Whenever a Subaru WRX gets released, the car lovers expect its higher-performing sibling to follow behind. According to the trend so far, the much-loved WRX STI always hits the market soon after the release of WRX. With the introduction of the recent Subaru WRX 2022, car enthusiasts all over assumed that the much-anticipated STI 2022 version will follow suit. But unfortunately, that won’t be the case this time!
The Official Declaration
In an official statement released by Subaru, it was confirmed that there will be no STI version of the latest-generation WRX model. According to the statement, the company is focusing on meeting the needs of the changing automotive marketplace and the increasing demand for eco-friendly vehicles. So the future sports and performance cars of Subaru will move towards electrification, meeting the requirements and regulations for zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), and greenhouse gasses (GHG). Meanwhile, in order to further explore the opportunities for electrification for the next-gen WRX STI, the traditional WRX STI model with an internal combustion engine will not be produced by the brand.
The Future Possibilities
According to a Subaru spokesperson, if a new WRX STI does show up in the future, its technology won’t be based on this current generation model. The company is possibly eyeing to launch a hybrid or fully electric version soon. It’s also unclear how long it would take for the new car model to hit the market. But since the latest WRX model has not even appeared in showrooms yet, it is assumed it would take at least 2-3 years for the new car. So, while there will be no new WRX STI any time soon, the updated model will likely feature an electrified powertrain. Now, time will only determine the effect of this widespread shift to electrification on the dedicated Subaru customers.
BMW Is the Top-Selling Luxury Brand in the United States in 2020
In a year in which vehicle sales were down across the board, BMW managed to have some good news to report. With 278,732 cars sold, the famous brand narrowly took the crown in luxury-car sales in the United States. As an online blog points out, BMW was just ahead of Lexus, which sold 275,041 cars, and Mercedes-Benz with their 274,916 completed sales. Audi sold 186,520 automobiles in 2020, while Acura rounded the extravagant top-five with 136,982 vehicles. The top-selling models were the X3 and X5 crossovers, though the 3-Series remained strong with over 41,000 units sold.
BMW X3: Balance Between Price and Comfort
The idea of a BMW SUV used to be quite provocative. Many people were sure that the brand that brought the world lithe-handling sport sedans should not create a big-and-tall family hauler. Then again, many people were delighted that they can choose their favorite brand while having the convenience and comfort of an SUV. X3 is a nice luxury SUV and a solid, well-rounded choice. The biggest news for the 2020 model of the X3 is the addition of three new variants, the high-performance X3 M, M Competition, and the impressive xDrive30e plug-in hybrid.
BMW X5: Luxury & Performance
The 2020 model of the X5 is great for long drives, vacation rides, and everyday lives. With the greatest and latest from Germany, the SUV is ready to perform any task that a driver might have. It’s powered by the in-line 6-cylinder engine in the xDrive40i. It packs a lot of performance, and it’s coupled with its Dynamic Damper Control that helps to change the suspension settings on the fly. Special sensors monitor the movement of the wheels over 400 times per second, and they can easily adjust the shock absorbers to give the driver the best possible handling as well as a smooth ride.
it’s safe to say that most American drivers in 2020 have chosen BMW as their daily vehicle because the German vehicle manufacturer knows who to strike the right balance between comfort, performance, and value.