No rear-drive Fords
Plans for rear-wheel-drive Ford and Lincoln sedans have been shelved because of uncertain demands, Automotive News reports. As Ford design chief J Mays said, "We've got other priorities at the moment." Ford was expected to roll out new rear-drive cars in the 2013 model year that shared a platform with a large car developed for Australia.
Mazda's rocket
Auto Week reports that Mazda will soon launch the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3, the performance five-door hatchback version of its new Mazda 3. The high-output model is powered by a 2.3-liter, direct-injection, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. No word yet on price.
Honda's Latitude
Plans for the Honda Latitude are advancing, Motor Trend reports. For years, American Honda has considered importing the Japanese market Stream model, a multi-purpose vehicle built on the Civic platform, which would be named "Latitude" in the U.S. market. The 2011 Latitude, which may still end up with a different name, will share its platform with the next all-new Civic, which is due in 2010. While the Honda Stream was a slightly tallish, wagon-like Civic, the North American-market Latitude will be a bit more upright and mini-minivan-like, designed to compete directly with the Mazda5.
Lexus supercars put on hold
Toyota's Formula 1-inspired, 500-horsepower, all-wheel-drive, V-10 Lexus LF-1, which was designed to compete with Nissan's GT-R, is on hold, Motor Trend reports. The same goes for the forthcoming Lexus GS-F sedan, powered by the LF-1's engine and designed to take on the BMW M5, Cadillac CTS-v and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. The magazine says it is too early to tell whether Toyota will ever revive these two Lexus projects, "but sources indicate the company may consider both if the global economy is in better shape in 2010."
