A Nissan executive has confirmed that the next-generation GT-R will be equipped with a hybrid powertrain.
The company’s chief creative officer, Shiro Nakamura, flatly rejects rumors of a mid-engine layout, though he admits the redesigned model could borrow some design elements from the 2020 Vision Gran Turismo concept.

“[GT-R chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno] says the GT-R will always be a front-engined 2+2-seater coupe,” Nakamura told Top Gear in an interview.

The executive also confirmed that “it will be a hybrid,” without elaborating. Rumors suggest the flagship coupe will carry over its current twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6, paired with a 134-horsepower electric motor. If true, the setup should approach 800 ponies.

Satisfied with sales of the current-generation GT-R, the company is in no hurry to launch its successor. Nakamura claims the new model will arrive in 2018 at the earliest.

U.S. safety regulators are looking for current and former Takata employees who may be able to come forward with information that would shed light on the company’s knowledge of defective airbags.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), acting on information that several Takata employees may have been asked to hide or alter data that pointed to quality control and safety issues.

“We encourage all individuals with information about the manufacture or testing of Takata air bag inflators, or who have knowledge of possible defects or any wrongdoing by the company, to make this information available to NHTSA,” agency spokesman Gordon Trowbridge told Reuters.

Anybody with information can call the NHTSA hotline at 1-888-327-4236. Those who come forward are protected from workplace retribution by federal law.

The ongoing recall covers millions of vehicles worldwide, and the defect has been linked to at least five deaths and multiple injuries, some as recently as last year. The scandal has taken a serious toll on Takata’s leadership, leading to the resignation of its president and general counsel.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has issued a report praising nine models with death rates at zero.
The organization cites improved vehicle design and safety technology for a broader decline in fatality risk, measured as the number of deaths per million registered vehicle years.

Looking at 2009-2012 model years, the list of vehicles with the cleanest records includes several luxury offerings, such as the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, though it also shows several more affordable options, including the Kia Sorento and Subaru Legacy.

“This is a huge improvement in just three years, even considering the economy’s influence,” said IIHS executive VP and chief research officer David Zuby. “We know from our vehicle ratings program that crash test performance has been getting steadily better. These latest death rates provide new confirmation that real-world outcomes are improving, too.”

Unsurprisingly, smaller vehicles tend to bring higher death rates. The Kia Rio sits atop the worst list, with 149 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. Following down the line are the Nissan Versa, Hyundai Accent and Chevrolet Aveo. General Motors held many of the entries, with six Chevrolet models in the top 13 death rates.

Despite the handful of bad apples, the researchers suggest there were 7,700 fewer driver deaths in 2012 alone than there would have been if vehicles remained unchanged from their 1985 models.

Dodge has released a video proving how fast the Charger SRT Hellcat can go on an lengthy stretch of racetrack.
The sedan achieves 204.55 mph during several up- and down-wind runs around a 7.5-mile oval track, calculated from average speeds during both two-mile segments in opposite directions.

The company claims the Charger SRT Hellcat is the “quickest, fastest, most powerful sedan ever,” thanks to its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The sedan promises to run the quarter mile in 11 seconds flat, on street tires.

The segment-leading performance will command $63,995 when the four-door arrives in showrooms sometime in the near future.

Toyota has issued a recall for approximately 52,000 Avalon sedans sold in the US market.
Wiring to the trunk-mounted subwoofer in 2011 and 2012 models is prone to short circuit if the wires touch the frame. The problem is said to be typically related to damage from adjacent cargo in the trunk.

If the wires create a short circuit, the subwoofer can overheat and potentially cause a fire. The company claims to be unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem.

A time-frame for fixing the defect has not yet been announced, though technicians can disconnect the subwoofer in the meantime to prevent any problems from surfacing.