Though auto pundits and car enthusiasts alike have been calling on Acura to drop its ban on rear-wheel-drive and V8 engines, no one ever really expects the automaker to go through with it. It's the brand's identity, its thing, its shtick. Though an Acura may be down on torque and driven by the wrong set of wheels compared to its German competition, most buyers at least marvel at how much the engineers have done in terms of performance and handling when saddled with a V6 and front-wheel-drive or part-time all-wheel-drive. We're hearing more rumors that Acura's long holdout may be coming to an end. In addition to the last report from Best Car, now Inside Line is also claiming that the next Acura RL flagship model will be powered by a V8 and be rear-wheel-drive, or at least have a revised SH-AWD system that engages the front wheels when the rears are slipping. IL's source claims that a 4.8L V8 producing 420 horsepower is being developed and will feature cylinder deactivation technology to keep fuel economy up.
Acura showed us its Advanced Sedan Concept at the 2007 LA Auto Show, which some thought foreshadowed the next-gen RL. Inside Line claims that after the concept's lukewarm reception, Acura stylists went back to the drawing board for a new design. Whether or not the new sheetmetal will be accompanied by a big break in tradition for Acura remains to be seen. We're still a bit skeptical, but anything's possible in this competitive climate.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Justin @ Mar 18th 2008 12:41PM
DO IT HONDA
slotownbrian @ Mar 18th 2008 12:42PM
yeah...that'll happen the day after Fiats and Ferraris start sharing engines.
ckm @ Mar 18th 2008 3:24PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Dino
JayP @ Mar 18th 2008 12:52PM
I'll probably regret my next word... but has to be said.
NASCAR.
Franz @ Mar 18th 2008 1:04PM
It's never been a question of whether or not they can do it. It's whether or not they will do it. And if they do, I'm sure they'll give the more traditional marques a lot to worry about. I for one would love to see the RL go V8 and RWD, with SH-AWD available as an option.
daz @ Mar 18th 2008 7:08PM
I agree.
Torrent @ Mar 18th 2008 1:08PM
I won't lie- the RL is looking better.
Will @ Mar 18th 2008 1:15PM
Why can't Acura's designers get it right the first time like most company's... its sad. I've been a Honda/ Acura fan for a long time, but have been waiting for a RWD Acura sedan. We all know that Honda can create great handling rwd cars. So Honda
why not rwd sedans?
Stéphane Dumas @ Mar 18th 2008 1:50PM
I'm not sure, maybe the reason why Honda don't or won't put a V8 engine may probably link to the "green" image of Honda. Put a V8 Acura and some ecologists will think they have been betrayed and also if the V8 is more successeful then they originally planned (depending of how deep the recession will be), it could hinder their CAFE numbers
Will @ Mar 22nd 2008 5:52PM
That may be true about Honda's green image, but a rear wheel drive car with a V6 wouldn't be bad at all. A V8 would be nice, but most people wouldn't opt for it. Acura start with a FR sedan with a V6, like a G35/ IS250/350 competitor.
speedball3 @ Mar 18th 2008 1:25PM
V8 and RWD/RWD-biased-AWD sound great, but the IL article states it expects the price to be 70k!!! No way! At that price, no one will care that it's V8/RWD.... somehow, some way, Honda needs to maintain its current RL content and price, while adding this new engine or at least RWD (high standard, i know... typical consumer, right?). That would be a killer car and help boost Acura back up.
naggs @ Mar 18th 2008 2:46PM
seriously, if they expect an acura to command M5 price, they are ridiculously optimistic
cameron42985 @ Mar 18th 2008 1:39PM
The first RL remains the best looking.
jgp @ Mar 18th 2008 2:06PM
No, the first _Legend_ remains the best-looking.
The RL has always been a disappointment.
Temple @ Mar 18th 2008 2:01PM
Being that Peter Lyons of Edmunds is also a contributer to BestCar magazine its not surprising that this rumor has crossed the pacific.
EJ @ Mar 18th 2008 2:06PM
Very interesting, although personally I'm more interested in when RWD will hit the TL, which is the absolute perfect sedan for me aside from the floaty FWD handling and the attendant steering radius.
Ford Wannup @ Mar 18th 2008 2:41PM
I will not get my hopes up with respect to Honda. Afterall, this is the company that, despite Gordon Murray's preference and incessant begging, refused to produce the engine for McLaren F1.
Hung2 @ Mar 18th 2008 2:41PM
I'll believe it - when I see it!
L.Wood @ Mar 18th 2008 2:41PM
I don't understand the big hoo-haa about rear wheel drive for luxury cars. Most of the buyers of these cars don't know rear wheel drive from front wheel drive without someone explaining it to them. Cruising down the highway with a cell phone firmly clasped to their business ear does not leave much time to contemplate which end of the car is providing forward motion. It seems like a much over-rated marketing ploy over substance.
Jason @ Mar 18th 2008 4:22PM
I agree with this 100%. ALL of the people here who are saying "Oh yeah, go Acura! Do it!" wouldn't buy one if they RL did go RWD V8. Acura doesn't care with a blog full of people who think RWD + V8 = awesome car no matter what think, because those aren't the people who actually go in and spend money on a car like the RL anyway. Very few of them would back up their words with their wallet, and even fewer than that can actually afford to even if they wanted to.