Quote:
Originally Posted by EnerJi
We can thank the high price of gasoline and the ever-more-aggressive fuel standards coming into effect globally.
Unfortunately, as the WSJ (apologies for the indirect link), Car and Driver, and many others lamented a few years ago, we truly are living at the tail end of the horsepower era.
It will be interesting to see if BMW can maintain its "ultimate driving machine" heritage over the next few years. One thing's for certain: four bangers, auto-start-stop, and the electrification of previously hydraulic components are here to stay, as are ridiculously tight allocations for the less fuel-efficient models in the lineup. |
People also thought performance was going the way of the Dodo bird in the 70s when emissions standards and gas shortages struck. What happened? Cars are more efficient and powerful than ever.
Electric power steering systems are still in their early generations; auto manufacturers will figure it out. Efficiency standards have already greatly increased and performance hasn't fallen by the wayside (N20 anyone?)
Rumors of performance's demise are greatly exaggerated.