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Shift emag May 6, 2013

Cool things to read in the May 6, 2013, edition of Shift
1) CHINA DOLLS: Vehicle launches aren’t just happening in China, the cars are being tailored for that country. — by Tom Jensen
2) VEGGIE CARS? Stronger than steel? Well, mom always said that vegetables were good for you . . . and they’re apparently the next big thing in vehicle construction. — by Joe Knycha
3) HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: Yes, our resident hottie Courtney Hansen about to have a coronary over the effects of billions of tons of road salt polluting ground water. — by Courtney Hansen

No tricks on your eyes, it’s a Mirage

A minor reversal of fortune appears to be in the works for Mitsubishi. After shedding a number of models over the past few years, including the Eclipse coupe and convertible, Diamante and Galant sedans, Montero and Endeavor Sport utes and Raider pickup, The Sleuth can confirm that its sub-compact Mirage brand that was introduced in [...]

How flat can you run?

The Sleuth examined a report by quality analysts J.D. Power and Associates and its findings regarding the replacement frequency of run-flat tires confirm his suspicions. The report claims that nearly one-third of 2011 and 2012 new car buyers using these tires replaced one or more due to a flat or blowout. That compares with 19 [...]

A sleek and slinky Subaru?

Actually, The Sleuth is dead serious, but extremely giddy about the next-generation WRX concept-cum-reality sedan model. The New York Auto Show-stealer represents the kind of design that the automaker’s legendary performance vehicle has always needed to move the sales needle up several notches. All the right touches are there, including a big hood scoop, bulging [...]

Reports of the Durango’s demise were greatly exaggerated

Your intrepid Spy Guy was recently led to believe that the Dodge Durango sport ute was destined for retirement at the end of this year. Now it seems that someone in the Fiat-controlled Chrysler Ivory Tower (possibly head honcho Sergio Marchionne himself) has had a change of heart. Front and center at this year’s New [...]

New Z/28 gets the Corvette Z06 engine

The Sleuth is supremely delighted that Chevrolet will revive the Z/28 Camaro for the 2014 model year. The appellation was originally introduced as a performance package for the 1968 Camaro. On the track, mega-mogul racing proprietor Roger Penske and his ace driver, the late Mark Donohue, dominated the TransAm series in the late 1960s in [...]