Tiny cars display shows big world of small wonders

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Pickup trucks and SUVs rule the automotive landscape. Bigger is better. More horsepower and torque equate to sales. But it all means very little to tiny car enthusiasts. For mini, micro, pedal & toy cars owner great things come in small packages. The Audrain Automotive Museum, located in Newport, Rhode Island, recently announced its newest exhibit dedicated to tiny vehicles. The “Small Wonders: Mini, Micro, Pedal & Toy Cars” will open November 21 and continue through February 14, 2021. The BMW Isetta, Fiat’s quirky 500 Jolly, a Nash Metropolitan and a Peel P50 are among the more well-known micro cars

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2020 Bullitt Mustang ideal for the Steve McQueen in all of us

A 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback and a 2004 Pontiac Aztek are as far apart on the automotive spectrum as possible — with one exception. With a few dozen other vehicles — an Aston Martin DB5 to AMC Pacer and a Plymouth Fury to Pontiac Trans AM — the Mustang and Aztek are cultural icons. Younger automotive and movie enthusiasts may only know the Aztek from the “Breaking Bad” series on Netflix or a Toyota MK IV Supra from the movie “The Fast and the Furious.” But the Bullitt Mustang, released in three time frames in the past 20 years,

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, the continuation of the South-Korean manufacturer’s top-selling vehicle globally, has been announced. It will feature new exterior stylings, more passenger and cargo room and upgraded features throughout the sport utility vehicle. Available in dealerships in the spring and summer of 2021 (depending upon model) the Hyundai Tucson will be offered in an array of powertrain variants, including new hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The new 2022 Hyundai Tucson internal combustion models will be produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) and Ulsan, Korea. Three new technology features highlight interior changes: *10.25-inch full-touch screen exempt of hard buttons:

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2021 Jeep Gladiator Willys

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator Willys, engineered to be the most off-road capable Jeep truck ever, builds on the brand’s rich combined heritage of utility functionality and versatility. Equipped with the proven 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and a versatile cargo box, all Gladiator models are Trail Rated with a badge indicating the vehicle is designed to perform in five key consumer-oriented performance categories: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water fording. Jeep Gladiator Willys: Joins Jeep Lineup “Building on the widely popular Wrangler Willys, we’re thrilled to announce the Willys model is joining the Gladiator lineup as another way for Jeep

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3 BMW sedans get worst depreciation honors

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Consumers purchase BMW sedans for their well-documented performance qualities. But value is not part of the German manufacturer’s appeal. According to iSeeCars.com, the automotive research firm and data-driven car search engine, three of the German sedans are among the top-10 vehicles with the worst five-year depreciation averages. The website analyzed more than 8.2 million car sales to identify models with the lowest and highest loss in value after five years. BMW gets dubious honors The BMW 7 and 5 series hold the top two spots among the highest depreciating vehicles. The stablemate X3 has the 10th worst depreciation average after

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Jeep Wrangler gets lowest 5-year depreciation honors

The Jeep Wrangler tops the list of vehicles with the lowest depreciation, at 30.9 percent over five years. The Unlimited trim scored more than 18 percent lower than the national five-year depreciation average, according to iSeeCars.com. Trucks and truck-based SUVs hold their value the best, while luxury sedans see the most depreciation. iSeeCars.com analyzed more than 8.2 million car sales to identify models with the lowest and highest loss in value after five years. Jeep Wrangler Takes Depreciation Honors In addition to the cars with the lowest five-depreciation, the comprehensive study also includes the lowest-and highest-depreciating cars by price point

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Shelby Supercar Tuatara gets non-speed record in record time

The need for speed has resulted in the Shelby Supercar Tuatara crossing a line it hadn’t hoped to cross — in a blur of doubt. Two weeks ago, the SSC touted with documentation a record of 316.11 miles per hour by its production car. With the mph record, the Tuatara also set “Fastest Flying Mile on a Public Road” and “Fastest Flying Kilometer on a Public Road” records. As expected, the accomplishment gained plenty of attention, including millions of views on various YouTube videos. Shelby Supercar Tuatara: MPH askew But it was also YouTube viewers who pointed to discrepancies in

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#154 Todd Reiners combines racing, philanthropy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:29 — 47.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreTodd Reiners is a race car enthusiast and philanthropist in Sacramento. He competes in vintage cars and is as passionate about his collection as anyone. Reiners is our guest on Episode #154 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. He discusses his long-time appreciation for cars as well as his fund-raising efforts and a unique, moving experience he shared with those less fortunate. As a daily driver, Reiners negotiates Sacramento in a 1994 Honda Accord “with a dent.” But it’s Reiners’ other vehicles he prefers to

