The 2022 Kia Stinger’s Powertrain Is Dramatically Better in Every Way

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When you want a fuel-efficient sedan, you might assume your choices are limited to less powerful options. After all, powerful powertrains don’t typically equate with sensible fuel economy. But what if you could have the best of both worlds? Get excited about the 2022 Kia Stinger.

Some changes are coming to the already impressive Kia Stinger in 2022. These updates translate to both pavement-chomping performance and attractive efficiencies. And if the 2021 Kia Stinger offers any indication of what else you can expect from the upcoming 2022 model, be prepared for near-premium level experiences too.

The 2022 Kia Stinger makes powertrain changes

One of the most notable and exciting upgrades you can expect with the 2022 Kia Stinger is its powertrain. Kia is leaving the 2.0-liter I-4 behind and bringing in a more robust turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. This new variation harnesses 300 hp and brings 311 lb-ft of torque for serious off-the-line getup. That’s 45 additional horsepower from the outgoing version, according to MotorTrend. 

And for anyone concerned about gas mileage, the EPA says this new powertrain achieves 25 mpg combined, rating 22 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. In an effort to please those who crave even more performance, there will also be a gutsy twin-turbo V6 available with 368 hp.

The effects of all-wheel drive

The 2022 Kia Stinger will still have a standard rear-wheel-drive configuration. However, in 2022, the Stinger will also offer an available all-wheel-drive version.

Opting for the AWD on the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine will still be attractive at the gas pump too. The fuel economy with AWD will drop but still be relatively efficient at 24 mpg combined. 

What we know about the 2021 Kia Stinger

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Just because there are significant improvements on the 2022 Kia Stinger doesn’t mean there was anything wrong with this year’s model. The 2021 Kia Stinger is a sporty and stylish offering, with a near-premium interior, according to Edmunds. The 2021 Stinger’s price range is $33,090 to $52,590. With an upgraded powertrain, the 2022 Kia Stinger might come in at a slightly higher range. But its efficiencies could be well worth it.

Expect the 2022 model to fall in line with similar trims of today: the GT-Line, GT, GT1, and the GT2. And considering the entry-level Stinger still comes with leather, heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a wireless charging pad, the 2022 Stinger will likely follow suit. And the driver assistance features will continue to be hefty and include rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring systems, and rear cross-traffic alerts.

Anticipating the 2022 Kia Stinger

Car and Driver offers insights about the 2022 Kia Stinger. The team suggests this new powertrain is powerful, and much like the popular Kia Telluride SUV, the Kia Stinger is another quasi-luxury entry in the portfolio. 

Kia Motors America, Inc. says this impressive new Stinger will have a starting MSRP of $36,090, making it even more impressive to consumer bank accounts. And the Executive Director with Car Product & Telematics for Kia is quoted as saying, “no detail was too small to be obsessed over.” 

The 2021 Kia Stinger is already an impressive yet practical option for car buyers. But it may be worth sampling the 2022 Stinger instead. The sheer performance and fuel efficiency upgrades alone might be the value proposition you need to make your final purchasing decision.

There are rumors that a special edition Scorpion version of the 2022 Stinger, will become available this fall as well. You may decide to stick around for that introduction if special editions are your jam.

The post The 2022 Kia Stinger’s Powertrain Is Dramatically Better in Every Way appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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The Colonial Pipeline Cyberattack Could Make Gas Prices Skyrocket

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Wait, what? The Colonial Pipeline had to be shut down due to a cyberattack? Now the United States is issuing emergency legislation that’s effective immediately to assist with fuel shortages along the east coast? Let’s catch everyone up to speed on this matter. 

Was the Colonial Pipeline hit by a ransomware attack? 

Storage tanks at the Colonial Pipeline Co. | Getty Images

According to The Washington Post, a ransomware attack led to the entire shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel pipeline systems in the nation. It carries almost half of the gasoline, diesel, and other fuels on the East Coast.  

The pipeline operator fell prey to the cyberattack on Friday, but on Sunday, Colonial Pipeline operators shared that a restart plan is being developed. Also, a few smaller lines are now operational. 

