The proposed V8 RWD Acura - PUT ON HOLD!
The colaborrated Toyota/Subara Supercar - DONE!
TOKYO — Remember the shocking news in December that the worsening financial crisis had forced Honda to withdraw from F1 and shelve its long-anticipated V10-powered NSX supercar? That, it turns out, is just the tip of the iceberg for Japan's ailing carmakers. Inside Line's source in Japan says that just about every manufacturer is either canceling new-model projects or putting them on hold until market conditions improve.One of the most anticipated collaborations of recent years was the joint R&D venture between Toyota and Subaru to build a new lightweight, cheap rear-wheel-drive sports car based on the Impreza's platform and drivetrain. That project has now been postponed for at least a year, with a new launch date to be expected no earlier than late 2012.
Nissan's rear-wheel-drive Nissan 200SX/Silvia replacement was one of the first future models to be axed — a car that was being built on a common platform shared with an upcoming hybrid sedan.
Another much anticipated makeover was the all-new V8-powered 4WD Honda Legend, currently under development in Japan. Or should we say, previously under development. As Honda's (Acura's) first V8-powered sedan, it was expected to do battle in the U.S. with Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes and Lexus. According to our source, that won't happen now.
First shown at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show, the Daihatsu OFC-1 concept was destined to become the next-generation Copen, with at least two prototypes in existence. That plan has now been shelved, too.
And in the Mitsubishi lineup, the next-generation Pajero and Eclipse have also fallen on hard times and can expect a delay of at least two years from the planned 2010 debuts.
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