Acura will push for luxury credentials -- without V-8, rwd
09-28-10, 08:43 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Acura will push for luxury credentials -- without V-8, rwd
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...EM04/309279973
Its really sad to see them hype up their fans for a decade with rumors and test mules and tons of talk only to slap them in the face by canceling everything they said they would do.
Its really sad to see them hype up their fans for a decade with rumors and test mules and tons of talk only to slap them in the face by canceling everything they said they would do.
The dreams of getting a V-8 engine, rear-wheel-drive platforms and a sports car to replace the NSX have died for Acura dealers. Now the question is whether Acura can follow Audi's lead and elevate its brand from premium to luxury with front- and all-wheel-drive platforms.
Meanwhile, Acura may return to two segments that it had abandoned by adding a compact car and a coupe.
Compact car: An Acura compact would be based on the next-generation Honda Civic, which means a spring 2012 launch as a 2013 model at the soonest. Acura left the compact segment at the end of the 2006 model year when it dropped the RSX. Acura doesn't want merely to homologate the Canadian market CSX, which is a badge-engineered Civic.
TSX: A wagon variant comes this fall, based on the European market Honda Accord wagon. The wagon will be available with fwd only and a four-cylinder engine. The sedan version of the TSX offers awd and a V-6 option.
TL: The mid-sized sedan is due for a redesign for the 2014 model year. At that time, Honda's large-platform hybrid system should be ready. Expect a freshening for the 2012 model year.
Coupe: Although the CL coupe was dropped several years ago, Acura is considering re-entering the segment on the TSX platform, shared with the European Accord. But there are no plans now.
RL: The rwd V-8 sedan that had been expected won't happen, the result of recession-driven cost-cutting. Honda Motor Co. has said the RL is not going to be redesigned, but U.S. executives insist that there will be another edition.
The RL is based on an outdated, stand-alone platform that may be re-engineered for the 2013 model year to make it last a couple of years more while the brand figures out what to do next. The RL also would be restyled at that time. The solution may be to stretch the next TL platform. So much for a flagship.
RDX: A redesign is slated for the 2012 model year.
ZDX: No significant changes are planned.
MDX: The redesign was planned for the 2012 model year, but that may be pushed back a year, when Honda's large-platform hybrid powertrain will be ready. The MDX currently comes only with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine, which may raise concerns about fuel economy.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...#ixzz10q64rzKJ
of getting a V-8 engine, rear-wheel-drive platforms and a sports car to replace the NSX have died for Acura dealers. Now the question is whether Acura can follow Audi's lead and elevate its brand from premium to luxury with front- and all-wheel-drive platforms.Meanwhile, Acura may return to two segments that it had abandoned by adding a compact car and a coupe.
Compact car: An Acura compact would be based on the next-generation Honda Civic, which means a spring 2012 launch as a 2013 model at the soonest. Acura left the compact segment at the end of the 2006 model year when it dropped the RSX. Acura doesn't want merely to homologate the Canadian market CSX, which is a badge-engineered Civic.
TSX: A wagon variant comes this fall, based on the European market Honda Accord wagon. The wagon will be available with fwd only and a four-cylinder engine. The sedan version of the TSX offers awd and a V-6 option.
TL: The mid-sized sedan is due for a redesign for the 2014 model year. At that time, Honda's large-platform hybrid system should be ready. Expect a freshening for the 2012 model year.
Coupe: Although the CL coupe was dropped several years ago, Acura is considering re-entering the segment on the TSX platform, shared with the European Accord. But there are no plans now.
RL: The rwd V-8 sedan that had been expected won't happen, the result of recession-driven cost-cutting. Honda Motor Co. has said the RL is not going to be redesigned, but U.S. executives insist that there will be another edition.
The RL is based on an outdated, stand-alone platform that may be re-engineered for the 2013 model year to make it last a couple of years more while the brand figures out what to do next. The RL also would be restyled at that time. The solution may be to stretch the next TL platform. So much for a flagship.
RDX: A redesign is slated for the 2012 model year.
ZDX: No significant changes are planned.
MDX: The redesign was planned for the 2012 model year, but that may be pushed back a year, when Honda's large-platform hybrid powertrain will be ready. The MDX currently comes only with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine, which may raise concerns about fuel economy.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...#ixzz10q64rzKJ
Last edited by LexFather; 09-28-10 at 08:49 AM.
