Rumors continue to mount for Acura RL with V8, RWD
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 12:41PM (3/18/2008)
DO IT HONDA
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slotownbrian 12:42PM (3/18/2008)
yeah...that'll happen the day after Fiats and Ferraris start sharing engines.
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ckm 3:24PM (3/18/2008)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Dino
JayP 12:52PM (3/18/2008)
I'll probably regret my next word... but has to be said.
NASCAR.
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nastinupe 2:50PM (3/18/2008)
Honda, do it... do it all night long! And while you're at it. Take that V8 and pump it up and make another mid engined sports car.
And also, make the next TSX AWD and give it a V6 please with at least 300 hp.
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Jason 4:24PM (3/18/2008)
The next TSX will not get AWD. There's no way. It's an Accord... and there's no AWD Accord. That whole platform wasn't engineered with AWD in mind, and they're definitely not going to re-design it just for us because we want AWD when it's sold in markets all around the world who buy more of them than the US does.
That being said, I'm a 2007 6MT TSX owner, and I'd like to see an AWD K23 turbo TSX... I might trade up for one if there were one. Sad fact is, it's not going to happen.
Franz 1:04PM (3/18/2008)
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.
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daz 7:08PM (3/18/2008)
I agree.
Torrent 1:08PM (3/18/2008)
I won't lie- the RL is looking better.
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Will 1:15PM (3/18/2008)
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?
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Stéphane Dumas 1:50PM (3/18/2008)
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 5:52PM (3/22/2008)
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 1:25PM (3/18/2008)
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.
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naggs 2:46PM (3/18/2008)
seriously, if they expect an acura to command M5 price, they are ridiculously optimistic
cameron42985 1:39PM (3/18/2008)
The first RL remains the best looking.
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jgp 2:06PM (3/18/2008)
No, the first _Legend_ remains the best-looking.
The RL has always been a disappointment.
Hung2 2:41PM (3/18/2008)
I'll believe it - when I see it!
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EJ 2:06PM (3/18/2008)
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.
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Temple 2:01PM (3/18/2008)
Being that Peter Lyons of Edmunds is also a contributer to BestCar magazine its not surprising that this rumor has crossed the pacific.
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Ford Wannup 2:41PM (3/18/2008)
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.
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