Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…

California’s ICE Ban Could Be Pushed Forward To 2030

The Californian end date for the sale of ICE cars was originally set for 2035, but legislators are attempting to bring that forwards. While some Californian cities were already planning to ban ICE sales by 2030, the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party recently adopted a resolution calling for the end of new ICE car sales across the state by 2030.

2022 Subaru WRX Gets Just 3 HP More, But First Ever Adaptive Suspension Option

In case you missed it, Subaru launched the new 2022 WRX, and it’s offered with adaptive suspension and a six-speed manual transmission. There’s also a CVT option, which is said to be 30 percent faster on upshifts and 50 percent faster on downshifts. The CVT is fitted as standard on the upscale WRX GT. Fans of forced-induction flat-fours get a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine that outputs 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Power is delivered to all four wheels (obviously), while the car’s plastic-like wheel arches give definite crossover vibes, for better or worse.

QOTD: Did Subaru Make A Mess Of The 2022 WRX?

While the above release of the WRX did include some nice elements (the price and the option of a manual transmission), it also left us scratching our heads a little. Many of us had hoped for a bit more power (rumors pointed to at least 300hp), and the design of the new car does look a little bit like an old Honda Civic. Those crossover-esque wheel arches are dividing opinion too. Hmmm…

Toyota CEO Warns About The Dangers Of Autonomous Vehicles After Paralympics Incident

Toyota’s President, Akio Toyoda, has been highly critical of electric cars in the past. And following an incident where one of the company’s e-Palette vehicles hit an athlete during the 2020 Paralympic Games, Toyoda apologized and warned of the dangers of autonomous cars. “There is this pressure on carmakers to be the first to release Level 5 vehicles but I have been saying that we should not jump onto such a bandwagon,” he said.

Driven: The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Mixes Crossover Comfort With Truck Capability

Is it a truck? Is it a car? Well, that’s what CarScoops’ Michael Gauthier set to find out when he got behind the wheel of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Hyundai themselves refer to the Santa Cruz as a “sport adventure vehicle” and a “lifestyle crossover with an open bed.” What he finds is a stylish and practical alternative to the norm, if perhaps not being as capable as your traditional pick-up.

Questionable Design Trends: Squared Steering Wheels

In our latest design discussion, we question the trend of squared-off steering wheels. It’s certainly not a new concept, as featured on cars built as early as the 1920s. Even the Austin Allegro featured a “quartic” wheel. So how do newer cars such as The Aston Martin Valhalla, Lotus Evija and AMG One compare? And what about Tesla and their infamous Yoke design?

Watch What Happens When You Try To Drive A Tesla Model S Plaid Under 7 Feet Of Water

You might think water and EVs don’t mix — but in actual fact, it’s theoretically easier to drive an electric vehicle underwater than it is to drive an internal combustion vehicle. Well, that’s the theory. In terms of application, it’s not as simple, especially because of the mighty power of buoyancy.

What Else Is Making The News

Daniel Ricciardo Leads McLaren 1-2 As Championship Leaders Collide… Again

 

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In a well-deserved return to the top, Daniel Ricciardo secured his first win since 2018 and McLaren’s first victory since the end of the 2012 season. Meanwhile, championship contenders Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton collided with each other in a scary accident which saw the Red Bull’s tyre come into contact with Hamilton’s helmet. Both drivers were out of the race, while Verstappen was later adjudged more at fault, and will serve a three-place grid penalty at the next race.

Emma Raducanu Wins US Open

In the first men or women’s major final featuring unseeded platers since the open ear began, Emma Raducanu won an intense US Open final against Leylah Fernandez. She’s also apparently a fan of Daniel Ricciardo, so a good weekend for her then.