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Nine cars we wish were convertibles

The snow has melted, the sun is shining, and the days are getting longer. At the Autoblog Detroit office we feel like our winter hibernation is finally over. And with warmer temperatures come visions of opening up a convertible roof and cruising. You know, just turn up the bass and let the Alpine blast. There are plenty of droptops on sale in the US, and more on the way (like the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata). That said, we always want more. More! More! More! In that spirit, we cooked up a list of nine cars aren't currently sold as convertible, but ought to be. Check out our picks, below. Summer's just around the corner. Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S In some parallel universe, this car actually happened. Toyota showed us a FT 86 Convertible concept at the Geneva Motor Show in 2013, and we immediately started licking our chops over the thought of a rear-wheel-drive convertible based on the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S twins. These days, the MX-5 Miata is our only option for affordable roadster fun. A competitor to the Mazda seems like a no-brainer to us, especially since we have naught but good to say about the BRZ/FR-S as-is. Unfortunately in our present timeline, this car is as likely for production as a BRZ STI. Which is to say, not very. Dang. Lexus RC F Unlike the FR-S, a convertible from Toyota's luxury division might actually see the light of day. The current IS convertible is about to be phased out, and the Lexus LF-C2 concept from the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show is really a thinly veiled look at a possible RC convertible. A droptop RC would be plenty good, but let's reach for the starts. What we really want is to run topless in an RC F, complete with that powerful, loud, 5.0-liter V8 engine. Lexus says the RC F is a true competitor to the BMW M4. If that's true, it only makes sense for Lexus to mimic the Germans and offer its performance coupe in a folding hardtop form. Maybach Landaulet Maybach is bach back, recast as an upper crust trim level for Mercedes-Benz. The Mercedes-Maybach S600 is seriously awesome, and more luxurious than a trip to the spa. But why not go a step into the truly ridiculous levels of extravagence and bring back that open-top Landaulet? We think your local princess will love this idea, and with better S-Class bones underneath, Jeeves will have a pretty enjoyable ship to steer, too. Besides, with that slick new Mercedes design language, a Landaulet redux wouldn't be nearly as hideous as the old model, pictured here.

Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Subaru expand global Takata recalls by 715k [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Subaru of America spokesperson Michael McHale tells Autoblog that the company is recalling 78,000 Imprezas from the 2004 and 2005 model years in the US. This is a national expansion of the company's previous regional recall for the Impreza. The Takata airbag inflator recall just keeps growing. The latest expansion encompasses 715,000 vehicles from Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Subaru. Many of the affected models are in Japan. The largest expansion from these three automakers comes from Mitsubishi. According to Reuters, the company is adding 100,000 vehicles in Japan and 412,000 outside of the country without identifying any specific regions. Mazda is issuing safety campaigns for 112,000 vehicles in Japan, and some of these include models that the company produces there for Mitsubishi and Nissan, according to Reuters. In statement to Autoblog (embedded below), Mazda said that it is still evaluating the situation in terms of a possible effect on the US. Finally, Subaru is calling in 91,000 Imprezas in Japan. At this time, it isn't clear whether Mitsubishi's or Subaru's expansions affect the United States, but Autoblog has reached out to them for more information. According to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, exposure to moisture can cause the propellant in these inflators to ignite too quickly and cause these dangerous ruptures. Takata has also been investigating the problem. Related Video: Mazda statement "We are aware of the NHTSA/Takata announcement, and are evaluating the effects of it on Mazda. As soon as we have had a chance to fully evaluate the situation – number of vehicles affected, age of those vehicles, where they're located, etc. – we will be able to share those details."

A mighty Outback breaks ground at Subaru's new USA HQ

Subaru is getting down to business at its new American headquarters. Announced just a year ago, the Japanese automaker just broke ground for construction of the new facility. And though it's moving from its existing location, the company is staying in New Jersey just as it has for nearly half a century now. The new facility is being built in Camden, opposite Campell's headquarters in a development spearheaded by the soup company. As part of the project, Subaru will relocate its current offices from Cherry Hill and Pennsauken to the new Camden headquarters, which will accommodate over 600 employees in one building with 250,000 square feet and another with 83,000 – more than double the size of its current headquarters. The distribution and training center, however, will stay put in Florence, NJ. The $118 million project is earmarked for completion by the end of 2017. The groundbreaking ceremony took place yesterday in front of an array of historic Subaru models. The earth itself was moved by a specially prepared yellow Outback wagon with a plow attached to the front. Subaru's decision to remain in Jersey comes in stark contrast to Mercedes' move out of the state and down south to Georgia. Other automakers with their North American headquarters in New Jersey include Volvo in Rockleigh, Mitsubishi (ironically) in Swedesboro, BMW in Woodcliff Lake, and Jaguar Land Rover in Mahwah. SUBARU OF AMERICA BREAKS GROUND ON NEW HEADQUARTERS IN CAMDEN, NJ Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. today broke ground on its future home in Camden, NJ. The company plans to develop an all-new $118 million corporate headquarters in the city, and in doing so, maintain its corporate headquarters in New Jersey as it has for approaching 50 years. The automaker's new headquarters will be located adjacent to Campbell Soup Company's world headquarters. The Subaru of America campus will be the first new corporate headquarters in Knights Crossing, a master plan urban town center community, being developed by Brandywine Realty Trust. The ground-breaking ceremony featured a display of historic Subaru vehicles from the company's 50 years in the Delaware Valley, as well as a unique earth moving/groundbreaking ceremony conducted by a specially-produced Subaru Outback with an attached plow. Thomas J.