And just when we though that, maybe the new Honda’s CEO will reconsider the decision of previous CEO Takeo Fukui plans for the NSX successor, a shocking statement by Ito has put as down. Takanubo Ito said that “I don’t think we need a classic front-engine, rear-drive car. It would be meaningless to emulate what other companies have done for more than five decades. We are considering incorporating new engines, motors, transmissions and chassis into mid- to large-sized hybrid vehicles.”
He has also confirmed that V8 engines and rear wheel driving are not a part of Honda’s future.
No related posts.
on Jul 21st, 2009 at 9:54 am
It’s “as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened. “
on Jul 21st, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Wow. Really? I guess. Go ahead and pull off a Toyota on us. Fail. Well actually Toyota IS still working on sports cars like a the LF-A and Lexus “-F” models
on Jan 19th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
He’s just pissed because the S2000 was a lot of FAIL in the marketplace.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the S2000 for what it was, a VERY light, hi-revving convertible that was a blast (and fast) to drive. But the market didn’t jump on it. Why?
Because the market Honda would sell to wants more torque (a turbo V6 in the S2000 would’ve done it). They also want SEXY. Again, don’t misunderstand, I really liked the S2000, but it lacked any kind of hotness, visually. It was rather pedestrian in looks, compared to its competition. When I saw it I didn’t say “gotta have”, like say the Mustang did, or the retro Challenger today.
He’s also denying these realities:
Front Engine/Rear Drive > Front Drive. Period. Front engine/rear drive gives you much better weight distribution (why the Vette uses a transaxle rather than a trans and differential setup). Front drive suffers from understeer, and it’s simply harder to get the ideal suspension geometries with front drive than with rear drive.
Can you get good geometry w/front drive? Yes, just look at Honda. Is it harder to do? Is it as much fun to drive or as predictable as rear drive – not to me it isn’t.
What Honda is focusing on is all-wheel drive instead of front drive. OK. Fine. I just can’t wait for someone to produce a chip/controller that enables me to make my mostly front-drive Ridgeline into a mostly rear-drive.
on Apr 7th, 2010 at 4:09 am
Bob first off you wrote a long post which is a bonus with some good material. I disagree with you on that the S2000 lacks hotness. First off I see a Mustang on every corner of a parking lot, followed by a vet, and a camero. Other then this year the exterior appearance of all models are cheap looking (except corvette). The Camero, and corvette looks real good exterior wise this year but the interior is garbage IMO.
I would say visually the S2000 is just as sexy as this years camero, mustang, and corvette. The previous years the S2000 murders all except the corvette in looks.