AutoSpies.com Officially Appoints You CEO: If You Ran ACURA, What Would YOU Do Differently?

Fire my design staff, fire my design staff, fire my design staff. Build a flagship.

you beat me to it, i thought i was the first one to post. Good to see we were thinking alike.

Lose the goofy grill on all models and switch the RL and TL to rear wheel drive within two years time.

kill the grille!

You guys are looking too much into design part. BMW also has some of the most hideous design but it still sells.

Let's talk about what a car is about, platform and set up.........

Yeah definitely the grill needs to be killed and the RL has to be turned to RWD...

a total redesign of the front quarter and front end on
tl rl and slight redesign update on new tsx grill
interior dash and console redsign on tl,rl (looks space age but non friendly and cheap)v-8 option for rl
ALL GRILL WORK NEEDS TO GO EVEN ON THE SUVS.. acura is a great car lineup just get to work on the design dept.

Redesign the TL! And fire everyone who thought it looked good.

I would start by FIRING MY DESIGNERS!

WOW, these new Acuras are UGLY! What is with these grilles? LOL! Does anybody take these cars seriously?

As others have said fire my entire design staff first

Study the possibility of making a flagship

Make a strong competitor for the E-class/ 5-series etc.

i dont think that they can compete with the E-class/5series yet...i thought they had a good chance to compete with the C-class/3series with the previous TL but this new one just set them back.

I would make a light weight baja pickup with race suspension with min.25 inches of wheel travel! It would also be a crew cab. It would have to have full skid plates and be meant for off road use. It would also be nice if it was efficient, maybe powered by PML's electric motors and a generator.

?

LOL, it actually sounds cool but OMG...Acura of all companies to build it???

I have always been ahead of the auto industry,trends... they just don't get trucks. Oh and the Acura designers can design this truck too! Trucks can be ugly, as long as they perform.lol I do like Acura.

Make a proper flagship and call it LEGEND. Bring back the CL, put a V-6 in the TSX and call it TSX Type-S, keep current TSX, but use the S2000 engine. I would get rid of that corporate grill or at least make some major changes to it. And of course get rid of the entire design team and all the "Yes Men" who agreed that the current designs were good to go.

Absolutely agree. Many people forget that it was Honda/Acura division that brought the first premium upscale car here from the Japanese automakers - it was the Legend. I can't understand why they ever decided to drop a well known name. The TSX, TL and RL front end all look alike - Freakin UGLY. You can't easily differentiate what separates these three models. I owned a 2004 TL when the body style changed in 2004. However, I noticed that all TLs w/out navigation system came with these cheap a*# Bridgestone Turanza EL41 or EL42 tires on them (which were later recalled by Honda for flat spotting). Moreover, the Acura TSX model came standard with some really nice Michelin tires regardless of with/without a NAV system. The RL model during that generation was close in size and many people wanted a V8 in it, but Honda refused. Buyers didn't like the mid $50K sticker price that was on them either; many people thought why not just buy a TL for about $15K less.

1) So I agree FIRE their designers NOW.
2) Bring back the Legend, Integra name plates
3) Give your customers something more as they step up in models (like the tire issue).
4) Don't let "UAW1" and his UAW union kronies into your new factory, or they'll continue to strike and make poor quality cars if you don't bargin with them.

Hahah, gkearns... it's funny to see how much 1UAW irks you. You take a post on Acura's styling and turn it into an assault on 1UAW.

You're a funny guy.

Oh yeah, Truckman, what are you talking about? I see that you like trucks, but your comment was way out in left field.

When Columbus declared the world flat he was deemed out to left field too. All the companies are waiting for someone else to do it first and only then they will follow, They may have degrees coming out of there ass but they can't think outside of the box.It would have to be efficient to work, and it is possible!

In No Order:
Return "Legend" name to US market
All New V8 & TurboV6 Legend RWD & Coupe (no droptop)
All NEW Lighter MDX 315-330 HP
Fire 75% of current Designers
Hire new Marketing Company
New TL Coupe, & Hardtop Conv.
Seperate Acura & Honda interior Design...

Stop producing FWD luxury cars and create a true RWD platform.

#1- redesign grill immediately ( why make your best seller with so much controversy??)
#2- RWD flagship sedan V-8 (1988 and no V-8s..ever??)
#3- Make Type-S across the board (M...AMG) TSX 3.5 6 cyl..type-S
#4- bring diesel...hybrid...electric...something that tells the buyer you care (even if you dont....like Lexus)
#5- scrap X-6 comepetitor (disaster in the making)
#6- bring 2 competitive coupes
#7- Call the TL the RL and bring a true sports sedan to the game...

I think Acura has a lot of this in progress as we speak....but the grill has to go and a flagship is desperately needed.

