Subaru's popular Impreza WRX performance sedan has received a raft of updates for the 2009 model, including more power, torque and a much anticipated sedan variant. There is also an improved suspension package, a more efficient engine, reduced emissions and no price increases.

Unlike most major manufacturers who have experienced falling sales in the wake of the current fuel crisis, Subaru has gone from strength to strength in the U.S. market, where it has experienced strong growth for the past year. To build on that success, Subaru is expanding its all-wheel-drive Impreza range, with the addition of several non-turbocharged sedan models to the lineup.

Subaru will display three new special-edition Impreza WRX vehicles at this week’s London Motor Show, with the cars on show led by a brand new concept dubbed the WRX STI 380S. Two of the three models have already been green-lighted for production (the 190kW WRX-S and the 243kW WRX STI 330S), with the hottest of them all, the STI 380S concept, being considered for a limited production run based on the public's reaction to the car at the show.

The all-new Subaru Exiga seven-seat wagon was released last month in Japan and the vehicle is now being considered for an Australia release with local officials currently in negotiations with Subaru’s parent company back in Japan. The spacious-but-efficient MPV class is already a tough market, but with fuel prices driving buyers away from larger vehicles it may be the right time for a sporty new entry.

Effectively completing a deal announced in April, Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) on Friday agreed to sell 61 million treasury stocks to Toyota for a price of ¥31.11 billion (approximately $303 million). The new shares increase Toyota's holding in FHI from 9.5% to 16.16%, improving the capital on hand at FHI and Subaru while deepening the ties born in 2005 when Toyota acquired its original stake from General Motors.

Toyota's latest payment is expected to be completed by July 14.

Subaru has revealed a new electric concept vehicle at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in Japan, and announced plans to build a limited run of five cars to undergo a new trial. The new prototype, called the Plug-in Stella Concept, combines the electric powertrain from the R1e concept electric vehicle with the compact Stella platform (pictured).

It was only two months ago that Toyota and Subaru confirmed the joint-development of a new affordable sports car and now we have the first images of a prototype caught testing in a secret UK location. The manufacturers have previously said the new car will be sold by both Toyota and Subaru, although it's likely the Toyota version will be exclusive to the Japanese market while the Subaru model will be a global version. Neither model has yet been confirmed for Australia.