09-28-10, 09:05 AM
#4
I still don't really understand the TSX/TL/RL relationship. TSX is the size of the IS and 3 Series, yet they advertise the TL as their competitor in that market, and yet the TL is almost the size of an RL and more powerful 
TSX needs to be renamed and reintroduced as the entry level car, TL needs to get it's act together and be positioned as the midsize that it truly is, and the RL...well...nevermind....
TSX needs to be renamed and reintroduced as the entry level car, TL needs to get it's act together and be positioned as the midsize that it truly is, and the RL...well...nevermind....
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09-28-10, 10:53 AM
#8
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This is total fail
. Acura will attempt to follow Audi's lead? LOL. Audi has V8s, V10s, *AND* they actually have a RWD-biased AWD system on several models.
So Honda says there won't be a new RL, yet US executives say there will be? Double fail. The Honda infighting and internal conflicts continue.
Looks like the Acura lineup will once again be ENTIRELY based on Honda products. Honda Plus in its purest form.
.
09-28-10, 11:25 AM
#9
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Posts: n/a
I actually feel bad for all Japanese luxury car enthusiasts. Acura basically being Honda plus and not a real luxury brand and having no intention of becoming one hurts Lexus (and Infiniti somewhat). The image of Japanese luxury cars (Lexus, Acura, Infiniti) will always be far below the Germans(Benz, BMW, Lexus) as the Germans have 3 legitimate luxury brands and Japan has only one. It would be GREAT if Acura actually stepped things up. It would push Lexus and help the image of Japanese luxury cars. Lexus CANNOT battle the big 3 Germans basically alone. Infiniti is far better than Acura from a luxury perspective but sales struggle outside the G37. I've been on this site 10 years now and we hear the same old song from Acura for ten years and we've said and heard the same things for ten years. In contrast Lexus and Infiniti have substantially moved upmarket.
I really feel for the Acura dealers as they told Honda what people wanted in regards to luxury and they were PROMISED the move upmarket like a real luxury brand and dealers in return invested MILLIONS to upgrade dealerships with hopes of getting what was promised. DEALERS ARE PISSED with Acura/Honda. In return they got NOTHING as promised and to make matters worse got some of the WORST styling around where their bread and butter TL saw sales drop 50%.
Imagine being an Acura dealer! You invested millions on the promise of getting real luxury products and in return you get nothing and then get ugly styled cars you have to sell. I really feel for them, it is NOT THEIR FAULT.
I feel sorry for the fans. For so long they were promised interesting products and the move upmarket and they argued intensely that it was coming and in return they got nothing but ugly styling. What a let down. Then they are forced to watch everyone else move forward with their plans and far more interesting products. Its like being a LA Clippers fan, yeah you got a NBA team but management and the owners have no true interest to elevate the franchise and fluff an fluff for years and years.
Their situation is pretty hopeless in being considered a real luxury brand. The biggest slap in the face is from Hyundai, who is making legitimate luxury sedans where Acura CANNOT compete. The Genesis hasn't even seen the RL in a Comparo. Hyundai has come out of NOWHERE and embarrasses Acura. Ten years ago, no Acura, Lexus, Infiniti fan would have thought HYUNDAI would have RWD and V-8s and more before Acura.
While they canceled everything they talked about here came Hyundai with the Genesis and now comes the Equus and both are superior to any sedan they have produced in 25 years. There makes no sense in offering the brand and acting like its luxury when Hyundai makes vehicles you can't even compete with.
As TRD stated they can't follow Audi as Audi is a legitimate luxury brand. R8, S4, AWD, V-8, V-10, super chargers, luxury options galore etc etc.
They have depended on 0% financing/downpayment/etc to sell vehicles, reverting to GM methods of years ago. They have to be grateful to loyal fans who stay loyal and buy the brand.
Honda needs to SERIOUSLY move Acura upmarket or stop selling them as Acuras and just be like Hyundai and badge them all Hondas and cover the 10k-50k+ markets.
