Upcoming Acura lineup.

I went into the dealership yesterday to have my HandsFreeLink (bluetooth) checked out, while I was waiting I ended up talking to a salesman. I was telling him that I had no interest in trading my '05 TL in for an '07 because there wasn't enough difference between the two in my opinion, then as I was telling him what I would like to see with the Acura lineup, he told me that I sounded as if I was in a meeting they had with an Acura rep 2 days ago as I was saying a lot of the same things that they had been told by the rep. I was basically expressing frustration with the fwd setup, the need for more power to compete, and the need for the RL to either "piss or get off the pot." From that meeting he told me that acura is planning a major overhaul of their lineup to include:

*300+ HP across the line (to include the TSX)
*a TSX coupe
*due to the fact that acura has stretched the 3.2L V6 to the limit, a larger engine for the TL but with i-VTEC (he said that Acura will not let the fuel economy drop to the mid - low teens)
*AWD across the line. (What? no RWD) He told me that with the HP #'s they have to be able to better direct that power to the ground and be safe about it at the same time
*V8 (no larger than 4.2L) for the RL
*And most importantly...A NEW FLAGSHIP SEDAN!!! He told me that the name LEGEND, among others was being strongly considered for that new car based on the name's popularity and its recognition in the marketplace.
*also approx. 280hp for the '08 Accord V6
We didn't talk about where the RL would slot in the marketplace, but he did mention that acura wants to compete with the Lexus LS460 and BMW 7-Series, so that suggests the RL will stay where it is in terms of market position while the Legend takes on the competition's flagships, but with a 300HP TSX, will that move the TL upmarket on the same level as the RL (kinda like lexus does with the IS and ES) I'm coming up with a few questions as I type this that I didn't think about yesterday.

He said that Acura's V8 would be an entry-level (in terms of size) to ensure they keep their fuel economy above average. The TSX will probably have a V6 but a turbo is still a possibility. He told me that Acura wants to emphasize perfomance and safety more than they have in the past. I hope most of the information is true. I can't wait for the games to begin. Keep your fingers crossed! If anyone can add to this or disprove any of it, please share! Let's post some good information!

Rupert - 5/26/2007 7:03:21 PM

+4 Boost

The TSX is the Honda Accord in Europe, and actually is considered by some to be 3 series rival, despite Honda badge, it has the looks and the interior. Do you get the really sleek Tourer version in the US?

devitocoke - 5/26/2007 7:06:21 PM

+3 Boost

It's about time, I am the owner of a 2004 TSX, and it is a nice car but i will not buy the 2nd generation TSX unless it has more HP than the accord. So 300+ HP sounds exciting to me, they have the ability to step it up, so i am unsure why it is taking Honda/Acura so long to continue what they started when they introduced the Legend.

WeAreMad - 5/26/2007 7:42:57 PM

+4 Boost

Acura needs to go rear drive to be truely competative in the market they perceive they are in (luxury) AND offer awd as an option. if they go awd then there just aiming @ audi (which is ok, but they'll be overlooked by shoppers of the 3, c, and is). if this is just smoke, than there still running w/ buick. good-luck and bring back the nsx w/ a 500+hp v10 ;)

Agent63 - 5/26/2007 7:55:09 PM

+3 Boost

I'm glad they are having thoughts of moving up market. Surely Acura is capable of doing so. Their build qualities on the latest MDX is a clear indication they have great potential.

Now I don't think they will beat Lexus in sales but they for sure have the ability to beat Infiniti for sure. With the new introduction of the G37 and the G35 sedan it's already a tough task for Acura to beat that segment. However in terms of the M and the supposed new Q coming out Acura still has a great chance to capitalize.

The way I see it is if Lexus can create a A8, 7 Series, and S-class competitor Acura can too. Lexus was rebadged as Toyotas so what makes Acura that different?. Once again it all boils down to proper marketing management. Sure Acura isn't the most prestige Japanese brand but it has what it takes to become one.

Bringing back the Legend will signify a new revolution of cars from Acura. More power and hopefully some RWD options as well. V8 would be required to compete with the big luxury brands. However like I said Acura/Infiniti/Lexus are eco-luxury brands so Acura will have great bang for buck. If they can get it up to the level of a Lexus then the bang for buck value would have increase significantly.

xboyjan9 - 5/27/2007 11:29:54 AM

+1 Boost

In terms of the economy in mind, why can't acura just introduce honda's new A-VTEC to all of there engines?

Alec - 5/26/2007 8:18:05 PM

-1 Boost

Umm I dont suppose you caught on to something. The Acura RL is the rebadged version on the Honda Legend. So if there is a new Legend, there is a new RL. Honda cars carry the name, Acura carries the alphabetical soup 2 or 3 lettered cars.

Agent63 - 5/27/2007 6:04:09 AM

+3 Boost

That's in a different market though. The Acura Legend was known to us North Americans but the Honda Legend is known off our shores.

But since people know of the Legend as an Acura car it will be easier to sell than having a new name for a vehicle, especially if their wanting to move upmarket.

Either way, I hope Acura finds a way to solidify their interiors and make them even more plush for the next generations to come. With the right designers and marketers Acura has a lot of to look forward to.

JDMman - 5/26/2007 10:58:21 PM

-1 Boost

oh man. rice master is back at it. stupidty affects people but not like this guy. cylinder deactivation is a GM product which they will pretty much sue to keep theirs, with that cylinder deactivation you'll need a super vtec to make sure those valves aren't running. a 4.5L V8 would fit in every acura, right, thats some grade a bullshit. i've worked on hondas before and no way is a 4.5L V8 gonna be more fuel efficent than a freaking inline 4. thats saying a boeing 747 is more fuel efficent than a toyota prius. real smart comment there kid.

indifferent - 5/27/2007 12:46:44 AM

0 Boost

the GM with cylinder deactivation is the honda engine.

JRobUSC - 5/27/2007 12:09:55 PM

+1 Boost

There are so many flat out wrong and ridiculous statements in there I'm not even going to bother. I'll have some of whatever RICEMASTER's been smoking please.

chewy - 5/26/2007 10:34:29 PM

+2 Boost

Yes, a V8 will get better fuel economy than the four cylinder version that it is based on. LOL.

JDMman - 5/26/2007 10:59:10 PM

+1 Boost

aside from mr.rice up there, isn't the legend name already in use in japan as the RL?

cl0wn - 5/27/2007 3:54:15 AM

+2 Boost

who cares about the power plant without the proper RWD setup... yes honda... there is such thing as RWD.... im tired of burning up my handbrake....

Blakura - 6/10/2007 9:03:27 AM

+1 Boost

We need more of the AZ members to represent our cars on this site, you're right, it is nice to see another member, there are too many lexus, toyota, and bmw fans on here...needs some balance IMO.

GLover - 5/27/2007 7:16:08 PM

+2 Boost

AWD... are they serious. Look at Audi!

wackura - 9/6/2007 10:59:18 PM

+1 Boost

300hp in a TSX? Riiiiiight.

Poom - 12/14/2008 8:22:38 PM

+1 Boost

It takes time for perfection. Acura was bland when it first came here, and at first people liked the cheap luxury, but quickly became bored. They made their cars look nice. As they experiment with things, other things fail. I hope design is added somewhere in there.