V-10 NSX

I would build all Acura’s on versions of the NSX platform. RWD based w/ SH AWD options on some models. I personally like the new grilles but the pubic seems to think they are too big so I would make smaller versions of all the grilles sort of like the TSX
The lineup would include

The Flagship RL -a 4.2-4.8 V8 w/ MDS 400hp and a 3.7 V6 with 340-350 HP. Fully loaded and feature all the latest technology for about 65-68k . It would be a sporty alternative to the LS 460 and Bavarian 7 Series

The TL – RWD once again based SH AWD. 3.5-3.7 V6. Make the tech pkge on the SH AWD versions standard ( I think they are but not sure) Make the base version the same except no SH AWD. Keep the tech pkge, wheels trim and looks the same . Aimed at E class, 5 Series, and arch nemesis will be the A6

The CL- same as TL. A coupe version of the TL with sharp edgy styling. It will only come with the SH AWD Prime target will be the G37 and the E class coupe and A5

The TSX- New RWD based platform w/ optional SH AWD. Slotted under the TL and CL performance & price. Type S version with small 3.0 V6 w/ turbo. Prime Target is the 3 series, G sedan, and the IS

CDX- Crossover same RWD platform. Will share powertrains with the TL/CL. 3 Rows of seats and standard SH AWD Competition for the MB R Class

MDX -same deal but RWD platform and a more Acura like Grille. Prime target is the RX, BMW X5 and Infiniti FX

RDX- Share power trains with the TSX. Basically an X3, Q5, GLK fighter

NSX- Halo car Prime target on the low end is the GT-R Corvette on the high end Aston Martin Bentley

****Maybe an RSX depending on how the Toyota Subaru RWD coupe and Nissan 250 SX coupe are received. If reception is positive then
2.5 4 banger w/ turbo Of course RWD no AWD option. Will be small but not as small as last RSX. 25k range Prime target would be the small sub 25 Japanese sports cars and the BMW 1 Series

Not only would I fire the current design staff, but I'd also hire every Italian designer I could get my hands on. The extra money they would save in fewer product delays due to bad styling would be more than enough to pay for them.

Title should be:
"AutoSpies.com officially appoints you CEO. Acura executives and shareholders ask 'What's AutoSpies?'"

First and foremost, bring out a new Legend sedan AND coupe at the SAME TIME!!!!!!

It would be the rebirth of the brand. Hell, the ad campaign could be "The Legend is Reborn" or something.

Next, do temporary visual tweaks to the other models in the lineup and return the old naming structure as well (Integra, Vigor, etc.).

Make a true NSX successor. And make it fast both in performance and a production date.

Ditch the Bose and Panasonic/ELS audio systems in favor of a higher end (and quality) brand name. (Definitive Technology/Krell?)

Teach all executives to shut their mouths about future plans/wishful thinking. Let the truth speak for itself. Remind them that raising false hopes really does hurt brand integrity.

Well Jimmy Durante used to say "the nose knows". In Acura's case I would say "the nose knows not". I would simply restyle the nose grill back to the previous design. I would further tighten up the suspension on the TSX,offer and AWD option and offer the turbo 4 from the RSX Sport Utility.I would also work on future RWD versions of all the sedans. Since the RSX has gone up in size I would consider again a smaller coupe. But I would say borrow the chassis from the Honda S2000 and put it on a slightly longer wheelbase and offer 2 plus 2 seating.I would offer it in a 2.4 higher tuned engine of say 280 HP/N/A or the turbo 4. Being that the Acura would be a lighter car then the new 370Z(say around 2900 LBS),it's power to weight ratio would be close to a Z's.Performance would be similar and the Acura might offer better handling due to it's less nose heavy weight characteristics.Since there are looming fuel economy concerns I would develope a turbo V6 for the RL and TL in leui of the V8.(They say 2015 but I don't think it's gonna happen)

Short range
•LOSE THE BEAK
•Remove the design staff
•Focus on value marketing
•Start low, low interest rates and incentives
•Here’s the hard one introduce the NSX build 500 cars the dump it. Far to expensive a car.
•Shift the paradigm, start think like a “Tier One” company.

Mid range
•Rebuild company image, define corporate image.
•With Honda – move to more brand independent cars
•Build the flagship – V8 Negotiate RWD and SH-AWD undercut the competition by $15K
•Move design language to elegance as opposed to the current eccentric.
•Develop a world class transmission instead of worlds last.
•Adopt a BMWesque development plan: introduce a new model, 2 years later up date engine, 3 years midlife model update, 5 years special editions 6 years model replacement.
•Focus on one model make it world class.