Acura basically being Honda plus and not a real luxury brand and having no intention of becoming one hurts Lexus (and Infiniti somewhat). The image of Japanese luxury cars (Lexus, Acura, Infiniti) will always be far below the Germans(Benz, BMW, Lexus) as the Germans have 3 legitimate luxury brands and Japan has only one. It would be GREAT if Acura actually stepped things up. It would push Lexus and help the image of Japanese luxury cars. Lexus CANNOT battle the big 3 Germans basically alone. Infiniti is far better than Acura from a luxury perspective but sales struggle outside the G37. I've been on this site 10 years now and we hear the same old song from Acura for ten years and we've said and heard the same things for ten years. In contrast Lexus and Infiniti have substantially moved upmarket. I really feel for the Acura dealers
as they told Honda what people wanted in regards to luxury and they were PROMISED the move upmarket like a real luxury brand and dealers in return invested MILLIONS to upgrade dealerships with hopes of getting what was promised. DEALERS ARE PISSED with Acura/Honda. In return they got NOTHING as promised and to make matters worse got some of the WORST styling around where their bread and butter TL saw sales drop 50%. Imagine being an Acura dealer! You invested millions on the promise of getting real luxury products and in return you get nothing and then get ugly styled cars you have to sell. I really feel for them, it is NOT THEIR FAULT.
I feel sorry for the fans. For so long they were promised interesting products and the move upmarket and they argued intensely that it was coming and in return they got nothing but ugly styling. What a let down.
Then they are forced to watch everyone else move forward with their plans and far more interesting products. Its like being a LA Clippers fan, yeah you got a NBA team but management and the owners have no true interest to elevate the franchise and fluff an fluff for years and years. Their situation is pretty hopeless in being considered a real luxury brand. The biggest slap in the face is from Hyundai, who is making legitimate luxury sedans where Acura CANNOT compete. The Genesis hasn't even seen the RL in a Comparo. Hyundai has come out of NOWHERE and embarrasses Acura. Ten years ago, no Acura, Lexus, Infiniti fan would have thought HYUNDAI would have RWD and V-8s and more before Acura.
While they canceled everything they talked about here came Hyundai with the Genesis and now comes the Equus and both are superior to any sedan they have produced in 25 years. There makes no sense in offering the brand and acting like its luxury when Hyundai makes vehicles you can't even compete with.
As TRD stated they can't follow Audi as Audi is a legitimate luxury brand. R8, S4, AWD, V-8, V-10, super chargers, luxury options galore etc etc.
They have depended on 0% financing/downpayment/etc to sell vehicles, reverting to GM methods of years ago. They have to be grateful to loyal fans who stay loyal and buy the brand.
Honda needs to SERIOUSLY move Acura upmarket or stop selling them as Acuras and just be like Hyundai and badge them all Hondas and cover the 10k-50k+ markets.
Last edited by LexFather; 09-28-10 at 11:57 AM.
09-28-10, 12:34 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
09-28-10, 01:00 PM
#13
I actually feel bad for all Japanese luxury car enthusiasts. Acura basically being Honda plus and not a real luxury brand and having no intention of becoming one hurts Lexus (and Infiniti somewhat). The image of Japanese luxury cars (Lexus, Acura, Infiniti) will always be far below the Germans(Benz, BMW, Lexus) as the Germans have 3 legitimate luxury brands and Japan has only one. It would be GREAT if Acura actually stepped things up. It would push Lexus and help the image of Japanese luxury cars. Lexus CANNOT battle the big 3 Germans basically alone. Infiniti is far better than Acura from a luxury perspective but sales struggle outside the G37. I've been on this site 10 years now and we hear the same old song from Acura for ten years and we've said and heard the same things for ten years. In contrast Lexus and Infiniti have substantially moved upmarket.
I really feel for the Acura dealers as they told Honda what people wanted in regards to luxury and they were PROMISED the move upmarket like a real luxury brand and dealers in return invested MILLIONS to upgrade dealerships with hopes of getting what was promised. DEALERS ARE PISSED with Acura/Honda. In return they got NOTHING as promised and to make matters worse got some of the WORST styling around where their bread and butter TL saw sales drop 50%.
Imagine being an Acura dealer! You invested millions on the promise of getting real luxury products and in return you get nothing and then get ugly styled cars you have to sell. I really feel for them, it is NOT THEIR FAULT.
I feel sorry for the fans. For so long they were promised interesting products and the move upmarket and they argued intensely that it was coming and in return they got nothing but ugly styling. What a let down. Then they are forced to watch everyone else move forward with their plans and far more interesting products. Its like being a LA Clippers fan, yeah you got a NBA team but management and the owners have no true interest to elevate the franchise and fluff an fluff for years and years.
