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IIHS says these are the safest cars of 2013

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has revealed its annual list of Top Safety Picks, an award that highlights automobiles it says offer "superior crash protection." A new and still more significant award, the Top Safety Pick+ honor, is given to those vehicles that earn good ratings for occupant protection in four out of five areas of measure. And while some 117 vehicles were given the TSP seal of approval for 2013, just 13 passed muster for TSP+.
To be fair, IIHS only evaluated 29 vehicles with its new testing procedures for TSP+ (we'd expect that the number of qualified cars will rise substantially for 2014). Luxury and Near Luxury midsize cars were the first groups evaluated, followed by midsizers in the Moderately Priced Cars category - unsurprisingly, it's only midsize cars that you'll find among the class this year.
Only two luxury sedans made the list of 13 for 2013: the Acura TL and Volvo S60. The other 11 cars on the list included entries from domestic, Japanese and German car makers: Dodge Avenger, Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord (sedan and coupe), Kia Optima (but not its close kin, the Hyundai Sonata, strangely), Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy and Outback, Suzuki Kizashi and the Volkswagen Passat all made the grade.

2018 Subaru Outback to show fresh new face in New York

The refreshed and facelifted 2018 Subaru Outback was revealed today, just ahead of its debut next week at the 2017 New York Auto Show. While not all new, the Outback gets a more aggressive appearance, improved ride and handling, and some new standard and optional equipment. Pricing hasn't been announced, but the 2018 Outback will go on sale sometime later this year. While there haven't been many changes to the overall body, the Outback's front and rear fascias have been updated to fall in line with the rest of Subaru's lineup. The C-shaped headlights and wide grille recall the new 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. According to Subaru, the shape is supposed to remind you of the boxer engine design, with the lights moving outward from the grille. The LED headlights are available with a feature that points them in the direction of the steering wheel. Limited and Touring models come with automatic high beams courtesy of Subaru's EyeSight safety suite. New cladding on the front is intended to better protect the body from dirt and rocks when soft-roading. There will be new wheel designs across the entire Outback range. 2.5i base and Premium models come with 17-inch wheels, while Limited and Touring models come with 18-inch wheels. All models except the range-topping Touring come with roof rails with retractable crossbars. The Touring comes with low-profile rails and detachable crossbars. Subaru claims improvements to the Outback's chassis and suspension provide a smoother, quieter ride than the current model. The brakes and the electronic power steering have also been retuned for a more linear response. Improvements to the CVT, the door mirrors, side glass, and wheel wells should help quell some road noise. There have been upgrades to the interior, including a redesigned center console. Backseat passengers now have access to two USB ports. New materials and colors will be available for both the seating surfaces and trim pieces. Subaru also says an improved air conditioning system will cool the cabin more quickly than before. The 2018 Outback gets the latest version of Subaru's Starlink infotainment system. That means Bluetooth phone and audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a TomTom navigation system with three years of map updates in the top level models. The standard touchscreen is 6.5 inches, while an 8-inch system is an available option. Premium, Limited, and Touring models get over-the-air WiFi updates.

Autoblog Minute: Redbull Global Rallycross makes its first ever stop in Detroit

Red Bull Global Rallycross makes its first ever visit to Detroit halfway through the 2015 season. Autoblog's Chris McGraw and Eddie Sabatini report on this edition of Autoblog Minute. Show full video transcript text [00:00]It's halfway through the 2015 season as Red Bull Global Rallycross makes its first visit to Detroit, I'm Chris McGraw and this is your Autoblog Minute. For the uninitiated, Global Rallycross or GRC is mixed surface, sprint style auto racing; like World Rally Cars vehicles are heavily modified production models tuned to racing spec. We sent Autoblog's Eddie Sabatini to the track on Belle Isle for a closer look. [00:30] [EDDIE SABATINI INTERVIEW] [01:00] With multiple auto manufacturers, numerous press outlets, and scores of Michigan based race fans, Detroit proves to be a crucial stop for the GRC tour. For Autoblog, I'm Chris McGraw. Autoblog Minute is a short-form news video series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals.