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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:

Drive-up bank robbery perpetrated with Cayenne and WRX

Thieves carried out what appears to be a movie-script-perfect robbery of a bank in Sydney, Australia early on Friday morning, using two stolen high-performance vehicles in the process.
At around 11:15 AM local time, in near mid-day light, reports say that two men in masks smashed into the side of a Westpac bank in a confirmed-stolen black Porsche Cayenne. The perpetrators were armed with sledgehammers according to witness reports, and took only about five minutes to take what they were after inside of the bank.
The rapid getaway was executed in a Subaru WRX, also confirmed as a stolen vehicle, while witnesses snapped camera phone images of the illicit goings on. One Twitter user posted a few of the images to his social media feed; you can take a look at them in our small gallery below. Follow on down for the full video report, from The Sydney Morning Herald.

Takata recall of 10 million replacement airbag inflators could get even larger

Takata is recalling 10 million replacement air bag inflators in the United States, the largest ever auto safety recall in history, as U.S. regulators consider whether to expand its scope to include modules that have not yet been the subject of a recall campaign.  Nearly every OEM that sells cars in the U.S. falls under the umbrella of this replacement part recall, including the Detroit Three, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Daimler, Subaru and Volkswagen (including Audi).  The 10 million inflator recall made public in early January covers inflators that were a temporary fix. The figure includes some replacement modules that never made it into customer vehicles. Several automakers, including Subaru, have already initiated campaigns to replace the previously recalled inflators with updated parts. Separately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is assessing whether to compel the recall of tens of millions of additional Takata air bag inflators that have a drying agent. It is also reviewing petitions from General Motors Co to avoid recalling more than 6 million vehicles with Takata inflators. GM has said it could cost $1.2 billion if it had to recall the vehicles. Prior to Wednesday, 41.6 million U.S. vehicles equipped with 56 million defective Takata air bags have been recalled because the inflators can explode when deployed. At least 25 deaths worldwide and more than 290 injuries have been linked to faulty Takata inflators. The Takata recalls cover about 100 million inflators among 19 major automakers worldwide. NHTSA says the cause of the inflator explosions that can emit deadly fragments is propellant breaking down after long-term exposure to high temperature fluctuations and humidity. The vehicle inflators recalled to date do not have a drying agent. Under a 2015 consent order, Takata had to provide data to U.S. regulators by Dec. 31 about whether tens of millions of additional so-called desiccated inflators need to be recalled. Acting NHTSA Administrator James Owens told Reuters the agency was reviewing data on the desiccated inflators and talking to automakers. "We are going to lean in on safety and if we detect a safety problem we will immediately take action," Owens said, adding that the agency could make a decision early in 2020.