Honda President: No need for RWD
07-20-09, 05:01 PM
#31
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Rebadging the Euro-spec Accord as the TSX hurts Acura far more than abandoning plans on V8 engines and RWD platforms. Acura is slowly branching away from Honda, and I'm interested to see where they go. The economic downturn really hurt Acura's chances of becoming more independent, as their introduction to Japan was halted, as was development of the NSX.
To be honest though, none of the Japanese luxury brands are all that independent. Lexus seemed to be going in that direction, and then took a few steps back. (Rebadging the LX and the GX, the fact that L-Finesse looks shockingly similar to Toyota's Vibrant Clarity, etc.)
Honestly, I've been more impressed with Acura then all of the Japanese luxury brands as of late. The TSX and TL redesigns, while they're very love it or hate it, have made quite a stir. I still do not like badge engineering, but Acura is making moves that Lexus should seek to follow, specifically, having two lines that don't look so similar.
07-20-09, 05:52 PM
#32
07-20-09, 06:07 PM
#33
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In 1976, The newly released Accord had 76 HP. 33 years later, a V6 powered Accord has 271 HP. 30 years from now, an accord will have a conservative 400+ HP, and it will all go to the front wheels? 30 years from now, 400+ HP/35 mpg will be easy but I think most cars will be RWD by then. Mr. Ito will recant his statement in the near future. He'll have no choice.
07-20-09, 06:20 PM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
What am I talking about? Exactly what I said in my post. In plain English, it appears to have been strongly influenced by the BMW X6. The X6 has not proven popular, for several reasons, including its compromised versatility, and I don't think the ZDX will either. Could I be wrong? Yes, it is possible, but I will honestly be surprised if the ZDX does sell. Its front grille, IMO, is almost as ugly as that of the ill-fated Pontiac Aztek's, though the rear end is a little sleeker.
I think you partially answered your own question here. In fact, those looking for a sportish-oriented SUV will probably walk down to the other end of the Acura showroom and look at the RDX instead. The RDX offers a lot of bang for the buck for an SUV, with its turbo 4, sharp handling, and lack of body roll. Like the ZDX, it does not have a lot of space inside, but the more squarish rear-end design and higher roofline gives it a little more cargo-carrying flexibility. The downside to the sharp handling, of course, is a rather stiff suspension and firm ride. It is also likely to cost less than a ZDX.
Who doesn't want a cramped SUV with space for only 4 people and no luggage?
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-20-09 at 06:27 PM.
07-20-09, 06:58 PM
#35
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I disagree.
Rebadging the Euro-spec Accord as the TSX hurts Acura far more than abandoning plans on V8 engines and RWD platforms. Acura is slowly branching away from Honda, and I'm interested to see where they go. The economic downturn really hurt Acura's chances of becoming more independent, as their introduction to Japan was halted, as was development of the NSX.
To be honest though, none of the Japanese luxury brands are all that independent. Lexus seemed to be going in that direction, and then took a few steps back. (Rebadging the LX and the GX, the fact that L-Finesse looks shockingly similar to Toyota's Vibrant Clarity, etc.)
Honestly, I've been more impressed with Acura then all of the Japanese luxury brands as of late. The TSX and TL redesigns, while they're very love it or hate it, have made quite a stir. I still do not like badge engineering, but Acura is making moves that Lexus should seek to follow, specifically, having two lines that don't look so similar.
Rebadging the Euro-spec Accord as the TSX hurts Acura far more than abandoning plans on V8 engines and RWD platforms. Acura is slowly branching away from Honda, and I'm interested to see where they go. The economic downturn really hurt Acura's chances of becoming more independent, as their introduction to Japan was halted, as was development of the NSX.
To be honest though, none of the Japanese luxury brands are all that independent. Lexus seemed to be going in that direction, and then took a few steps back. (Rebadging the LX and the GX, the fact that L-Finesse looks shockingly similar to Toyota's Vibrant Clarity, etc.)
Honestly, I've been more impressed with Acura then all of the Japanese luxury brands as of late. The TSX and TL redesigns, while they're very love it or hate it, have made quite a stir. I still do not like badge engineering, but Acura is making moves that Lexus should seek to follow, specifically, having two lines that don't look so similar.
The TSX and TL haven't caused a stir except when people want to laugh. How the hell can anyone be more impressed with what Acura has done than Lexus or Infiniti???That is insane and goes to this post below with is 100% on the money.
.
