A treasure trove of essential automotive quick hits:
Drawing board
2013 Lexus LS: Toyota's up-level division is remaking its lineup with a new common appearance. The flagship Lexus LS sedan receives its makeover for the 2013 model year and gets some features.
Both regular and extended-length LS 460 models return, along with the 4.6-litre V-8 and the LS 600hL's hybrid power plant. A new LS 460 F Sport model is supposed to draw in more customers from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
Auto trivia
- Among the 1969 Ford Maverick's unusually named colours were Anti-Establish Mint, Freudian Gilt, Thanks Vermillion and Original Cinnamon.
- The Volvo logo actually represents the chemical symbol for iron.
Who am I?
To guess his secret identity, read the following clues!
1) This former Chrysler executive's hometown is Windsor, Ont., right across the border from Detroit, Mich.
2) Perhaps ironically, his father was union president of Chrysler's Windsor minivan plant.
3) Before landing the top job at Chrysler, he worked at General Motors where he was president of the German Opel factory.
4) He was appointed Chrysler Group chief executive officer in 2006, but stepped down after the company's bankruptcy in 2009.
Still stumped? Tom LaSorda came from a family that was heavily involved in the labour movement. He's now CEO at Fisker Automotive.
What's up, auto doc?
As usual, there's a grey area between what a vehicle is rated at in terms of fuel consumption and what it will actually get. That's because "what it will actually get" depends on you. But that grey area seems to be even a little greyer when it comes to hybrids.
Putting a Camry Hybrid on the road for 3,000 kilometres yielded real-world fuel consumption of 7.0 litres/100 kilometres, which is much more than the 4.7 combined rating from Transport Canada. That was loaded up with gear and keeping pace with freeway traffic in 30 C heat with the air conditioning blasting away.
The 7.0 is actually a pretty good number, but you'll likely do better on the highway with a Passat diesel, for example, which excels at stretching highway fuel dollars, whereas the real benefit of a hybrid comes during in-city driving where the electric motor(s) is providing more assist. Keeping this in mind, be careful to buy correctly for your use and to drive correctly for the vehicle - or you'll run the risk of being disappointed. eBay watch
1974 Jensen Interceptor, sold, US$18,000: Obscure British vehicles are often fraught with a myriad of electrical and mechanical problems. Fortunately, this nearly 40-year-old Jensen appears well cared for by a knowledgeable seller.
As well, Interceptors were built using Chrysler power - in this instance a 284 h.p., 440-cubic-inch V-8 (7.2 litres in Brit-speak) - connected to a three-speed automatic transmission, so parts won't be a problem. In true British luxury tradition, the hatchback sports Connolly leather-covered seats, dash, headliner and door panels.
Visit www.ebaymotors. com.
Top Gear
Can Cam containers; Daystar Products International; about US$130; www.daystarweb. com/productdetail. php?productID=1219: Your truck or sport utility vehicle's rear-mounted spare tire can also be used to safely transport extra fluids such as gasoline, oil and water outside the vehicle.
The Can Cam consists of a detachable 9.5-litre container plus all the necessary mounting hardware. Each kit comes with a red fuel container and additional red fuel cans (which simply lock to the front of the first Can Cam) sell for US$66, while cans in blue (for water) or green (for other fluids) are priced at US$60.
- Wheelbase Media