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2020 Lexus RX 450hL: handsome, plush, pricey

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With several exterior design changes including a polarizing paint color choice, the 2020 Lexus RX 450hL stands out on the omnipresent highway sea of sport utility vehicles. It’s a smooth cruiser with some drawbacks. A six or seven-passenger midsize hybrid, the RX 450hL comes with three rows of seating and all-wheel drive. It’s operated by a 3.5-liter V6 that coordinates with two front-mounted electric motor-generators. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) propels the front wheels; a third electric motor powers the rear wheels. Total horsepower is 308 and the 0-60 mph standard is accomplished in 6.8 seconds. The base 2020

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Rare, rugged Jeep J10 Honcho precursor to 2020 Gladiator

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Jeep doesn’t make a lot of pickup trucks, but for seven years beginning in 1976, a trim package called The Honcho was available. The limited-edition offered on the J10 model and only on the step side and short bed offerings included bold striping and decals. Optional extras included an interior made by Levi’s (in blue or tan) or a roll bar. The specialty trucks also included the Golden Eagle and 10-4. The latter was offered with an optional CB radio corresponding to the radio acknowledgment decal “10-4.” The Jeep J10 Honcho was manufactured through 1983, and it could be ordered

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VW icon: 23-window bus for beach bums, hippies

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For beach bums and touring musicians, alpine explorers to free-spirited travelers of yesteryear and today, the elusive Volkswagen 23-window bus — was and is as good as it gets. Known to U.S. buyers as the “Deluxe Microbus with Samba package,” the 23-window bus was originally designed as a vehicle to tour the Swiss Alps, offering up to nine passengers maximum visibility.   But it was quickly adopted by families, campers and members of the counterculture. The van features a collection of unique windows including eight skylights, two curved rear windows, a retractable skylight, and a coveted split windshield. Produced between

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#153, Author Russell Hayes’ new book on VW beetle, bus

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:25 — 31.5MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreRussell Hayes, like all automotive industry book authors, is passionate about his subject matter. Hayes’ interests cover several iconic carmakers, including his latest effort celebrating the 75th and 70th anniversaries of the Beetle and Bus. Hayes is the author of numerous automotive books ranging in topics from auto shows to Lotus to several offerings on Volkswagen. His latest book is the just-released “Volkswagen Beetles and Buses: Smaller and Smarter.” In a wide-ranging interview, Hayes is our guest on Episode #153 of The Weekly Driver

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2020 Honda Pilot (Black Edition) pricey SUV option

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The Honda Pilot is its 19th year as the manufacturer’s biggest, most versatile and most expensive sport utility vehicle. It’s also among seven utility vehicles Honda makes. All fulfill a niche for the ever-increasing percentage of consumers buying cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. As Honda‘s only three-row SUV, the Pilot combines the brand’s reputation and reliability with keen family and cargo capabilities. With its all-wheel-drive option, the Pilot has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Available in LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite and Black Edition trims, all 2020 Pilots are equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower. A six-speed

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New Ford F-150 EV: fastest, efficient, far less cost

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Ford believes its pending F-150 battery-electric pickup truck is still about two years away from consumer sales. But the manufacturer is already touting it will cost about half as much to operate as its current gas-powered stablemates. The new version of the country’s best-selling vehicle will also be the most powerful Ford truck ever made. With zero gas and oil usage, low electric charging rates and lower maintenance costs, the Ford F150 EV truck will thrive on its efficiency, according to Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s president of the Americas and International Markets Group. Ford Ford F-150: Fast, Furious Scheduled to begin

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NEW TRUCK PREVIEW: 2021 Honda Ridgeline

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The 2021 Honda Ridgeline will debut early next year with a pronounced redesign. It will showcase the pickup truck’s road and off-road versatility while retaining the tradition of its renowned for unibody design. The Ridgeline will continue to feature an extra-wide stance on an extra-wide standard bed. The manufacturer claims it’s the only truck that can flat-carry four-foot-wide items between its wheel wells. All 2021 Honda Ridgeline trims will include a 3.5-liter, direct-injected V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard of RTL-E and Black Editions. It’s optional on Sport and RTL trims. With

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Nasty dope smell a growing rental car issue

How about that dope smell in your rental car? It’s an increasing issue nationwide. Travelers who rent vehicles may have recently noticed the unusual odor or they may be making it with their smoking preferences. Rental agencies around the country have reported an increase in the smell of pot in their fleets. Since marijuana is legal or decriminalized and allowed for medicinal purposes in all but eight states, many drivers believe it’s OK to smoke it in rental vehicles. It’s not. Rental agency representatives are increasing having to explain the policy prohibiting smoking in rental vehicles includes tobacco, vaping and

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