Their situation is pretty hopeless in being considered a real luxury brand. The biggest slap in the face is from Hyundai, who is making legitimate luxury sedans where Acura CANNOT compete. The Genesis hasn't even seen the RL in a Comparo. Hyundai has come out of NOWHERE and embarrasses Acura. Ten years ago, no Acura, Lexus, Infiniti fan would have thought HYUNDAI would have RWD and V-8s and more before Acura.
While they canceled everything they talked about here came Hyundai with the Genesis and now comes the Equus and both are superior to any sedan they have produced in 25 years. There makes no sense in offering the brand and acting like its luxury when Hyundai makes vehicles you can't even compete with.
As TRD stated they can't follow Audi as Audi is a legitimate luxury brand. R8, S4, AWD, V-8, V-10, super chargers, luxury options galore etc etc.
They have depended on 0% financing/downpayment/etc to sell vehicles, reverting to GM methods of years ago. They have to be grateful to loyal fans who stay loyal and buy the brand.
Honda needs to SERIOUSLY move Acura upmarket or stop selling them as Acuras and just be like Hyundai and badge them all Hondas and cover the 10k-50k+ markets.
Acura basically being Honda plus and not a real luxury brand and having no intention of becoming one hurts Lexus (and Infiniti somewhat). The image of Japanese luxury cars (Lexus, Acura, Infiniti) will always be far below the Germans(Benz, BMW, Lexus) as the Germans have 3 legitimate luxury brands and Japan has only one. It would be GREAT if Acura actually stepped things up. It would push Lexus and help the image of Japanese luxury cars. Lexus CANNOT battle the big 3 Germans basically alone. Infiniti is far better than Acura from a luxury perspective but sales struggle outside the G37. I've been on this site 10 years now and we hear the same old song from Acura for ten years and we've said and heard the same things for ten years. In contrast Lexus and Infiniti have substantially moved upmarket. I really feel for the Acura dealers
as they told Honda what people wanted in regards to luxury and they were PROMISED the move upmarket like a real luxury brand and dealers in return invested MILLIONS to upgrade dealerships with hopes of getting what was promised. DEALERS ARE PISSED with Acura/Honda. In return they got NOTHING as promised and to make matters worse got some of the WORST styling around where their bread and butter TL saw sales drop 50%. Imagine being an Acura dealer! You invested millions on the promise of getting real luxury products and in return you get nothing and then get ugly styled cars you have to sell. I really feel for them, it is NOT THEIR FAULT.
I feel sorry for the fans. For so long they were promised interesting products and the move upmarket and they argued intensely that it was coming and in return they got nothing but ugly styling. What a let down.
Then they are forced to watch everyone else move forward with their plans and far more interesting products. Its like being a LA Clippers fan, yeah you got a NBA team but management and the owners have no true interest to elevate the franchise and fluff an fluff for years and years. Their situation is pretty hopeless in being considered a real luxury brand. The biggest slap in the face is from Hyundai, who is making legitimate luxury sedans where Acura CANNOT compete. The Genesis hasn't even seen the RL in a Comparo. Hyundai has come out of NOWHERE and embarrasses Acura. Ten years ago, no Acura, Lexus, Infiniti fan would have thought HYUNDAI would have RWD and V-8s and more before Acura.
While they canceled everything they talked about here came Hyundai with the Genesis and now comes the Equus and both are superior to any sedan they have produced in 25 years. There makes no sense in offering the brand and acting like its luxury when Hyundai makes vehicles you can't even compete with.
As TRD stated they can't follow Audi as Audi is a legitimate luxury brand. R8, S4, AWD, V-8, V-10, super chargers, luxury options galore etc etc.
They have depended on 0% financing/downpayment/etc to sell vehicles, reverting to GM methods of years ago. They have to be grateful to loyal fans who stay loyal and buy the brand.
Honda needs to SERIOUSLY move Acura upmarket or stop selling them as Acuras and just be like Hyundai and badge them all Hondas and cover the 10k-50k+ markets.
). Who knows though, maybe going into hibernation during the soft economy is a smart strategy. I sincerely hope that Honda will come back strong when they decide to wake up.
