s sources have unearthed both pics and some details concerning the automaker’s next big thing. That happens to be the X7 utility wagon that’s likely heading our way some time in 2018. The X7, which is based on BMW’s Concept X7 iPerformance vehicle, will be larger than the X5 and, of course, significantly grander than the X3 and X1 utilities. As a consequence, BMW will finally have a large seven-passenger model to compete against a raft of similar vehicles, including the Lexus GX, Audi Q7, Infiniti QX80 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, to name just a few. There’s no official word…

The Sleuth’s operatives have sniffed out some details concerning the automaker’s popular compact sedan and hatchback. Although the design of the two models remains literally under wraps, it’s what sits under the hood that’s most intriguing. Word has it that the 2.0-liter powerplant will be the first of what Mazda calls the SkyActiv-X. This extremely high-compression gasoline engine’s combustion occurs without the need for a spark, which is similar to how a diesel engine works. As a result, Mazda feels that a 20-percent improvement in fuel economy with the SkyActiv-X engine is realistic. The Spy Guy further speculates that greater…

Worn-out auto parts are often sent straight to the landfill or melted down and turned into other consumer products. However, California native Steven Shaver turns items such as grilles, timing gears and license plates, into automotive conversation pieces. Especially cool is his collection of wall clocks made from classic old hubcaps, and his ‘gear’ clocks, each of which comes with a die-cast model of the vehicle that the piece originated from. Shaver also makes custom products from supplied memorabilia and also provides engraving services for trophies, retirement/anniversary gifts, etc. Prices and items vary widely depending on the product and the…

The General Motors Heritage Museum offers an opportunity for collectors interested in acquiring authorized reproductions of classic dealership signs. These authentic-looking, neon-lit copies are reduced to a smaller scale than the original versions so that they can be displayed inside garages, offices or rec rooms. Available on a strictly limited basis (between 25 and 200 copies each, depending on the design) are signs promoting Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and GMC Trucks. All are hand-made using quality commercial-grade materials and weigh about 50 pounds each. Prices range from $3,500 to $20,000, depending on the sign, and can be ordered from…