Ford has issued four recall campaigns, affecting a grand total of 163,000 newer vehicles.

Most of the numbers are related to a defective wiring harness installed in the 2013-2014 Ford Focus ST and Escape, but only models outfitted with 2.0-liter engines.

The harness is used to send signals to the powertrain control module. Some of the splices were insufficiently compressed by an unnamed supplier, potentially leading to signal glitches that can cause loss of engine power or stalling.

Approximately 1,300 Lincoln MKC crossovers from the 2015 model year have been recalled for a separate issue related to bubble imperfections in the windshield glass. The company suggests high temperatures can exacerbate the problem.

Two other campaigns focus on the 2015 Ford Transit, affecting a total of just 1,900 vehicles. One recall focuses on a bad joint between the rear brake hose and the caliper, allowing fluid to leak. The second problem has been blamed on a manufacturing error that omitted necessary epoxy reinforcement from windowless sliding doors, allowing the door to unlatch in certain side-impact crash scenarios.

Ford has not reported any accidents or injuries blamed on the various defects.

A report coming out of Japan finds that Mazda is developing an ultra-efficient new powertrain that could arrive as soon as 2017.

According to Japan’s The Yomiuri Shimbun, Mazda is currently working on a diesel-hybrid system that will likely pair a variant of Toyota’s hybrid hardware – already used in the JDM-only Mazda3 Hybrid – with either a 1.5- or 2.2-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder.

An early 2017 launch is possible in the European and Japanese markets, though it’s unclear whether the diesel-hybrid powertrain will be available in the United States. Also unknown is which model – or models – the setup could be offered in, although the Mazda3 and new-generation Mazda2 strike us as likely candidates.

Mazda is said to be targeting fuel efficiency of 40 km per liter on the Japanese JC08 test cycle.

The diesel-hybrid system isn’t the only green tech rumored to be in Mazda’s pipeline – previous reports have claimed that the automaker is also preparing a Mazda2 plug-in hybrid with a unique rotary range-extender engine.

Subaru has reaffirmed plans to launch a new three-row crossover model, which will replace the discontinued Tribeca.

Speaking to Cars.com at a media gathering, Subaru communications manager Dominick Infante promised the company is “not giving up” on the idea. Engineers and designers are said to be “actively working on a next-generation three-row.”

Additional details remain unclear, though the company is likely attempting to create an offering that is substantially different from the poor-selling Tribeca. A larger overall size will help engage US buyers as the crossover and SUV markets continue to surge.

Infante suggested the final form has not been determined, as the company faces a choice between building an upsized Outback or embracing a sportier aesthetic. Previous rumors suggest the VIZIV 2 concept may represent the latter route, potentially with the first plug-in diesel hybrid powertrain to be offered in the US market.

Whatever form Subaru chooses, the new model may arrive sometime in 2016 or 2017.

It’s been decades in the making, but the world may finally see a mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette.

The idea of a mid-engined Corvette has been dangled in front of us for the better part of five decades, but nothing has ever materialized. However, that could soon change as Motor Trend reports that a Corvette with its engine in the middle could debut as soon as next spring.

Since every single mid-engined Corvette rumor has fizzled out this one should be taken with a grain of salt, but MT claims that the next-generation C7 Corvette ZR1 will debut with its engine mounted mid-ship. Moreover, the rag says the new ZR1 will debut before the 2015 Indianapolis 500.

Launching a mid-engined ZR1 alongside the front-engined C7 Stingray may seem a little odd, but MT says that General Motors completed most of the engineering work years ago. You see, the C7 was originally designed as a mid-engined car, but those plans were switched to a front-engine layout following the company’s financial woes. Designs for the mid-engine Corvette were put on hold, but never completely scrapped.

Going forward, Chevy could separate the Corvette line into its own vehicle family – think how Land Rover offers several different flavors of the Range Rover. The C8 Stingray would carry on as a front-engine, rear-drive affair, while the C8 ZR1 and a rumored Zora model – named after Zora Arkus-Duntov, the “Father of the Corvette” – would be mid-engined and offer rear- or all-wheel drive. The Stingray would continue Corvette’s value stance while the ZR1/Zora would command as much as $200,000 and rival high-end vehicles like the Ferrari 458.

Power figures are unknown at this time, but 800-horsepower has been suggested for the upcoming ZR1.

Adding another level of intrigue, Cadillac could get its very own version of the mid-engine Corvette. Cadillac’s supercar would be tuned more as a GT and aimed at vehicle like the Audi R8. Pricing would be much steeper than the R8, however, with a rumored price tag of $250,000.

Will Chevy’s mid-engined Corvette finally come to fruition next year? We’re not sure, but color us intrigued.

Startup Renovo Motors has unveiled an all-electric Shelby Daytona sports coupe.

The company has “operated in stealth mode” for four years to develope the car, which is based on a factory-modified Shelby CSX9000 rolling chassis.

The Renovo offering will be much quieter than other Daytona builds, as it omits a gasoline engine in favor of twin mid-mounted electric motors that produce over 500 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of instantaneous torque.

Drivers can expect to be launched to 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.4 seconds, though the top speed is limited to 120 mph.

The drivetrain accounts for less than 40 percent of the car’s 3,250-pound curb weight, suggesting the company is using a battery pack smaller than that of a Tesla Roadster. Estimated range has not been cited in the initial announcement, though Renovo promises the battery can be recharged in just 30 minutes.

“At the track, the Coupe can be charged between run sessions, offering the first true circuit-ready EV,” the company notes.

The interior pairs classic needle gauges with a modern circular digital display, while a drive selector allows brake regeneration to be manually controlled while on the fly.

The company suggests the Coupe is already set to begin series production in 2015, with pre-sales commencing this weekend at Pebble Beach.