Latest Posts

Matchbox Goes Green: The ICE vs. EV Battle Comes to 1:64 Scale

by Peter Ciani for RPM News Weekly ~ As the life-size electric vehicle competition heats up, Mattel toys recently announced that their popular Matchbox series will be bringing the ICE versus EV battle to the 1:64 scale. One could assume that a small toy car with no engine is pretty much eco-green already, but you’d be wrong. Sure the cars themselves aren't very big, but when you factor in how many are sold each year plus the packaging and numerous playsets that are available, the amount of plastic that’s being produced really starts to add up. The goal that Mattel recently…

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Infiniti QX50 SUV Maximizes Performance-Luxury Integration

04-13-21 Tech Talk ~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~ While embraced in the sumptuous interior of the 2021 Infiniti QX50 all-wheel drive AUTOGRAPH edition, one could easily forget to remember that beneath the hood beats the turbocharged heart of a remarkably engineered 268 horsepower four-cylinder engine. Fortunately, this was not lost on Tech Talk host Rick DeMeis. Hear him explain the particulars in this week's podcast episode. Then, stay with the program as it navigates through news items that include Huawei's foray into smart electric vehicles, a decision from SpaceX on parts recovery, an update on the Ingenuity…

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BIG Is Where RAM 1500 TRX 4×4 Goes

by Peter Ciani for RPM News Weekly ~ A permanent fixture on the list of top-selling vehicles in the United States, the Ram 1500 pickup is already available in a dizzying number of configurations from the work-ready Tradesman to the premium-level Limited. Now, Ram has taken a page from the Dodge playbook, finally bringing the Hellcat's 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI V8 to the lineup in the all-new 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. It was only a matter of time before that Hellcat engine found its way into a Ram. It's not surprising though, considering the original 2016 TRX concept, then called the…

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Engage Performance, Embrace Luxury in 2021 Acura TLX

04-06-21 Tech Talk ~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~ Tracking well on the highway is just one of many noteworthy features that Tech Talk host Rick DeMeis experienced this week in the luxurious 2021 Acura TLX Advance performance sedan. Have a listen as he goes through his observations of this top-of-the-line all-wheel drive model that offers some interesting technological innovations to keep the driver engaged while embraced in comfort and convenience. In other news, there's a study from iseecars.com that evaluates whether it is better to go new or pre-owned for your next vehicle, followed by the weekly…

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All-New RAM 1500 TRX Tackles Toughest Terrain

03-30-21 Tech Talk ~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~ Tech Talk host Rick DeMeis rides high and handsome this week in the all-new 2021 RAM 1500 TRX 4x4, a pickup truck that defines the term "Lifestyle Vehicle". Listen in as he describes the how-and-why of this amazingly capable companion for the most adventurous drivers. Then it's onto other news, including the recent Space X Starship 11 launch in the fog, a 5G energy converter to charge batteries, turning plastic bags into an adhesive, a 3D printable body-organ monitor, and graphite enhanced running shoes. A weekly feature on KOWS…

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The Return of the Toyota Venza!

by Peter Ciani for RPM News Weekly The original Toyota Venza made its debut in 2009 as a competitor to the Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, and Mazda CX-7. It was the definition of the crossover sport utility vehicle formula: take a car platform (in this case the Camry) and plunk a station wagon-y body on top – but please don’t call it a station wagon. Back in those old days (2008), even Motor Trend wasn’t sure what to call it, as evidenced by their First Drive review titled “Identity Crisis: Is it a Car? No. An SUV? Not Quite. A…

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