City Paints No-Parking Zone Around Parked Car, Tickets it

We've got some good news and bad news for if you're one of the thousands who've pre-ordered or are interested in purchasing the 2022 MotorTrend Truck of the Year (not to mention the only electric vehicle to cross the Trans-America Trail), the Rivian R1T pickup, and its SUV sibling, the R1S. The good news is that the company is expanding its R1T and R1S lineup, now offering dual-motor variants and a new battery pack. The bad news is that it's going to cost more for less Rivian, as quad-motor prices rise to make room for the new two-motor versions of the R1T and R1S, which will cost the same as the entry-level quad-motors did before.New Homebuilt MotorsAs we long suspected, Rivian-built dual-motor variants are now slated to join the R1 lineup. Available starting in 2024, these new Rivian designed, engineered, and built motors (one installed at each axle) are said to be good for over 600 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque, and Rivian promises a 4.0-second 0-60 mph time, making the dual motor R1T about a second slower to 60 mph than the quickest four-motor R1T we've tested. Current quad-motor Rivians produce 835 hp and 908 lb-ft of torque.Rivian also says that its new motors are simpler, lighter, and cheaper to build than the supplier-sourced motors on today's R1S and R1T.The California-based automaker isn't publicly committing to utilizing its new motors on the quad-motor R1S and R1T, but sources at the company have told us that Rivian is currently hard at work on a quad-motor R1X super SUV that makes 1,200 hp and 1,200 lb-ft. We're not math experts, but we're fairly certain that if you put four of Rivian's new motors together, the output would add up to 1,200 ponies and pound-feet.We suspect that in addition to the R1X, a detuned quad-motor R1S and R1T featuring the new motors is in the cards given CEO RJ Scaringe's desire to bring core competencies in-house.Rivian's new battery packIn addition to the new twin-motor models, Rivian today announced its new Standard battery pack will go on sale in 2024. Available only on dual-motor R1S' and R1Ts, the Standard pack joins the Large pack (on-sale now), and Max pack (slated for 2023). Dual motor R1s will be able to travel about 260 miles on a charge with the Standard pack, 320 miles with the Large pack, and over 400 miles with the Max pack, all pending EPA certification.Quad-motor R1Ts will continue to be available with only the Large and Max packs. The Large pack is the only one currently available; it nets the R1S an EPA-estimated range of 316 miles and R1T 314 miles.Price increases for the R1Although Rivian is keen to point out that base prices for the R1T and R1S remain unchanged at $68,575 and $73,575, respectively, that's a bit disingenuous, as the dual motor, standard pack is the new base configuration for the R1 line. Previously, those prices applied to quad-motor, Large pack models.Those quad-motor prices rise from $68,575 for a Large pack R1T Explore model to $80,575, and from $73,575 for a Large pack R1S Explore to $85,575. Max pack prices rise as well. The cheapest quad-motor R1T Max pack is now $90,315. The R1S, which has a shorter wheelbase than the pickup (and therefore less underbody space for batteries), is unavailable with the Max pack.Dual-motor Large pack R1Ts will begin at $74,575, and R1S' will begin at $79,575. Prices for the dual-motor R1T Max Pack start at $84,575.What does this mean for current Rivian reservation holders?Rivian chief growth officer Jiten Behl points to global supply chain shortages, increasing component parts, inflation, and semi-conductor delays as the primary reason for the price changes. "This rise in cost and complexity due to these challenging circumstances necessitate an increase to the prices of the R1T and R1S models we offer today — prices which were originally set in 2018. This decision will allow us to continue to offer competitive products that maintain the high standard of quality, performance, and capabilities that our customers expect and deserve from Rivian," he said in a statement issued to the media.A source at the company told us that customers who are already in the final steps of completing their R1T orders won't be affected, but unfortunately for the vast majority of existing Rivian reservation holders, the price increases will apply.While the price changes likely won't sit well with existing R1 customers, Rivian no doubt hopes that the new two-motor variants will cushion the blow.