U.S. officials believe that the attack was carried out by an Eastern European-based criminal gang known as DarkSide. Shutting the system helped to protect critical information and data. After gaining access to private networks and crucial information during attacks like these, the system is locked up. The attackers generally demand a ransom fee to free things up. 

When will the pipeline reopen? 

Fuel Truck on Highway | Getty Images

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It may take the Colonial Pipeline a few days to a few weeks to reopen. According to CNBC, the pipeline transports 2.5 million barrels of fuel a day. It connects to refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast to more than 50 million people in the Southern and Eastern United States. 

Emergency legislation has been issued to aid fuel delivery while the system is down. President Joe Biden declared a regional emergency, allowing new measures to go into action. As a result, the USDOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a temporary hours-of-service exemption. 

The exemption allows truckers who carry refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel to operate outside of their regular hours. This exemption will last until the end of the emergency or until June 8, depending on which is first. 

Generally, truck drivers can only operate for 11 hours a day, but for the time being, they can put in extra hours to deliver supplies to Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. 

Are gas prices going to rise? 

A gas pump fills up a gas tank
A gas pump filling a vehicle | Getty Images

Maybe, the impact on gas prices will vary based on when the Colonial Pipeline comes back online. If the pipeline is partially restarted by Wednesday, May 12, then no significant or long-lasting impacts are expected. 

If it takes six to 10 days to reopen, then inventories will rise in the U.S. Gulf Coast, causing fuel prices to fall as prices in the East Coast rise. If it takes more than 10 days to come back online, then refineries in the Gulf Coast may have to reduce their runs, and oil prices may be affected. This could also cause significant fuel shortages in the South East. 

The market is responding very cautiously, as it’s unclear when the pipeline will reopen. Gasoline futures are up by 1.28 percent, to $2.1542 per gallon. Heating oil futures have increased by 0.73 percent to $2.0252. 

As the outage continues, the shortages could become more severe. In the next few days, East Coast residents may see products start running low or completely out. But all we can do is keep an eye on things for now.

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The Best Electric Lawn Mowers According to Consumer Reports

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In the market for a new lawn mower? The good news is that you have plenty of options to consider, especially if it’s an electric lawn mower that you’re after. The even better news is that Consumer Reports has the inside scoop on the best electric lawn mowers you can buy. Let’s find out what they are.

Reasons to buy an electric lawn mower over a gas one

Electric lawn mower. | Karl Gehring, The Denver Post

There are several reasons to consider buying an electric lawn mower over a gas-powered one. CNET reports that electric lawn mowers often require less maintenance than gas-powered ones do. They are also easier to maneuver and not quite as loud as gas-powered mowers are. 

Those aren’t the only benefits of buying an electric lawn mower either. CNET added that electric lawn mowers are considered better for the environment. In fact, according to data gathered by CNET, one hour of mowing your lawn with a gas-powered mower generates the same level of pollution as driving a car for 300 miles does.

Are electric mowers as good as gas-powered ones?

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Sure, electric lawn mowers are considered an alternative to gas-powered mowers. But are electric lawn mowers as good as gas-powered ones? According to The Spruce, it all depends on what you’re looking for in your next mower.

While electric lawn mowers are considered a perfect fit for small yards, if you need a mower capable of cutting more than a quarter of an acre, The Spruce recommends opting for a gas-powered riding lawn mower. Gas mowers also do a better job of cutting tall grass, reports The Spruce.

But if your lawn is on the smaller side and you don’t foresee yourself having to tackle any knee-high grass? Then, chances are, an electric lawn mower will work just as well as a gas one.

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The best electric push lawn mowers

When it comes to choosing the best electric push lawn mower, Consumer Reports says you can’t go wrong with the Ryobi RY401200 ($480). This electric lawn mower excels at cutting grass evenly and does very well in bagging mode. The only drawback is that this electric mower takes approximately 40 minutes to charge.

For another option, consider the DR Power Equipment CE75021XEN0 ($600). While this electric lawn mower is expensive, it boasts a very long run time of approximately 80 minutes. Consumer Reports also gave it Excellent scores for tasks like mulching and handling.

