Should Acura drop the RL?
#46
Lexus Champion
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DOHC V8 engine and RWD are the must have for the future RL to even have a chance to become successful. When you look at the Acura/Honda mid-sized sedan, three models are so close in size, performance, and features level, and they are Acura RL, Acura TL, and Honda Accord V6 sedan. Now all of them are FWD, all of them have a 3.5L SOHC V6 engine with horsepower output from 270-290, all of them are mid to large car size, and most of the must have features in RL could also be found in a fully-loaded V6 Accord, let alone TL. And yet, their price are from $29,000 to almost $50,000. Why do I buy RL if I could almost get the same thing for so much less money when I buy TL or Accord V6? Therefore, Acura must differentiate these three cars more. Since TL and Accord sell, then the only car need changes is RL. Enlarge the next RL to at least 197" long and have a at least 4.0L V8 in it. Price it around the current RL level, then I think its sales would be drastically improved.
I will say that the leather in the RL is far and away better than the Accord and even the TL--much closer to the Lexus.
I agree with TwiBluG35's sales strategy--that was one of the reasons I bought the prior gen TL--everything was standard except for nav. You got a lot of car for the money. But, $50K can get you the RL, the M35x or the GS350 AWD--it's not quite a slam dunk. If I could walk into the Acura dealer and get an RL that had everything a GS430 or M45 had, for $5-8K less than either of them, without playing games as to "You must buy this option to get that option," I'd be much more inclined to do it. OR---just build a car that beats them all hands down....
#48
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To all the people who are advocating a V-8 engine in this car, I want to remind you that the weight distribution in this car with a V-6 is about 60/40. If they stuffed a V-8 in there, the weight distribution would be horrendous! Plus they would would have extend the front overhang, and it would look all messed up!![Sad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
Simply put, they messed up on the basics of this car, but got alot of the details right. If they base they're engineering on a proper luxury platform next time, it will be vastly improved. Stuffing a V-8 in there now would just produce a car with terrible handling.
![Sad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
Simply put, they messed up on the basics of this car, but got alot of the details right. If they base they're engineering on a proper luxury platform next time, it will be vastly improved. Stuffing a V-8 in there now would just produce a car with terrible handling.
#49
Lexus Champion
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To all the people who are advocating a V-8 engine in this car, I want to remind you that the weight distribution in this car with a V-6 is about 60/40. If they stuffed a V-8 in there, the weight distribution would be horrendous! Plus they would would have extend the front overhang, and it would look all messed up!![Sad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
Simply put, they messed up on the basics of this car, but got alot of the details right. If they base they're engineering on a proper luxury platform next time, it will be vastly improved. Stuffing a V-8 in there now would just produce a car with terrible handling.
![Sad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
Simply put, they messed up on the basics of this car, but got alot of the details right. If they base they're engineering on a proper luxury platform next time, it will be vastly improved. Stuffing a V-8 in there now would just produce a car with terrible handling.
I dont think anyone is suggesting the take the decent, but conservative and boring, current car and drop in a V8. I think that most are suggesting they go back to the drawing board and create an entirely new RL which is a true flagship model.
#50
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I think it's a unique and great vehicle. The interior just has too many buttons though, I wish it incorporated that dial thing everyone has now like on the JDM Odyssey. I'd LOVE to own one. I don't care that it's a V6, it still delivers 300hp with SH-AWD, CMBS, AFS, and ACC. More power would be great, but I'm sure Honda has a logical reason why they didn't.
![](http://www.strikingvisions.com/rl63.jpg)
^hotness.
![](http://www.strikingvisions.com/rl63.jpg)
^hotness.
Last edited by kit cat; 11-09-07 at 03:35 PM.
#52
Lexus Test Driver
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There is not much that separates the RL from the TL since they are based on the same platform. I believe they are the same platform with AWD on the RL. Size wise, they are very similar.
Acura needs to create a brand new platform for a "flagship" sedan. This would be a perfect opportunity for Acura to create large RWD V8 sedan to replace the RL.
Acura needs to create a brand new platform for a "flagship" sedan. This would be a perfect opportunity for Acura to create large RWD V8 sedan to replace the RL.
In the old days Honda used to use two chassis for the Legend. One for the Coupe and one for the Sedan. It was the KA7 and KA8 chassis. This ends up being expensive. I think it is great that companies can share platforms if it works with another car. Keeps cost down and they can put the money saved to other areas of the car. This is evident in the RL. It has one of the most luxurious and plush interiors in its class. People may not like the styling of the car, but very few can legitimately find fault in the materials used, quality and fit and finish.
#53
Lexus Test Driver
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To all the people who are advocating a V-8 engine in this car, I want to remind you that the weight distribution in this car with a V-6 is about 60/40. If they stuffed a V-8 in there, the weight distribution would be horrendous! Plus they would would have extend the front overhang, and it would look all messed up!![Sad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
Simply put, they messed up on the basics of this car, but got alot of the details right. If they base they're engineering on a proper luxury platform next time, it will be vastly improved. Stuffing a V-8 in there now would just produce a car with terrible handling.
![Sad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
Simply put, they messed up on the basics of this car, but got alot of the details right. If they base they're engineering on a proper luxury platform next time, it will be vastly improved. Stuffing a V-8 in there now would just produce a car with terrible handling.
