Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sorry, Acura Dealers: V8, RWD reportedly dropped for "low-growth period"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/sorry-acura-dealers-v8-rwd-dropped-for-low-growth-period/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/sorry-acura-dealers-v8-rwd-dropped-for-low-growth-period/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/sorry-acura-dealers-v8-rwd-dropped-for-low-growth-period/#commentsFiled under: ,


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]

Sorry, Acura Dealers: V8, RWD reportedly dropped for "low-growth period" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuraacura dealersacura dealershipacura rear-driveacura tsxacura tsx sport wagonacura v8acura zdxAcuraDealersAcuraDealershipAcuraRear-driveAcuraTsxAcuraTsxSportWagonAcuraV8AcuraZdxamerican hondaAmericanHondahondarear-driverear-drive acuraRear-driveAcurarwd acuraRwdAcuratsxtsx sport wagonTsxSportWagonv8 acuraV8AcurazdxMon, 02 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Who to believe? Internal email claims Acura RWD V8 program still alive]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/who-to-believe-internal-email-claims-acura-rwd-v8-program-still/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/who-to-believe-internal-email-claims-acura-rwd-v8-program-still/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/who-to-believe-internal-email-claims-acura-rwd-v8-program-still/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Earlier this week, Autocar reported that future high-end Acura models had been canceled. As it turns out, those rumors were more than a bit premature, as Jeff Conrad, Vice President of Acura, has informed his dealers via email that the long-awaited "Tier 1" program is moving forward on schedule. It's believed that the program is based around the large rear-wheel drive Acura that would go up against the best Germany has to offer. Also back on the table is a V8 engine to power this range-topping sedan from Honda. But it's not all good news for auto enthusiasts. Still dead, sadly, is the NSX revival. We're also unaware of a planned replacement for the soul-stirring S2000 roadster or a drop-top version of the upcoming CR-Z hatchback. Oh well, you can't win 'em all. Thanks for the tip, Nick!

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

Who to believe? Internal email claims Acura RWD V8 program still alive originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuraacura tier 1acura v8acura v8 engineAcuraTier1AcuraV8AcuraV8Enginehonda v8honda v8 engineHondaV8HondaV8EngineFri, 09 Jan 2009 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda V8 coming... in 2015]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/28/honda-v8-coming-in-2015/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/28/honda-v8-coming-in-2015/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/28/honda-v8-coming-in-2015/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



"You've got to have the right tool for the job." "You can't bring a knife to a gun-fight." Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. We've heard it all before. Honda makes some excellent engines, there's no doubt about that, from small displacement four-pots that rev through the roof to gloriously smooth and reliable V6 units. Unfortunately, the fun stops there, as the Japanese automaker has steadfastly stuck to its guns, not building an eight-cylinder engine when it can do just as well with fewer pistons.

Regardless of how competent its six may be, nearly all of Honda's competitors offer V8 engines in their top-level models, and Acura fanatics have been begging for a range-topper to compete with the likes of Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz for years. They may soon get their wish, as Honda's CEO Takeo Fukui has stated once and for all that Acura will indeed be getting an eight for its next top-level sedan.

What good is a beefy engine if you can't get the power to the ground? A big, heavy V8 engine over the front tires is a recipe for a horribly unbalanced front-driver, and Honda realizes this. So expect the aforementioned sedan to get rear-wheel-drive to go along with its newfound infusion of displacement. When? Not until 2015 according to some industry sources. That's a veritable eternity in the auto biz, so we have to wonder if Fukui has let the cat out of the bag a bit prematurely.

[Source: Auto Observer]

Honda V8 coming... in 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acura v8acura v8 engineAcuraV8AcuraV8Enginehonda v8honda v8 engineHondaV8HondaV8Enginerear wheel drive acuraRearWheelDriveAcurarwd acuraRwdAcuraFri, 28 Nov 2008 16:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Acura finally caves to the Magic 8 Ball]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/19/acura-finally-caves-to-the-magic-8-ball/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/19/acura-finally-caves-to-the-magic-8-ball/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/19/acura-finally-caves-to-the-magic-8-ball/#commentsFiled under: ,

Honda's engines have always been a bit special. Not Mazda rotary, miller-cycle or tiny V6 special, but a bit off the beaten path and resistant to market trends. For decades the Japanese automaker insisted on making engines that rotate the opposite direction than the rest of the industry (in line with its motorcycle roots), and took what seemed like an eternity to go back on its founders aversions to any more than four cylinders. Well, as anyone who's stepped into an Acura dealership knows, a V6 still doesn't cut it when you're trying to lure customers away from the likes of Lexus and BMW. And the new TL may have the company's most powerful V6 to date, but even in today's socio-economic climate, luxury consumers still want V8 muscle. Reports now indicate that Honda is ready to cough it up.

The confirmation reportedly comes straight from Honda CEO Takeo Fukui, who says that a V8 engine will be earmarked towards the company's luxury brand Acura. No official word on where the eight-cylinder engine will land, but we can expect it to find its way into the engine bay of the top-of-the-line RL and probably an SUV, as well. Fukui reportedly promises his V8 will be highly efficient, but while we won't expect it to rotate in the opposite direction, it promises to plug the gap between the company's existing V6s and the V10 in the highly anticipated successor to the NSX.

[Source: All Cars, All the Time]

Acura finally caves to the Magic 8 Ball originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuraacura v8AcuraV8hondahonda v8HondaV8Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumors continue to mount for Acura RL with V8, RWD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/18/rumors-continue-to-mount-for-acura-rl-with-v8-rwd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/18/rumors-continue-to-mount-for-acura-rl-with-v8-rwd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/18/rumors-continue-to-mount-for-acura-rl-with-v8-rwd/#commentsFiled under: ,

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]

Rumors continue to mount for Acura RL with V8, RWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuraacura rear wheel driveacura rlacura rwdacura v8AcuraRearWheelDriveAcuraRlAcuraRwdAcuraV8Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:31:00 EST