Eh?
Acura won’t compete with Lexus on hybrids
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CL Community Team
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From: Canada
Acura won’t compete with Lexus on hybrids
Acura won’t compete with Lexus on hybrids
Posted on Friday 8 February 2008
Upmarket Honda brand Acura believes that bigger still is better. Despite indications that the American public may be ready to move to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, the luxury brand intends to keep selling larger vehicles. More surprisingly, despite Lexus’ huge success in the area, Acura will not be selling any hybrid models any time soon, even though Honda is releasing its global hybrid powertrain this year. Instead a new diesel engine will be introduced into the range.
**** Colliver, executive vice president of Acura, told AutoObserver that hybrids are not a good fit for Acura’s current and future lineup. When it comes to meeting future fuel economy standards with hybrid technology Colliver believes, “when you go into the bigger vehicles, it’s going to be very difficult. Our position is it’s better-suited for smaller cars.”
The diesel option Acura will be introducing will be a 2.2L 4-cylinder i-DTEC unit produced by Honda, possibly headed to the 2009 TSX compact sport sedan, although this has not been confirmed by Colliver. “We will have a diesel in the Acura lineup in the very near future,” is all he says.
Honda is also developing a new V6 diesel unit that could be used in the MDX. This would improve greatly on the car’s current figures of 15mpg in city driving and 20mpg on the highway.
Recent reports have suggested American consumers aren’t ready to embrace diesel powered cars as willingly as hybrids, which could result in Acura’s gamble being a huge loss for the company. We’ll have to wait for the sales figures to see if it pays off.
Posted on Friday 8 February 2008
Upmarket Honda brand Acura believes that bigger still is better. Despite indications that the American public may be ready to move to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, the luxury brand intends to keep selling larger vehicles. More surprisingly, despite Lexus’ huge success in the area, Acura will not be selling any hybrid models any time soon, even though Honda is releasing its global hybrid powertrain this year. Instead a new diesel engine will be introduced into the range.
**** Colliver, executive vice president of Acura, told AutoObserver that hybrids are not a good fit for Acura’s current and future lineup. When it comes to meeting future fuel economy standards with hybrid technology Colliver believes, “when you go into the bigger vehicles, it’s going to be very difficult. Our position is it’s better-suited for smaller cars.”
The diesel option Acura will be introducing will be a 2.2L 4-cylinder i-DTEC unit produced by Honda, possibly headed to the 2009 TSX compact sport sedan, although this has not been confirmed by Colliver. “We will have a diesel in the Acura lineup in the very near future,” is all he says.
Honda is also developing a new V6 diesel unit that could be used in the MDX. This would improve greatly on the car’s current figures of 15mpg in city driving and 20mpg on the highway.
Recent reports have suggested American consumers aren’t ready to embrace diesel powered cars as willingly as hybrids, which could result in Acura’s gamble being a huge loss for the company. We’ll have to wait for the sales figures to see if it pays off.
Honda is missing the point.
The thing about having a luxury brand is "giving what the consumer ultimately wants," even if it is an unncessesary hybrid powertrain.
They have the technology; why not flaunt it?
The thing about having a luxury brand is "giving what the consumer ultimately wants," even if it is an unncessesary hybrid powertrain.
They have the technology; why not flaunt it?
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: MD
Idiots. They already have the perfect hybrid powertrain for the TL. They developed it for the Accord, why not make some money off of this thing?
And their 2.2L diesel sucks. From the reviews Ive read, their diesel engines are heavier than that of the components found in their hybrids', underpowered, and less efficient than most diesel engines.
The huge success of the RX400h should be a shining example for Acura. Between this and the ugly new TSX and RL I hope Acura goes outta business.
And their 2.2L diesel sucks. From the reviews Ive read, their diesel engines are heavier than that of the components found in their hybrids', underpowered, and less efficient than most diesel engines.
The huge success of the RX400h should be a shining example for Acura. Between this and the ugly new TSX and RL I hope Acura goes outta business.
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Idiots. They already have the perfect hybrid powertrain for the TL. They developed it for the Accord, why not make some money off of this thing?
And their 2.2L diesel sucks. From the reviews Ive read, their diesel engines are heavier than that of the components found in their hybrids', underpowered, and less efficient than most diesel engines.
The huge success of the RX400h should be a shining example for Acura. Between this and the ugly new TSX and RL I hope Acura goes outta business.
And their 2.2L diesel sucks. From the reviews Ive read, their diesel engines are heavier than that of the components found in their hybrids', underpowered, and less efficient than most diesel engines.
The huge success of the RX400h should be a shining example for Acura. Between this and the ugly new TSX and RL I hope Acura goes outta business.