Long range

•Develop and:”M” divisions, I think Acura buyer have a higher preference for performance than most luxury brands.
•Halo car at a $100K
•Update dealer network to “Luxury palaces” ala Lexus, instead of upscale Honda dealership.
•Take Acura worldwide


Did I mention I would fire the design staff!

I would not fire anyone, but I would instruct the design team about the bad design approaches they're following, give them examples of other failed companies, eliminate front wheel drive luxury cars, SUVs, start building real cars that are rear wheel drive layout (then make them AWD if wanted). Add some nice curves into the design lines as the current angular ones are just horrible ugly and tasteless. And definitely not request a salary of millions of $$$, $500k is more than enough and do the same to the remaining top management. And of course, what’s really worth $35-$40k not to be sold as a $50k, and I mean the RL.

"I would not fire anyone". Lets get this straight....reward the idiots who designed these ugly front-ends. Sounds like another GM CEO who just doesn't get it. If your design teams aren't designing cars people are enthusiastic about or want, you don't reward them with slap on the wrist and tell them "try again people" on another PRODUCTION car. THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE CONCEPT CARS AND PROTOTYPES; to get reaction and feedback from the public. (Lets just waste all those millions of dollars that go into R&D so I can come back a SECOND time to do it right (and burn more money). Heck I wouldn't want you running my company - BIG3 all over again losinf money.

Bring back the Integra! Base it on the RWD S2000 platform.

Never would of cancel the INTEGRA Line !!! The Integra name was very popular here in California but not sure about the rest of the States. Anyway to me the Integra was the best seller for Acura and i don't know why they change the name to RSX and than stop the RSX ??
Would of kept the name LEGEND as the Flag Ship car.
I had a Integra when i was in college and i love it. It was an icon for most young kids. Everyone wanted an Integra. Also, i was going to get a Legend when i get older but now with these RL TL. It just different. Not very appealing and all the Front End design are all ugly!
The only car that look good to me in Acura is the Last Generation TSX and current RDX.
Bring back the Integra or RSX (if you wish to call it that) and make sure you have a 4 Door version too.
Fire the current Design Staff !! Ugly Front Design on current TL and RL !!

What was once a good brand is now a totally cock up. Nothing can really fix them now they've got such a crap bad image. A pity.

The general ugliness of their cars is terrible. A real shame.

Everyone is saying fire the designers. I agree the designs need a lot of work, but do you honestly think that these designs and direction are all the designers? Obviously the Acura management decided that the new front would be their brand image so we all knew they were Acuras at first glance...only now we say look at that ugly Acura from a mile out. I understand what they tried to do from a brand building perspective, they just failed.
On this same website, there was an article about an Acura dealership showing these with the front grille painted to match the body and it really made a big difference. For immediate production (6-9 months)you can fix the front by painting the grille while they test a new design and make sure that it is consumer ready.
Fire whoever was hired for the marketing campaign. they have done a poor job creating a brand that justifies the prices. I rarely see Acura commericals let alone ones that make me say, what was that car again. Maybe I should see what its about.
Agree 100% with a new Legend in 4 and 2 doors. Would be a great marketing campaign as mentioned by someone previously.
They do have some highlites though I think we're overlooking. Honda has a track record for long lasting cars, so quality should be established(although I've never owned an Acura.) Their SH-AWD has gotten great reviews from a lot of car enthusiasts so they've done a good job with handling and an AWD system that caqn be carried over to most cars. They've also got some good advanced technology inside the car so that's another plus.
They've got to stop making cars that look like Hondas and stop selling Acuras under the Honda Red tag in other countries (like Canada). About a year ago I saw an Acura from Ontario that was badged a Honda. Enough said. Create more differentiation between the models so people don't feel like they bought an RL and it looks like a $30,000 car.
A new NSX is so over due that people can get a GTR, a 911, SL550, etc. for a little bit cheaper than the new NSX is going to be. Plus those old NSX buyers are done with Acura. they've moved on. I don't know that a new NSX is going to save Acura anymore. I think they should focus on better cars than this one super car. Whose going to buy a $150,000 sports car from Acura when they can get the cars previously mentioned.
Agree with the person that said build a hybrid. That will get some consumers to at least look at Acuras again and is marketable to consumers.
Focus on the MDX/RDX platform because soccer moms seem to really like it and it can somewhat compete with the RX from Lexus and the EX from Infiniti.

Well what a response, if only they sold a car for every comment!!
I would have a seven or eight speed dsg transmission instead of yesterdays news five speed. No money for that eight cylinder for the RL, do a turbo or a supercharger for the short term.
C'mon Honda, lets get going.

