With the ever-lasting drive to reduce emissions, manufacturers are having to develop their offerings to ensure they comply with the law. Of course, electrification is gathering pace and many manufacturers are opting to focus on purely electric drivetrains in the near future. Consequently, some petrol head favorites will inevitably reach the end of the line and not get renewed.
As car enthusiasts, we really need to make the most of these gas-powered cars while we still can. Perhaps we should even be thinking ahead and buying our dream cars before they get dropped. Many cars are now in their final generation prior to an electrified redesign. Manufacturers will simply not be dedicating any more resources to their development, given legislation is soon to kill these sorts of cars off. Here are 10 cool cars that are being retired in 2022.
10 BMW i3
Having been announced in 2013, the BMW i3 has enjoyed a nine-year production run. Over this time, around 250,000 units have been sold, and it is now about to be discontinued. The i3 has a very distinctive and futuristic design, impressive for an almost 10-year-old car. On release, the i3 was the only BMW model to offer a fully electric drivetrain.
During its lifetime, various powertrain options have been available, from all-electric to a range-extender version. The car has no direct replacement, but the BMW iX1 and Mini Electric do offer a viable alternative.
9 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
Jeep has ended production of the performance focussed SRT version of the Grand Cherokee. The outgoing car provides decent performance from its 6.4-liter, naturally aspirated, Hemi V8. The 0-60 mph run takes 5.1 seconds and the quarter-mile can be completed in 13.8 seconds.
The monstrous engine produces 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Top speed meanwhile, is a very respectable 160 mph, especially for a car of this heft.
8 Lamborghini Aventador
Following an impressive 11-year production run, Lamborghini has now discontinued the iconic Aventador. The design has aged very well, credit to Lamborghini for this, mainly due to its futuristic look.
The Aventador's V12 engine is one of its main selling points. In its swansong version, the "Ultimae", 769 hp is produced from a 6.5 liter naturally aspirated unit. 0-62 mph takes 2.8 seconds and the coupe can reach a massive 221 mph top speed. 350 coupes and 250 roadsters will be produced.
7 Porsche Macan Turbo
Another victim of increasingly stringent emission regulations, the Turbo has now been discontinued by Porsche. In fact, all petrol-powered models are likely to be discontinued by 2024 and replaced by electric versions.
The Turbo was one of the best driving crossover vehicles on the market, a sports car on stilts. Powered by a 2.9 liter, twin-turbo V6, 434 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque were produced. 0-60 mph takes 4.1-4.3 seconds depending on whether Sport Chrono and consequently launch control is specified. The top speed is 167 mph.
6 Lotus Evora GT
Lotus is discontinuing not only the Evora GT but all of its current lineup, in fact, including the Evora, Elise, and Exige. The Evora GT has been the only model for sale in the US recently.
The Evora GT is powered by a 3.5 liter, 422 hp supercharged V6. 0-60 mph takes 3.8 seconds and the top speed is 188 mph. A stripped-back raw driving experience is created, primarily due to the six-speed manual transmission that provides drivers with mechanical feedback and a limited-slip differential improving power transference.
5 Mercedes AMG A35
Having been introduced to the US market in 2020, the AMG A35 has now been discontinued in the region. The A35 had been the cheapest way into AMG ownership, starting at $46,900. The car was powered by a 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder, turbocharged unit producing 302 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque.
0-60 mph took 4.6 seconds and the top speed was 155 mph. Unlike in Europe and Canada, the A35 has only ever been available as a sedan, there is no hatchback variant. Perhaps that explains the discontinuation of the sedan in this market, especially given the similar C35 AMG is available.
4 Polestar 1
The First and original model released by Polestar is facing discontinuation. Initially a performance partner for Volvo, the brand has now become established as an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. The Polestar 1 is a plug-in hybrid model comprising a petrol engine and three electric motors.
The powertrain produces a combined 609 hp through an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The model offers a 0-62 mph time of 4.2 seconds and the car will go on to a top speed of 155 mph. The electric-only range is 70 miles, once this has been depleted, the car relies on a 2.0 liter turbocharged and supercharged petrol inline-four. Production has now ended, following a four-year production run.
3 Rolls-Royce Wraith
The elegant Rolls-Royce Wraith and the convertible version, the Dawn will be discontinued in 2022. Having said that, the models will still be available to buy in other international markets until at least 2023. Unfortunately, the cars are victims of increasingly stringent US regulatory requirements.
The Wraith was marketed as being the most dynamic and powerful Rolls-Royce ever. A car to drive rather than be chauffeured in. Up front, the Wraith housed a vast 6.6 liter turbocharged V12. 633 hp was sent to the asphalt via the rear wheels, 0-60 mph took just 4.4 seconds.
2 Mercedes AMG GT Black Series
The AMG GT Black Series is Mercedes' most hardcore variant of the AMG GT. Production of the powerful model has now ceased, around 1,700 examples were manufactured. The car was never a cheap option, costing $325,000 list.
The performance did justify the price, however. A 4.0 liter, twin-turbo engine produced 730 hp, allowing for a 0-62 mph time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 201 mph.
1 Tesla Model S Plaid Plus
The Tesla Model S Plaid Plus would have been the highest performance version of the Model S available. Instead, this car was discontinued before even being produced. The car was rumored to provide buyers with a tri-motor arrangement providing 1,100 hp and 520 miles of range.
Given the "standard" Plaid provides such science bending performance figures, Tesla decided it offered more than enough performance. The Plaid produces 1,020 hp, a 390-mile battery range, and a 0-60 mph time that is sub 2 seconds.