They have no clue and continue to show it.
So this would be my recommendation. They have no intention of being a true luxury brand or really anything outside of a brand for Honda guys. So:
1-Make it the most fuel efficient brand. Honda does small engines SUPERB, make some Acuras with them.
2-Bring the RSX back and hell bring us the CSX from Canada. The TSX/RDX have I-4, might as well more small cars. That gives them a nicer niche.
3-Make a 4 cylinder TL. Why not? Put the 190hp I-4 from the Accord in it.
4-Badge the FCX an Acura. They are already dumb enough to give a Honda the same kind of alpha name as an Acura. Just badge it an Acura and let it be a jumping point for this kind of tech. Give Acura some good press.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: none
Put it this way, the IMA doesn't suit Acura's lineup. When you have a GS450h parked next to an RL IMA or TL IMA, who do you think's gonna win the power and FE comparisons?
The only way Honda can compete is to use diesels. That way, they can it has more torque than the Lexus hybrids (even though it's a few thousand rpm rather than 0rpm) and get similar mpg.
I don't blame Honda. They are making the right decision even though Acura owners would really prefer a hybrid.
The only way Honda can compete is to use diesels. That way, they can it has more torque than the Lexus hybrids (even though it's a few thousand rpm rather than 0rpm) and get similar mpg.
I don't blame Honda. They are making the right decision even though Acura owners would really prefer a hybrid.
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Acura has become such a mess...
The RL is a dismal failure, RDX sales have been lack luster, and their most compelling product, the MDX, has done reasonably well but that whole segment is starting to cool off. TL still is competitive but it's cooling off, much like the TSX.
Still...no RWD, no V8s, awkward styling, and now no hybrids. Why would you buy an RL, TL, or TSX over a new Accord? There is no reason.
They better get their act together, especially in the face of Infiniti who was nowhere a few years ago and has since surged ahead of Acura. Funny how they were the first Japanese luxury brand, and have since been beaten to death by the other two.
And as much as everyone wants it, the NSX is the last place they should be putting any money right now. New platforms, new powertrains, new design studios, etc are all in dire need.
The RL is a dismal failure, RDX sales have been lack luster, and their most compelling product, the MDX, has done reasonably well but that whole segment is starting to cool off. TL still is competitive but it's cooling off, much like the TSX.
Still...no RWD, no V8s, awkward styling, and now no hybrids. Why would you buy an RL, TL, or TSX over a new Accord? There is no reason.
They better get their act together, especially in the face of Infiniti who was nowhere a few years ago and has since surged ahead of Acura. Funny how they were the first Japanese luxury brand, and have since been beaten to death by the other two.
And as much as everyone wants it, the NSX is the last place they should be putting any money right now. New platforms, new powertrains, new design studios, etc are all in dire need.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,244
Likes: 275
Put it this way, the IMA doesn't suit Acura's lineup. When you have a GS450h parked next to an RL IMA or TL IMA, who do you think's gonna win the power and FE comparisons?
The only way Honda can compete is to use diesels. That way, they can it has more torque than the Lexus hybrids (even though it's a few thousand rpm rather than 0rpm) and get similar mpg.
I don't blame Honda. They are making the right decision even though Acura owners would really prefer a hybrid.
The only way Honda can compete is to use diesels. That way, they can it has more torque than the Lexus hybrids (even though it's a few thousand rpm rather than 0rpm) and get similar mpg.
I don't blame Honda. They are making the right decision even though Acura owners would really prefer a hybrid.
Even Hyundai has a V8 RWD vehicle coming. And Acura is trying to be a respectable luxury brand?!?
I can honestly say: I would rather buy a Hyundai than an Acura.
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,569
Likes: 231
From: San Francisco, CA
i think honda tried the whole hybrid thing and it wasnt working for them, particularly because toyota and lexus were on their back constantly. The accord hybrid was a failure and now is discontinued. all that is left is the hybrid civic, which doesnt really beat the prius on anything but subjectly looks.
they think there is too much competition with hybrids. so diesels are next. after seeing mercedes so into bluetec etc etc, they think that mercedes knows that the future wants. If they can pioneer good diesel technology, then they could incorporate it into a diesel hybrid
they think there is too much competition with hybrids. so diesels are next. after seeing mercedes so into bluetec etc etc, they think that mercedes knows that the future wants. If they can pioneer good diesel technology, then they could incorporate it into a diesel hybrid
honda's (acura) philosophy and their path is really a puzzle to me sometimes. i can't figure out what they actually want to do..... need bigger cars, but they have the tsx with a 4 cylinder. need bigger cars, but nothing above v6.