Sorry, Acura Dealers: V8, RWD reportedly dropped for "low-growth period"
2010 Acura ZDX – Click above for high-res image gallery
In the luxury segment, Acura has always been a bit of a lost puppy: Tempting to bring home and full of rewards to the owner who does, but never quite sure of where it is or where it's supposed to be. Over the past few years, Acura dealerships across North America – at the behest of Acura itself – have spent big bucks constructing glitzy new showrooms in anticipation of new products coming down the pipeline that would be capable of competing with other big luxury marques. But those heavily-invested franchises may find themselves holding their hats as the premium Honda division is changing its course again, and in the interim will be delaying significant model launches.
Part of the shift in strategy for Acura – which still markets exclusively in North America and China – is to put the final nail in the coffin for a rear-drive platform and V8 engines, two components seen as vital for going toe-to-toe with the European brands. Instead, Acura will reportedly focus on a more sensible approach to luxury vehicles during a "low-growth period" of new models, returning to the entry-level luxury segment to combat the likes of the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3, along with luxury hybrids. But it'll take the Japanese automaker a good few years to remake itself, and in the meantime sales are likely to continue declining as the TSX sport wagon (nee Honda Accord Tourer) and the new ZDX crossover (low-volume models both) hold down the fort as the only new arrivals in the pipeline.
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Acura ZDX
[Source: Automotive News – sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Glock23 2:02PM (11/02/2009)
Honda has never wanted to do a V8. This is no supprise.
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James Sonne 2:22PM (11/02/2009)
I can tell you why this will be a low growth period for Acura :-P
daleam 2:27PM (11/02/2009)
They need to drop that ugly-ass grille.
Sea Urchin 2:42PM (11/02/2009)
Love the grill, on pictures it is ugly, but in real life it is great on sedans
daleam 3:36PM (11/02/2009)
You must be one of the few who thinks that, Sea Urchin. I have seen it on sedans and it doesn't make a difference. The grille is ugly.
James Sonne 4:08PM (11/02/2009)
I think the grille really depends on color. On a black TSX, the grille looks horrid. Red is less garish, and silver makes the grille inconsequential. I cannot say that in any color I think the grille is a positive addition, however. I think it would look much better if it were simply an open space instead of a shiny thing.
I'm just amazed Honda/Acura have avoided the gaping maw look of so many other manufacturers this decade (VW/Audi, Mitsu, EuroFord) I liked it at first, but when every car started looking like it was going to eat small children, it got old.
TobyJC 5:16PM (11/02/2009)
I wouldnt say the grill specifically looks good, but overall I like the dsesign of the new TSX and TL.
When I see one on the road the grill doesnt really stand out at all. From what I gather average people dont seem to mind it either.
The RL is hidious though....
Josh 12:32AM (11/03/2009)
you must to be kidding me about the grille on TL being okay, right? The grille on TSX look okay to me, but the one on TL just look hideous...........
Spartan 2:03PM (11/02/2009)
Surprise, Surprise...
The idea of Honda and RWD will never materialize to anything significant, no matter how bad enthusiasts want it to.
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BoxerFanatic 2:07PM (11/02/2009)
Yeah, because NSX wasn't in the least bit significant, at all... and the S2000 was just a fluke.
They are actively turning away from RWD.
Spartan 2:12PM (11/02/2009)
If you want to split hairs, then no. The NSX nor the S2K were significant. Both were niche cars in their respective classes.
Nozferat 3:15PM (11/02/2009)
Yes and both the S2000 and NSX did what they were supposed to do extremely well. So what's your point?
Honda needs to focus on building 4's and alternative energy stuff. That's what it does best and better than anyone else.
Spartan 1:26AM (11/03/2009)
"Yes and both the S2000 and NSX did what they were supposed to do extremely well. So what's your point?
Honda needs to focus on building 4's and alternative energy stuff. That's what it does best and better than anyone else."
My point is that Honda and RWD will never amount to anything significant when it comes to their mainstream vehicles. If they did what they were supposed to do, I guess that was go for years without any significant updates, then be discontinued.
Honda needs to focus on what the consumer wants. That's what they "NEED" to do. Enthusiasts don't dictate what car companies should build, the average jane and joe do.
BoxerFanatic 2:05PM (11/02/2009)
Sorry, honda, without RWD or rear-biased AWD better than the down-graded SH-AWD in most of your products...
You've continued to keep yourself out of contention for people who know what driving dynamics means.
A V8 would have been nice, and actually been relevant against your competition.
All you are doing is guaranteeing a "low-growth period" for yourself. Hyundai is hungry... they'll eat your lunch for you, with the Genesis sedan, as will Infiniti with both G and M.
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zamafir 2:21PM (11/02/2009)
"All you are doing is guaranteeing a "low-growth period" for yourself."
Bravo sir. Acura's been dropping for the last couple years straight, before the entire industry ate it, with a few blips here and there. I can't think of another luxury automaker with a protracted half decade 'low-growth period'. I wonder... maybe the lack of any real punch in Acura's lineup may be causing and continuing that 'low-growth period'. Branding themselves as an asian volvo isn't helping matters either.
naggs 2:52PM (11/02/2009)
4 cyl tsx is a nice driving car
the rest feel like accords with leather
Franz 3:00PM (11/02/2009)
Pursuing V8s and RWD made more sense than developing the ZDX in my opinion. I personally know a lot of people who would trade up to a V8, rear drive RL, but I don't know anyone who'd buy a ZDX. I'm sure there are people who would, just nobody I know.
Nozferat 3:18PM (11/02/2009)
When they build some of the best FWD cars in the world, they don't need RWD cars and V8s.
Some of today's FWD cars will put RWD cars in their back pockets on certain roads and conditions. What the hell are you talking about? Just because you don't get those cars here doesn't mean they don't exist.
Honda will do just fine.
ChrisHS2000 6:47PM (11/02/2009)
naggs, you picked out the only actual car that IS an accord with leather to imply that it's not.
Bobmarley 2:05PM (11/02/2009)
no V8 is ok but no RWD is a bummer
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