I would make Acura achieve it's goal: to be Honda's luxury division. There's barely any difference between Honda and Acura except $10,000. So that's the first thing I would do: more luxury features and more incentive to buy Acura over Honda. The next thing I would do is ditch the angular/bird beak design. I don't know of anyone who is crazy about it. The next thing I would do is eliminate the four cylinder engines and replace them with small V6s. Most luxury brands don't offer four cylinder vehicles in the U.S. I would also get rid of FWD. It's either SH-AWD or RWD. I would also bring the NSX back ASAP. That car is one of Acura's biggest success stories.

I would also make the Type-S cars something to brag about and spread that nameplate to the RL, TSX, and MDX in addition to the TL. I would also redesign/stop building the RSX. That car has run its course already.

I'd hire Megan Fox to be the spokesmodel.

ADVERTISE. Aside from the usual styling/V8/RWD comments, I think one of the biggest reasons that Acura is seen as so boring by consumers is because it doesn't really have a luxurious image. People don't want a "smart" luxury car. They want a luxury car that they can show off. Sad, but true. Toyota capitalized on this and that's why Lexus has been such a smashing success. Acura would need to be EVERYWHERE, and I would want a complete overhaul of the brand, right down to the corporate symbol.

It's too deep to go into now, but Acura really needs to separate itself from Honda, to say the least.

I'd continue to make Hondas with an Acura badge.

I'D HIGHER CHRIS BANGLE!

Focus on making cars.

Focus on making cars.

- Design. More character in the exterior, more attactive grilles, but still emphasizing the perfect blend of luxury and performance, Acura's biggest strong point.

- Interior. Cargo and everything is perfect, attractive dashboards, layed out buttons, just try using more knobs. Materials are above the line.

- Innovation. Focus on creating V8's on RL and a Type-S model for TL. Make rear-biased SH-AWD for TL and RL, as well as RDX, MDX, and the upcoming SUV. Parking assist and even more safety and luxury features are needed.

- NSX Replacement. Start from scratch on the NSX successor project. Use Rear Mid-engined, rear wheel drive layout from predecessor. Make it the "Ferrari For Everyone" it used to be.

They say the design will grow on us, but that means it will take time for sales. Why not just make the car beautiful from the beggining. If you want to be different, just have extremely stunning designs on cars cheaper than it's competition, that's enough already. It was how the S2000 was so popular.

First, the TSX is too large for its market segment. There is being bigger than the competition, and there's being a friggin' Honda Accord sized sport sedan. There needs to be a turbo 4 like Audi, coupled with optional SHAWD. Keep the manual transmisson.
TL would be RWD with the 3.5 V6 standard, and an optional turbo 3.5L V6 producing 320hp, 300+ lb ft, available with manual transmission.
RL Needs to be bigger - a la 7 series. This car needs to have a standard twin turbo diesel 6 (to set it apart) and an optional 5.0L V8 producing at least 370 hp. This engine needs to be a class leader in fuel economy - Acura/Honda have the know-how
MDX is pretty nice, but has a high off the ground look. It needs to have the look of being chiseled from one piece of metal, like the Q7 - fluid design. This needs to have the turbo V6 from the TL and have an optional V8, but slightly de-tuned from the RL's.
RDX to become a mini MDX. Increase the overall size marginally, and keep the turbo 4 as standard, with optional turbo 6 diesel. Offer a manual transmission in 10% of models. SH-AWD to remail standard, but price needs to decrease. Optional sunroof and 18" wheels.
CL - This RWD coupe would have the same engine program as the TL, will be on the same platform, and must be class leading for style. Acura needs to have a famous designer come in...it's not like they can't afford it! This coupe would be smaller than the TL slightly and would weigh 100-200lbs less, and offered with a manual transmission.
Obviously the NSX. YES to the V10, YES to a standard 6spd manual, optional 7 spd sequential automatic, standard MR layout with optional SH-AWD. This car needs to cost 90-110K t keep the cache and exclusivity.
2 crucial things for Acura? 6 or 7 speed automatic/sequential automatic, RWD platform, and a revolutionary V8 and diesel motors. All of these would take Acura to the next level - on the up like Audi.

Dump the goofy, hideous grills!! They scream, "Laser me Mr. Officer!"

RWD V8 450hp Legend Sedan to compete with S Class and 7 Series... RWD V8 450hp Legend Coupe Cabriolet to compete with the CL Class... Optional 6spd manual transmission... Hire Fisker to design using the 2nd Legend Generation stying cues with a cross of a Masarati Quadraporte and Bentley GT... 19" Wheels designed by Assanti. The interior will be be exotic color leather and wood combinations. Remus Exhaust and 0-6 time in around 4 - 5 seconds. This will be a big ass car!

The TL will be a supercharged V6 with AWD, redesigned like the above with a coupe/cabriolet version to compete with the Audi A5 and E class Coupes

The TSX will be entry level, redesigned as the above fwd v6 with a type s version supercharged v6