A proposed West Virginia bill outlines multiple new strict guidelines for automakers to adhere to in their relationship with dealership networks, including a ban on some (increasingly prevalent) over-the-air software updates that change the driving functionality of the car. Updates to mapping and infotainment systems would still be kosher, but anything that changes how the car drives could soon be off the table, including important safety updates.The new motion, introduced by the West Virginia automotive dealership trade association, according to GM Authority, is an amendment to current West Virginia House Bill 4560. The previous version simply mentioned all warranty and recall repair work had to be performed by a dealership, but the new text is what stipulates new rules for the burgeoning trend of over-the-air driving updates. Here's what it says:Over-the-air (OTA) updates, where an automaker can tweak, update or repair glitches, features and hardware with software downloaded into the car's computer system over an internet connection, are a relatively new feature in modern cars. The concept allows minor fixes to be rolled out as soon as they are ready to go in the car, without the owner or operator ever having to actually take the car to a service station.Luxury vehicles more bent toward the tech-friendly crowd have been the early adopters, especially the Tesla Model S, Chevy Bolt, Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, and more. OTA updates are a useful tool, and as more cars produced come with onboard data connections, it's a tool that's spreading rapidly.If you're wondering why dealers would want you to need to drive your car to the dealership for any non-infotainment system update, well it of course is all about money. It would seem the West Virginia dealer's association views OTA updates as a potential financial risk. Since there are no parts costs in software fixes, dealers don't want to see the labor charges for any vehicle updates (warranty or recall related or otherwise) dry up, as well, just because your car is connected to the internet.Dealerships also recognize the importance of getting you to their lots to service your car: you can shop for a new one while you wait. And that's why the proposed updates to the bill would also ban automakers from selling vehicles directly to customers in WV outside of the dealer model. From the bill:"This part is similar to other nationwide bans on direct-sales, which are often also heavily defended by local dealership trade groups. You may remember Tesla taking quite a few fights to states like Michigan, where direct sales to customers are not allowed and cars must be sold through a franchised dealership network. Today, Tesla has to sell cars to Michigan owners out of state, and established a subsidiary company to open servicing locations in the state.Obviously, these new proposals in HB4560 would be bad for consumers in West Virginia. First, their cars would no longer be allowed to receive potentially significant instant updates that could impact all aspects of their car, from driving range, interior controls, drive-mode settings, and safety system updates. Instead, it would put a cost on those things for customers directly, both in time spent getting the car needlessly serviced, and in the potential dealer fees you'll have to pay for something that's free to owners in other states.On top of that, if you wanted to avoid the dealership model altogether to buy a new car for yourself, you would not be allowed to without going out of the state. We don't see any upside for the vehicle owner in the proposed legislation, and CleanTechnica reports a lobbying group, Alliance for Automotive Innovation that represents many Japanese automakers, publicly spoke out against the proposals. The bill in its current form has nine sponsors in the State House and passed through its second reading today; we expect more lobbying groups or potential statements from automakers and other groups until the bill passes, or the proposals are modified.

kia carnival Full OverviewWe decided to assign our long-term 2022 Kia Carnival minivan to the Detroit office after it was delivered to our SoCal HQ. So, a cross-country road-trip/familiarization drive was hastily organized to relocate our Carnival from Los Angeles to its new home in Michigan. On a Saturday in May we flew out, picked up the yearlong test van, and decamped to a family outpost in Vista, California, where we spent the afternoon customizing settings, registering with Kia Connect (formerly UVO) telematics, and purchasing and stashing all our road-trip essential maps, snacks, and cooler. The Kia's nav system estimated the direct 2,316-mile route would take 33 hours, 17 minutes, but our route would be less direct and way more entertaining. Here's what we learned about the Carnival as a road-trip machine.Day 1: Calico Ghost TownOur first stop was at the Calico Ghost Town, a former silver and borate