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Also recommended by Consumer Reports is the Ego LM2101 ($499). Consumer Reports gave it an Excellent rating for handling and charge time. It also earned Very Good ratings for tasks like side-discharging, mulching, and evenness.

Say those options don’t quite do it for you. If that’s the case, Consumer Reports also included mowers like the DeWalt DCMWP233U2 ($499) and the Hart HLPM011 ($248) in its list of The Best Battery Push Mowers. 

The best self-propelled electric lawn mowers

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Say you would prefer a self-propelled electric lawn mower. If that’s the case, Consumer Reports recommends putting the Ego LM2156SP ($750) at the top of your list. According to the organization, you can count on this self-propelled electric lawn mower to run for 60 minutes. It also takes less time to charge than other electric mowers. It earned some pretty high ratings from Consumer Reports too.

The Ryobi RY401140US ($499) is another self-propelled electric lawn mower recommended by Consumer Reports. It’s also a CR Best Buy. The organization reports that the Ryobi RY401140US did well in cutting evenness, side-discharging, mulching, and handling tests. It also earned a Very Good score for bagging.

For additional options, Consumer Reports suggests checking out self-propelled electric lawn mowers such as the Ego LM2102SP ($524.00 – $697.95), which is also a CR Best Buy. Consider the Makita XML08PT ($849.00 – $949.99) and the Toro Recycler 21466 ($499.00 – $575.55) too.

The post The Best Electric Lawn Mowers According to Consumer Reports appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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What does the U.S. Department of Transportation do?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The U.S. Department of Transportation is an important part of the infrastructure system in the country. The DOT doesn’t cover only automobiles but public transportation, railroads, and roads. Waterways, bridges, and trucking are also included. Car safety and aviation are also included under the DOT umbrella.

What are the duties of the Department of Transportation?

The U.S. Department of Transportation helps make roads safer for drivers | Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Department of Transportation website has all kinds of information like vehicle recalls, safety ratings, road safety, and vehicle technology.

“To improve the quality of life for all American people and communities, from rural to urban, and to increase the productivity and competitiveness of American workers and businesses.”

U.S. Department of Transportation

The agency is responsible for maintaining the country’s road infrastructure and various modes of transportation. This covers all transportation forms like busses, trains, cars, ships, and planes.

One of the lesser-known responsibilities is the University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program. The program helps offer grants to various university programs around the country. After that, the students attend a two or four-year school.

By offering students state-of-the-art transportation schooling, the company has a line of new transportation professionals right out of college.

The DOT also offers grants to help build safer and more efficient roads for people. In 2021, a new grant was established called Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE).

This UTC program has awarded over $8 billion in grants for projects in the U.S., D.C., and Puerto Rico since 2019. These opportunities create jobs and make our roads safer.

What doesn’t the DOT cover?

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Often, individual state governments will cover a large part of the process. The DOT helps collaborate and offer funds for new infrastructure. This is especially applicable to large areas or areas that span more than one state.

However, the Transportation Department covers airline and airport regulations. Similarly, the Federal Aviation Administration is a section of the DOT that covers other aviation issues.

A program called the Build America Bureau works with the Department of Transportation to help fund projects. The Bureau helps coordinate between states and other sponsors who need funding from the DOT.

However, many departments work together to keep drivers safe.

What does the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration do?

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an essential part of driving and automobiles. If car safety is important to you, the NHTSA is an important part of that.

The company’s mission statement is to “Save lives, prevent injuries and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes, through education, research, safety standards, and enforcement activity.” In other words, the NHTSA and the DOT work together for safety.

In 1970, the company set forth to reduce deaths and injuries on the road from automobile accidents. In 1978, the NHTSA started testing and rating vehicles using test dummies.

The NHTSA formed the five-star safety rating system in 1993 to help consumers make more informed decisions when buying a car.

As time progressed, the NHTSA started doing more comprehensive crash testing. In conclusion, the NHSTA continues to grow and evolve to make driving safer for drivers and passengers.

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