New Land Rover Defender – Project Icon

Land Rover are planning a new Defender to launch in 2012 As always, the Defender is going to be the traditional Land Rover as – unlike the rest of the Land Rover Range which is moving over to aluminium platforms – the new Defender will be based on the existing – and very capable – current model Discovery platform. The use of the T5, twin rail steel chassis from the Discovery is vital if the Defender is to continue to offer the range of body styles currently available – including hard and soft tops – which make the Defender the versatile work horse it is. But the Defender will still be going on a diet and will be a lighter car than the current Model.

Honda plans rapid-fire launch of 2012 Civics

Honda will take a hurry-up approach when launching its delayed Civic family in April. Unlike past Civic rollouts--which spread the debuts of model types and variations over months and even years--Honda will launch every variety of the 2012 Civic within weeks of each other, said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. The family includes a sedan and coupe, multiple engines, lithium ion hybrid and natural gas versions, and a Civic Si edition.

Lexus teases new design direction ahead of Detroit 2012

Lexus Concept Tease Detroit 2012 (click image for full size) Lexus has sent us a teaser photo of a new Lexus Concept heading for the Detroit Motor Show which is said to preview a new design direction. With the 2012 Detroit Motor Show just weeks away, we’re starting to get the big teases from car makers eager to ramp up interest in their offerings. This morning we learnt that Honda will take the new NSX to Detroit, and now we have arch-rivals Toyota teasing a new design direction for Lexus with a tease of a new concept, also Detroit-bound.