mining boomtown near Barstow, California. It was restored in the '50s by Knott's Berry Farm founder Walter Knott, who worked in Calico as a carpenter before becoming a berry/jam/pie magnate. It's here we noticed the Carnival EX gets standard sunshades for all the rear side windows—fancy stuff in a $39,055 van. This and the standard solar reflective glass (a step up from the LX's mere tinting) helped keep the cabin cool in desert sun.World's Tallest ThermometerI-15 from L.A. to Vegas passes a 134-foot-tall digital temperature gauge in Baker, built to commemorate a record 134-degree reading from 1913. As we passed this unofficial gateway to Death Valley and the giant 392-MW Ivanpah solar-generating mirror farm, we started to miss the SX trim's ventilated front seats just a little, but my copilot registered his relief at finding visors that slide to cover the entire front side glass width—a small thing, the lack of which excludes a vehicle from his purchase consideration.Neon Sign MuseumOur first gas stop was just across the Nevada line. We should have gassed up in Baker, but the Carnival is so shy about begging for fuel (there's a brief low-fuel warning on the info screen, then there's just the tiny orange low-fuel lamp) that we pressed on until the needle was fully on E. When we only squeezed 16-plus gallons into the 19-gallon tank, we reckoned the gauge is conservative. Passing Las Vegas, we avoided the hackneyed Welcome sign in favor of the less well known Googielicious Neon Sign Museum. Its lobby once welcomed guests to the LaConcha Motel, a fabulous sign for which is included in the collection.Arizona & UtahPressing on, we marveled at the gradual change of scenery from desert, to dry hills, to increasingly verdant mountains viewing a geology lesson in heaved sedimentary formations. We exited the interstate at Cedar City on State Route 14, which climbs to 9,900 feet crossing the scenic Markagunt Plateau, and stopped at Navajo Lake, which is fed by springs through lava tubes and feeds several rivers we'd soon be crossing, including the Virgin. By now we were disappointed in the Carnival's door pockets, which are basically only good for maps (remember those?). They feature a cupholder indentation, but it only fits 12-ounce cans (remember those?) Our taller water bottles and even motel coffee cups don't fit. A midcycle refresh needs to relocate the speakers to the upper door panel to accommodate larger water bottles.Red Canyon, Utah in JulyA little way up Utah's Scenic Byway 12 en route to Bryce Canyon is Red Canyon, which features miniature "hoodoos" that preview the epic eroded stalagmite-like formations that define Bryce Canyon. Jumping back in after this photo op, CarPlay acted up, requiring multiple unplug-plug operations (wireless CarPlay is not yet available) to resume, thus interrupting our streaming performance of The Book of Mormon musical. We eventually prevailed and proceeded to the Bryce Canyon Pines motel and restaurant for a feast of local trout and berry pie.Day 2: Bryce Canyon National ParkScotsman Ebenezer Bryce, for whom this striking park is named, was a Mormon convert and "serial pioneer" who settled a half-dozen towns or villages in the region to help spread the Mormon gospel. We spent 90 minutes in the park in 39-degree overcast weather searching unsuccessfully for a location where the van could pose with the spectacular canyon, then headed back down to rejoin the interstate following a stop at…Butch Cassidy BirthplaceThe notorious horse and cattle thief/bank and train robber grew up in this quaint log structure near Circleville, Utah. Just before arriving here, a speeding dove Kamikaze-dive-bombed the Carnival's nose, releasing feathers that penetrated the joint between the fascia and front fender. Descending the steeper hills in this area, we found the eight-speed automatic's manual shifting gate an intuitive and swift way to moderate downhill speeds without traumatizing the brakes.Giant Soda CansOur Roadtrippers app suggested several fun roadside "attractions" like these tanks adorning the parking lot of a Carl's Jr. They originally wore PepsiCo liveries (7Up, Dr. Pepper, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi labels). A Carl's corporate conversion to Coke products presumably prompted the current labels. Here CarPlay went completely black-screen on us. Other native Kia screens worked, but CarPlay entered a deep and persistent snit that resisted even a "cold reboot" (park, ignition off, open and close door, lock, unlock, open and close, restart). Later, after a longer lunch stop, full CarPlay functionality mysteriously resumed.Serpentine Freeway CurvesAs part of the Carnival's Highway Driving Assist system, there's a feature that uses map and GPS data to slow down in tighter curves. Some curves on I-70 through Utah and Colorado prompted the system to decelerate way more than necessary—sometimes by 10 or 15 mph. Puke-prone preschoolers in car