Hudson 50-53 Hubcap on 2040-parts.com

Toyota hands over small-car development to its European unit

Toyota Motor Corp.'s European division next month will take charge of global product planning for small cars as the Japanese automaker expands model research and development in the region. The change, announced Dec. 17, means that Toyota will count on Europe to develop future products in the minicar, subcompact and compact segments, something that Ford Motor Co.

Peugeot 207CC

Following the 207 Epure concept shown at the Paris Motor Show, Peugeot has revealed the production version, the 207CC - though without the concept's fuel-cell powertrain. Succeeding the popular 206CC launched in 2001, the 207CC obviously doesn't differ much from the show car, which was the first model touched by Co-Director Peugeot Design Jerome Gallix.   Replacing the fuel cell is a range of IC engines; two gas and one diesel.

Lexus LF-NX Concept Compact SUV with 2.0 litre turbo petrol at Tokyo

Lexus LF-NX Concept Compact SUV (pictured) with 2.0 litre turbo petrol at Tokyo The Lexus LF-NX Concept debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and certainly made a statement. Lexus’ efforts to create an SUV/Crossover to sit below the RX and mop up some of the ever-growing demand for more compact SUVs tried hard to do the whole ‘Ugly but appealing’ school of design the Nissan Juke pulled off, but pretty much failed. There were some good ideas running around, but there were just too many jarring angles on the bodywork and not enough cuteness to love and the interior was very ‘concepty’ with a sea of blue and yellow everything and touchscreen surfaces abounding.