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Vehicles awarded IIHS Top Safety Pick awards skyrockets for 2015 [w/video]

By practically every measure, passenger vehicles in the US are continuing to get safer. With the year rapidly coming to an end, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is releasing its annual list tallying of the scores for the latest vehicles to see how they compare to last year. Judging by the agency's evaluations, the numbers look quite positive. According to the institute, 71 vehicles earned either the Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ rating so far in its testing for 2015. Among the latest winners, there have been 33 TSP+ awards and 38 TSP medalists. That's a healthy increase over the 22 TSP+ and 17 TSP grades in 2014. The figures appear even more impressive when you consider that it keeps getting harder to earn the + designation. In the latest round of testing, a vehicle must offer some form of front crash prevention automatic braking to get the mark. Previously, just a warning to drivers was necessary. This list also illustrates the ways that automakers adapt to new testing procedures. In 2013 there were 117 TSP ratings and 13 TSP+ awards. Then, the IIHS mandated that to be a safety pick, a model had to score Good in the institute's four crash tests, plus a Good or Acceptable in the small overlap front test. That brought a plunge in 2014 to just 17 TSP grades. With the numbers climbing again, companies apparently have deciphered how to perform better. Some brands especially stood out on this year's list. The IIHS praised Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Acura for offering standard front crash prevention systems on some models. Subaru received at least one of the awards for all seven of its models. Toyota also had seven, and the Honda brand did too – though the institute counts the two- and four-door versions of the Civic and Accord separately. Check out the full announcement below and a video about this year's winners. The full list can be viewed, here. Safety gains ground: More vehicles earn top honors from IIHS The number of vehicles earning either of the Institute's two awards has jumped to 71 from 39 this time last year, giving consumers more choices for optimum protection in crashes. The number of winners in the top tier - TOP SAFETY PICK+ - has increased by 11 for 2015, despite a tougher standard for front crash prevention. "This is the third year in a row that we are giving automakers a tougher challenge to meet," says IIHS President Adrian Lund.

Subaru's first hybrid drawing close

In 2011 Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries confirmed that a hybrid Subaru would debut this year. Ever since, there's been speculation about what kind of technology the gasoline-electric hybrid would use - Subaru's own or some version of the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive, which car would debut the new system - Forester, Legacy, or Outback - and whether it would come to America or be a Japan-only model.
A report in The Detroit Bureau says that whatever that first model is, it could be shown as soon as the New York Auto Show, and while the company feels it's a must-have offering for the Japanese market it will also come to the US. It will have a Subaru-developed mild hybrid system that could have been previewed by the Hybrid Tourer concept shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, and is not expected to be able to drive on electric power alone. The Hybrid Tourer used a direct-injected, 2.0-liter boxer engine connected to a CVT and assisted by an electric motor rated at 13 horsepower. Subaru has yet to give anything away about the details of its hybrid plans, so we'll look to New York for the long-awaited unveil.

Here's your chance to own a Subaru Impreza WRX stunt car from 'Baby Driver'

Fans of the the 2017 movie "Baby Driver," pay attention, because you have another chance at owning one of the 2006 Subaru Impreza WRXs used for the film's big opening chase scene. It's fitted with a long list of modifications, though it remains street legal, and it's expected to bring in a substantial amount of money. The seller states this Impreza is one of the ones that retains the factory all-wheel drive system, but it was modified by a shop called AllPro Subaru for stunt duty. The shop removed the 2.0-liter flat-four and installed a 300-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine sourced from a WRX STI. It was rebuilt with forged pistons, while the driveline received a stronger clutch plus beefier front and rear differentials. Finally, a hydraulic hand brake helped the WRX go sideways. Inside, this Impreza WRX received an instrument cluster and other bits and pieces pulled out of the STI parts bin. It's finished in red with a black leather interior, though it was originally painted blue.  To prove the car's authenticity, the seller is including its build sheet, interviews with stunt driver Jeremy Fry, and matched screen shots in the sale. Whether it ends up in a museum or driven regularly depends on who buys it. As of writing, one person has bid on this WRX, and it's sitting at $19,000 with its reserve not met. The auction ends on July 20, and it's reasonable to speculate it will sell for much more if bidding goes beyond the reserve set by the seller. In 2017, another WRX used in the movie traded hands for $69,100 after receiving 71 bids. It looked a lot like the one that's up for grabs, but it was converted to rear-wheel drive to make it easier for the stunt drivers to drift. For context, a 2006 WRX STI with reasonable mileage and no modifications is worth about $20,000. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.