07-20-09, 07:36 PM
#36
Intermediate
I like where the president says we dont want to mimic what other companies have been doing for 5 decades. Maybe there is a reason those companies have done that? It works. Anyway Im not sure where they go from here I guess whoever like Acura's will keep buying them but the new ZDX is ugly(and probably pointless), the TL is ugly the TSX isn't that good lookin either and their flagship RL is well not a flagship lol. I do think the MDX is pretty nice though.
07-20-09, 07:52 PM
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07-20-09, 08:03 PM
#38
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Good day and believe that if you want to.
07-20-09, 08:31 PM
#39
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Lexus had made great strides, but the LX and GX are not exactly helping the cause. (I was expecting the rumored JX to replace the two, but alas) All I'm saying is that I hope that the next generation of Lexus pushes the envelope even further in distancing them from Toyota. (I don't want to see a family resemblance between Toyota and Lexus. Their design languages should not mix.)
One thing I like that Acura has done recently, is incorporating a family front fascia. A lot of people hate the beak, but nonetheless, it unifies all of the vehicles from the company.
07-20-09, 11:50 PM
#41
Lexus Fanatic
None of their sedans or coupes will ever really be considered true performance cars with a ****ty FWD lay out. RWD is how god intended sporty vehicles to be set up as
07-21-09, 12:10 AM
#42
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Honda should stick with small and mid-sized cars, get rid of Acura, rename all the alphanumerical names back to normal alphabetical names. Revives Prelude and Integra, brings over European Civic Type R, continues the legacy of NSX but makes it a bit cheaper, makes the second generation Ridgeline a real truck, brings over Stream and Stepwagon, discontinues Element.
07-21-09, 02:21 AM
#43
Lexus Champion
If I was the president of Honda, here's what I would do:
Bring back the old Honda hierarchy of dealers - Verno, Primo, and Clio in Japan. The US network will be shaken up.
Bring back the Prelude - this time in AWD+4WS, and a new S drop-top
Acura will be reformed, an RL under my watch will be V8+RWD or RWD-biased SH-AWD
The Civic will be revised, bring back its moddablity, but yet retain what the Civic's known for - dependable transportation. Offer the JDM Type R/RR here too, and maybe a AWD Civic Type R. The Civic Hybrid will be revamped - IMA will be improved.
Bring back the CRX, as a sporty hatchback as the CRX of the 80s but with a hybrid option - kill the Insight.
The Accord will be less of a Banglemobile, build on the 8th gen ideas but improve fit&finish and the interior quality. Offer a hybrid version, but with a I4.
Kill the Element, bring some of the ideas over to the CR-V, and offer it with a V6 as an option
The Ridgeline needs to be a real truck in the sense of a ladder frame and RWD, but keep its uniqueness: IRS, in-bed trunk, car-like cabin and ride. I think a new RWD-biased Ridgeline with a small V8 under the hood would be nice. I'm thinking the same idea as GM - base the Pilot and Ridgeline on the same platform, like the Escalade and Escalade EXT.
The Odyssey will get AWD standard - sorry Toyota. More power too and a hybrid option.
Bring back the old Honda hierarchy of dealers - Verno, Primo, and Clio in Japan. The US network will be shaken up.
Bring back the Prelude - this time in AWD+4WS, and a new S drop-top
Acura will be reformed, an RL under my watch will be V8+RWD or RWD-biased SH-AWD
The Civic will be revised, bring back its moddablity, but yet retain what the Civic's known for - dependable transportation. Offer the JDM Type R/RR here too, and maybe a AWD Civic Type R. The Civic Hybrid will be revamped - IMA will be improved.
Bring back the CRX, as a sporty hatchback as the CRX of the 80s but with a hybrid option - kill the Insight.
The Accord will be less of a Banglemobile, build on the 8th gen ideas but improve fit&finish and the interior quality. Offer a hybrid version, but with a I4.
Kill the Element, bring some of the ideas over to the CR-V, and offer it with a V6 as an option
The Ridgeline needs to be a real truck in the sense of a ladder frame and RWD, but keep its uniqueness: IRS, in-bed trunk, car-like cabin and ride. I think a new RWD-biased Ridgeline with a small V8 under the hood would be nice. I'm thinking the same idea as GM - base the Pilot and Ridgeline on the same platform, like the Escalade and Escalade EXT.
The Odyssey will get AWD standard - sorry Toyota. More power too and a hybrid option.
07-21-09, 04:09 AM
#44
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