seats may warrant such caution, but with two adults looking out the windows, not at a screen, we overrode this feature and eventually disabled it.Snowy PassesAs we crested Vail Pass and other I-70 passes, we were met with lots of snow and dropping temperatures that dipped into the 30s. Yet, the Carnival's climate-control system managed to keep a constant temperature despite the day's wild swings in sun load and exterior temperature. As eastbound transcontinental travelers, we were saddened to see the Johnson Tunnel on I-70, which marks the beginning of the end of the journey's most epic scenery.Day 3: Pony Express & ObsolescenceThe welcome center at Julesburg, Colorado, honors the Pony Express National Historic Trail—a 1,900-mile run from St. Joseph, Missouri to San Francisco that originally took 10 days. It was rendered largely obsolete just 18 months after it was established by the advent of the telegraph. Speaking of obsolete, how is it that this brand-new minivan lacks modern conveniences like a capless fuel filler, wireless CarPlay, and USB-C jacks? This might be a long year.Rain Stays Mainly in the PlainsHard rains driven by strong headwinds torpedo our fuel economy all day, from an indicated 25 or 26 mpg through the mountains, down to 20. We skipped a visit to the Archway Museum, which pays tribute to pioneer adventurers who plied the Great Platte River Road. Crossing the plains, whoever is in the passenger seat turns to email and work, whereupon we miss the SX's 115-volt plug and our van's built-in Wi-Fi (we initiated setup back in California, but the system takes 10 days to activate). Our portable inverter and MiFi kept us connected and productive.Pioneer VillageJust east of Kearney, Nebraska, we detoured 13 miles south to Minden to see the Harold Warp Pioneer Village, a cluster of 28 buildings housing 50,000 historical artifacts including loads of cars, planes, tractors, trains, etc. We spent an afternoon and evening here during a cross-country trek in 2001 and were saddened to see the decline it's suffered in the years since. Leaving, we approached the locked Carnival with the key sharing a pocket with an iPhone in the driving rain and struggled to get in. Turns out the phone interferes with the key—a fact we'd struggle to remember in the coming days. Other cars occasionally suffer this problem; here it's always.Drizzly Des MoinesWe streamed the musical Hamilton on our way into Des Moines (later learning the Broadway touring company is in town!) and decided the non-branded audio system sounds decent but lacks any sense of spatial imaging. We found ourselves fiddling with tone settings more than we might with the SX Prestige model's 12-speaker Bose setup to mitigate this. We closed out the night with whiskeys at The Library, where nearly two decades earlier, MotorTrend digital director Erik Johnson and I met and drank with the Drake University women's basketball team during a peculiar Subaru press trip.Day 4: Detroit or BustRoad-tripping offers very few compelling roadside attractions to tempt us on the anchor leg of this journey, but the birthplace of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, at 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Indiana, lures us off the freeway (and lest you presume the road has been renamed, this neighborhood's north-south streets are all named for presidents). We both found ourselves fidgeting, readjusting the seat, and moving our legs around to stay comfortable after a few hours at the Carnival's helm. A little reverse engineering and/or patent-licensing of Nissan Zero Gravity seats might be another midcycle upgrade worth doing.Home at LastAfter four 8-9-hour driving days, we rolled into 's Detroit outpost having covered 2,470 miles and consumed 102.726 gallons of gas at a cost of $483.85. That works out to an average of 23.7 mpg—that's about 7 percent above the EPA combined rating of 22 mpg and a reasonable 7 percent below the trip computer's calculated 25.3-mpg average for the trip. Stay tuned; this rig is bound for many more adventures.Looks good! More details?2022 Kia Carnival (EX) Specifications BASE PRICE $39,055 PRICE AS TESTED $39,940 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD, 8-pass, 4-door van ENGINE 3.5L direct-injected DOHC 24-valve 60-degree V-6 POWER (SAE NET) 290 hp @ 6,400 rpm TORQUE (SAE NET) 262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,609 lb (56/44%) WHEELBASE 121.7 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 203.0 x 78.5 x 68.5 in 0-60 MPH 7.7 sec QUARTER MILE 15.8 sec @ 90.4 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 129 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.78 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 28.4 sec @ 0.58 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 19/26/22 mpg EPA RANGE, COMB 418 miles ON SALE Now TOTAL MILEAGE 3,621 mi AVERAGE FUEL ECON 22.8 mpg UNRESOLVED PROBLEM AREAS Intermittent CarPlay failure Show All