I don't think Acura should put a V8 in the current KB1 RL. However, I'd love to see it in the next generation RL, or keep the RL a V6 and introduce a new higher model over the RL with the V8.
#54
Lexus Test Driver
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In the late 90's, when Honda send out the engineers that built the original NSX to NSX owners homes to discuss what owners wanted in the next NSX, most owners obviously said more HP. The response was that much more HP is NOT needed because the majority of buyers can't handle much more power. They use what works for the car, and don't put more HP just because it looks good on paper. Anyway, that thinking was probably why it wasn't until the last few years that Honda/Acura started putting higher HP into their cars just to match their competitors.
I don't particularly believe that old Honda philosophy myself. I believe you should simply give the customer an engine choice. A V6 standard and a V8 option. Just lilke with other cars that have this choice like BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, the V6 version would outsell the V8 option by a wide margin, but at least you give the customer the choice, and you **** the critics up.
#55
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I read somewhere recently that both the RL and TL were due for complete revisions in 09. Might have been Edmunds. If I can find the article, I'll post a link. The anemic powerplant is what kept me from buying the latest generation when it was released. More oomph would = more sales IMO.
#56
Lexus Test Driver
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Leave it and keep doing R&D because eventually they will nail it. The thing is they are already five years behind the rest of the luxury ball game so I'd love to see what they have up there sleeves.
#57
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IMHO, one of the reasons why Honda has been reluctant to get into the HP war until very late in the game is because I believe that had a philosophy to build what the car needs, not what the people think they need. For example, 300HP is more than enough in reality to drive any car around on US roads. In fact, 200 HP would probably get the job done. All these high HP cars are really just statistical bragging rights. We don't really need 300 HP to drive on the freeway or to work. All these cars are capable of well over 100 MPH and under 7 seconds 0-60.
The power is enough unless you want bragging rights. And if you want bragging rights, get a mercedes E55.
#58
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On the current RL maybe. However, have you driven an RL lately? With SH-AWD that negative 60/40 weight is NON Existent. The RL even though it may look like a front heavy pig on paper drives more like a RWD car than many actual RWD cars. If you didn't know it was a FWD based AWD car you'd think it was a RWD car. Now, I'm not praising the cars chassis and suspension here, I'm praising SH-AWD. It really does make the car behave in a manner it should not (Meaning neutral RWD).
I don't think Acura should put a V8 in the current KB1 RL. However, I'd love to see it in the next generation RL, or keep the RL a V6 and introduce a new higher model over the RL with the V8.
I don't think Acura should put a V8 in the current KB1 RL. However, I'd love to see it in the next generation RL, or keep the RL a V6 and introduce a new higher model over the RL with the V8.
#59
Lexus Champion
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They are not really based on the same platform. They are based on what Honda calls the Mid Sized Global Platform. Honda Specifically created these global platforms to be easily modified into whatever chassis they needed within that mid sized range. They also have a Light Truck Global Platform which the Van and SUV's use. The Global Platform in itself is not the chassis for any car and can't be used in itself. It has to be modified and configured to what is needed. In the end, the Global Platform turns into an Accord Platform, and/or it can also turn into the RL Platform. Thd RL and Accord at the end are NOT the same. RL is an aluminum chassis, AWD, longer, wider. It is not a simple stretch and pull. That is the beauty of the Global Platform. Honda can make it into anything it wants and needs. FWD, RWD, AWD, whatever.
In the old days Honda used to use two chassis for the Legend. One for the Coupe and one for the Sedan. It was the KA7 and KA8 chassis. This ends up being expensive. I think it is great that companies can share platforms if it works with another car. Keeps cost down and they can put the money saved to other areas of the car. This is evident in the RL. It has one of the most luxurious and plush interiors in its class. People may not like the styling of the car, but very few can legitimately find fault in the materials used, quality and fit and finish.
In the old days Honda used to use two chassis for the Legend. One for the Coupe and one for the Sedan. It was the KA7 and KA8 chassis. This ends up being expensive. I think it is great that companies can share platforms if it works with another car. Keeps cost down and they can put the money saved to other areas of the car. This is evident in the RL. It has one of the most luxurious and plush interiors in its class. People may not like the styling of the car, but very few can legitimately find fault in the materials used, quality and fit and finish.
#60
Lexus Champion
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RL = rebadged Legend ![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
I think 300 HP is enough for a car like this, but in this day and age in America, it's not always about horse power. Carmakers like Lexus, MB, BMW, etc. know that a lot of people relate bigger engines with prestige. Honestly, does any car really need a V12? It's all about status.
Then again, Honda/Acura may be sticking with a V6 to help keep fuel consumption down. Hey, they aren't the most fuel efficient car company in America for nothing!
To make the RL sell in the US, I think it would have to be a little bigger with V8 power.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
I think 300 HP is enough for a car like this, but in this day and age in America, it's not always about horse power. Carmakers like Lexus, MB, BMW, etc. know that a lot of people relate bigger engines with prestige. Honestly, does any car really need a V12? It's all about status.
Then again, Honda/Acura may be sticking with a V6 to help keep fuel consumption down. Hey, they aren't the most fuel efficient car company in America for nothing!
To make the RL sell in the US, I think it would have to be a little bigger with V8 power.