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Subaru allegedly developing mid-engine hybrid sports coupe

A mid-engine, hybrid sports coupe could give Subaru a high-performance halo model in the coming years. According to Car and Driver, "a source close to Subaru" let slip the company has been testing the prototype powertrain underneath a BRZ at its proving grounds in Japan. "Whether the end result will be a two-door sports coupe or some kind of sports crossover/CUV is still in the evaluation stage," the anonymous source told Car and Driver. "A coupe seems more likely, though." The vehicle's layout allegedly uses a mid-mounted 1.6-liter turbocharged boxer engine with hybrid assist to spin the rear wheels, and two electric motors at the front would power that end. The resulting all-wheel drive powertrain would have about 330 horsepower or more, Car and Driver claims. If a production version happens, it would use the upcoming Subaru Global Platform. Rumors about Subaru's increased development of hybrids offer some support for this alleged sports coupe. The company reportedly might use electrification to boost the next-gen STI. In 2014, a story also suggested the automaker could revive the SVX as a performance-oriented hybrid shooting brake. More recently, even its Viziv GT Vision Gran Turismo concept combined a turbocharged boxer with three electric motors. While a Subaru sports coupe piques our interest, we are taking the prospect with a grain of salt for now. The Japanese brand has a tendency of teasing performance models but not actually delivering on them – like the STI Performance Concept (above) or the aggressive styling of the last WRX Concept. There could also be a long wait before we see what the company is developing. According to Car and Driver, a concept is at least two years away. Then it would take even more time for execs to okay production. Related Video:

2018 Subaru BRZ tS Drivers' Notes | Wings and things

It's a little hard to believe the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 (formerly the Scion FR-S) are entering their seventh model year. Both cars debuted back in 2012 and, save for a minor update last year, the cars remain unchanged. Power still comes from a 205-horsepower naturally-aspirated flat-four. That's not a lot on paper, but it's decent enough for a car that comes in under 2,900 pounds. This particular test car is one of just 500 tS special editions coming to the U.S. In addition to the wing, side skirts and wheels, the tS gets Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires, Brembo brakes, Sachs dampers and STI strut braces. It makes the tS the sharpest and best-performing BRZ in the car's seven-year run. You do pay for the extra kit, and if it's not your thing, you can still get a pretty well-equipped car for around $30,000. Editor-in-chief Greg Migliore: I sought out errands on the other side of town during my weekend in the BRZ tS. It's a blast in a way only some enthusiasts will love. The heavy steering, the low-to-the-ground profile, the rock-hard chassis — take your protein pills, man. This isn't something you want to drive when your back hurts or you're slightly hungover. No it's not a '90s Viper, and you don't need goggles and gloves, but in this era of high-horsepower SUVs with sanitized comfort modes, you need to show up with your reflexes sharp to master the BRZ, especially in track-tuned tS trim. Not every enthusiast will want this. A muscled-up Mustang or Challenger might be a better bet for long commutes on straight roads, while this Subie demands you meet its needs on something open and with a twist. It's fun. But it's intense. Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski: Not surprisingly, a pair of braces to stiffen the chassis, stiffer springs over Sachs dampers, big Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires on lightweight 18-inch wheels all conspire to make the tS the best Subaru BRZ I've ever driven. There's an aggressive body kit, too, but my time with the tS was limited to some fun runs on public roads, so I never hit the speeds where you'd really experience the aero benefits. Thing is, boosting the car's at-the-limit handling abilities really serves as a reminder that the engine isn't all that powerful. It's the same exact 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer that powers every other BRZ. These days, 205 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque feels decidedly uninspired, particularly at the tS's asking price of $34,355.

2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Special Edition shows its shining face to the Detroit crowd

The 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Special Edition is an easy model to spot thanks to its bright Sunrise Yellow paint. However, under the lights at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the shade actually looks a bit darker than the blazing tone from the original photos. Subaru is only making 1,000 of these shining models, and appropriately, they hit the market in the spring when the sun starts shining. Beyond the bright paint, buyers get a Crosstrek with a power moonroof, body-color folding mirrors and blackened headlight bezels. Inside, there's Subie's Starlink infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen and two USB ports. The all-weather package should make things easier on cold days, too, with heated seats and side mirrors, plus a windshield wiper de-icer. The whole package based around the 2.0i Premium trim rings up for $25,290, plus $850 destination and delivery.