{also piping hot}

The Sleuth’s sources are reporting back that Ford has patented something called “heat-transmission graphics”. When a painted body panel is warmed up by means of a heating element, a graphic — such as a logo, stripes, etc. — appears on the surface. In the company’s patent filing, the vehicle rendering used to describe the process is a Ford Mustang, which displays the car’s iconic pony appearing on the hood. Heatgenerated graphics could conceivably be made to appear anywhere, including fenders, rear deck or even on the roof. Whether the process will become the next Big Thing or it’s used as a marketing gimmick remains to be seen, but you can expect Ford to test the waters and gauge public reaction in the near future. Allspace is a longer Tiguan: The Sleuth’s operatives are reporting that Volkswagen’s new seven-passenger Atlas utility vehicle will be joined later in 2017 by the 2018-modelyear Tiguan Allspace. This compact model will also have available seven-passenger capacity, although it could be a tight squeeze for anyone seated in the third row. Compared to the current Tiguan, the Allspace is eight inches longer and provides an extra four inches between the front and rear wheels. The base engine will likely be a turbocharged 220-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but word is that a plug-in-hybrid option will be available sometime in 2018. The Allspace will join the Nissan Rogue as the only other compact utility vehicle to offer seven-passenger accommodations. A major engine addition is coming for Corvette: Along with death and taxes, the one sure thing in life is that the V-8 engine nestled inside the engine bay of Chevrolet’s fiberglass-bodied Stingray sports car is of the overhead-valve (pushrod) variety. However, intel obtained by The Spy Guy indicates that, for the 2018 model-year, the ’Vette will switch to a dual-overhead-cam arrangement. The new engine, dubbed the LT5 (the appellation used on the 1990s-era Yamaha-built Corvette ZR-1 powerplant), will displace 6.2 liters and will be naturally aspirated (i.e. neither turbocharged or supercharged). If The Sneaky One had to speculate, the LT5 will be installed in the upcoming mid-engine Corvette that’s also slated for 2018. Both changes could upset some traditionalists — copying the European sports car layout and engine designs — but it should also appeal to a new generation of high-performance sports car buyers. A pushrod will likely still be available. Is there a BMW engine in the Toyota Corolla’s future? That’s the hot rumor being passed along to The Sleuth’s operatives. Apparently the close ties that grew from both Alfa Romeo’s possible return to Formula One racing: Published reports indicate that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) boss Sergio Marchionne wants to see the Alfa Romeo brand return to Formula One. FCA already competes in the open-wheel series with the Ferrari brand. Alfa’s role would be to help develop Italian drivers for Ferrari. The last time Alfa Romeo competed in F-1 was the 1985 Australian Grand Prix.