Honda suspends rear-wheel-drive and V8 program

Honda has never been a big fan of V8 powered rear-wheel-drive sedans – and even with a new enthusiast steering the wheel at the company, it doesn’t seem like we’ll see any dynamic sedans from the Japanese automaker anytime soon. According to Takanobu Ito, who replaced Takeo Fukui last month, Honda doesn’t need V8 rear-wheel-drive sedans because marked demand has shifted to fuel-efficient cars, reports Automotive News.

“I don’t think we need a classic front-engine, rear-drive car,” said Ito. “It would be meaningless to emulate what other companies have been doing for more than five decades.”

Honda needs to pioneer new territory, Ito said. He said that Honda recently suspended its rwd program and called it “a good decision.”

“We are considering incorporating new engines, motors, transmissions and chassis into mid- to large-sized hybrid vehicles, and I think this is a good opportunity for change,” he said.

Last year, Fukui said that Honda was planning a new fuel-efficient V8 for the Acura RL; however the program was axed during the global market meltdown.

– By: Omar Rana