More Best Car speculation: V8 Acura RL
When we had the current-generation Acura RL in the Autoblog Garage, we thought that its understated design was attractive enough, but opined that it looked rather anonymous in the face of competitors such as the BMW 5-series, Infiniti M35 and especially the new Cadillac CTS. What may be a bigger problem to consumers is the lack of a V8 engine option, especially considering that even Hyundai has seen fit to offer its top-level sedan with V8 power. Additionally, the current RL is based on a front-wheel-drive chassis architecture, and although we found that the Super Handling-All Wheel Drive system worked rather well, the new RL might get an AWD system based on a rear-wheel-drive chassis.
If rumors from Japan's Best Car agazine hold true, expect to see a new 4.5 liter V8 in Acura's recently redesigned flagship sporting over 400 horsepower. The rendering shown above appears to be a current-generation Accord, which is already quite large, stretched out in every direction. A U.S. version for Acura would surely get a grille more in-line with its current angular design theme which was shown off at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this month. Since this is just a rendering, we won't judge its looks much, but we would hope that a production version of Acura's RL flagship would look significantly different than their mainstream sedan, the Accord.
Gallery: 2009 Acura RL
[Source: Best Car via Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Brian 11:43AM (2/27/2008)
Wow, this rendering looks GREAT!
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Rick 12:16PM (2/27/2008)
Hey look, a faster and uglier Accord!
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Ryan 11:46AM (2/27/2008)
Wow, a complete knockoff of Mercedes Benz. I hope this isn't the final version.
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garlinski 11:47AM (2/27/2008)
The grill looks pretty good! Haven't we seen something like this specific Accord before? I think I remember the Orange seats.
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kanoswrx 11:47AM (2/27/2008)
Are they going for a Cadillac look or something? That thing looks hideous from the front, whats with the HUGE accord grille!! That photochop is pretty bad, I doubt it would look anything like that anyways, thank god!
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Paul H. 11:47AM (2/27/2008)
Speculation: This flagship is at least a decade late to the party.
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Tsunami Racer 2:11PM (2/27/2008)
i see your decade and raise you another!! i'd say they're almost 20 years late to the party. Lexus LS first launched in 1989. V8-less, rwd sedan-less acura has been drowning in their wake ever since.
DJ 11:55AM (2/27/2008)
"A U.S. version for Acura would surely get a grille more in-line with its current angular design theme which looks like a total pice of sh*t was shown off at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this month."
After seeing the Hyundai Genesis sedan at the Milwaukee Auto Show last weekend, Acura needs to either get out of this segment altogether or come up with something that doesn't look like a fat, oversized Accord with plastic aluminum stretched across it's nose. Jeez, Joan Rivers looks better than the frontend of the 2009 RL!
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Frylock350 11:56AM (2/27/2008)
The front end of that thing is all Cadillac, but that's a good thing. Looks nice overall.
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BlackbirdHighway 11:58AM (2/27/2008)
Whats next, putting this thing in NASCAR?
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tymobile 12:07PM (2/27/2008)
GT-R SUV Scoop!!!
http://www.bestmotoring.cn/read.php?2271
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Bryan Riddle 12:14PM (2/27/2008)
Honda building a V8? thats great news if it actually happens... put A-VTEC in it and it'll be on ward's ten best for the next decade
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Christian 11:37AM (2/28/2008)
Again: only 10-11 years late to the party. Ford has had variable timing V8s in luxury models since around 1998 and in regular Fords since 2004 (F-150, Stang, Falcon).
Bryan Riddle 2:50PM (2/28/2008)
advanced VTEC does more than variable timing, it can do continously variable cam phase control AND continously variable valve lift and timing control. variable valve timing has been around for 10 years and honda does that too. its not that big a deal. just check the literature, it's an interesting but confusing field.
the modular V8 in the current mustang gets 300hp from 4.6 liters - a honda a-VTEC V8 could get 400hp (probably more)from 4 liters and significantly better gas mileage
Christian 7:04PM (3/01/2008)
You have no clue. Honda might start buy making an S2000 that doesn't normally eat gas, before getting to magical 4.0L V8s. Its a fact the $/mi in gasoline is the same for Mustang GT vs S2000, chum
p
el-indiano 12:10PM (2/27/2008)
whats this caddy comments thing. it looks just like an accord.
an accord with more jewelry.
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epilonious 12:22PM (2/27/2008)
total DTS killer *snrk*
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why not the LS2/LS7? 12:24PM (2/27/2008)
I pretty much completely hate it.
The grille is awful. The rear isn't entirely terrible, but it's so derivative of a Mercedes that it spoils the entire look.
Skip.
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Throwback 12:29PM (2/27/2008)
I just don't see Honda doing a V-8. Not that they can't, they do make some of the best engines on the planet. My guess is they would go with a Turbo V-6 that would easily get over 400hp.
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captainslow 1:22PM (2/27/2008)
Honda only does high revving naturally aspirated engines. I don't think they have ever put a turbocharger in a stock vehicle. They don't believe in "artificial" performance. Similar to BMW's old philosophy