Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #137

Dan Roth — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Hybrid, Etc., Acura, Audi, Cadillac, GM, Honda, Jaguar, Lexus, Porsche, Volkswagen, Diesel

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Episode #137 of the Autoblog Podcast has arrived. Chris, Sam, and Dan are back, chewing the fat over the Acura ZDX, Death Valley spy shots of the Jaguar XJ, what will underpin Cadillac's new flagship model, Electric Lexus pricing, the ongoing Volkswagen/Porsche soap opera, and Honda's swearing off of V8s and RWD. Wrap it all up nice and tidy with some of your questions, and 82 minutes later, you're done. We apologize for the poor audio quality on Dan's track for some of this week's podcast. It only lasts through the end of the Autoblog Garage segment, and then we're back to full-fidelity. Getting a show out to you quickly was important to us, so we went with what we had. 23 minutes in is the magic point where the audio clears up. Let us know what you think, drop us a line at Podcast at Autoblog dot com. Thanks to all who have taken the time to fill out our survey; hit the jump to listen or subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast. If you like what we're doing, check out some of our sister blog podcasts like Engadget and Joystiq - you can never have enough listening material!

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Autoblog Podcast #137 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who to believe? Internal email claims Acura RWD V8 program still alive

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Acura, Rumormill

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.

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Honda reportedly kills S2000 replacement, V8 program, RWD Acuras

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Acura, Honda

Honda's attempt to right-size its development schedule and cope with the economic downturn apparently extends beyond the cancellation of the next NSX. According to Autocar, HoMoCo is right-sizing its plans for the next two years, and that includes rethinking the development of a range of rear-wheel-drive Acuras, a new V8, a convertible based on the CR-Z and the S2000's successor.

Acura seems to be carrying the weight of the bad news, with its RWD 7-series rival, originally due out in 2015, cancelled indefinitely, along with development of a V8 engine that would allow the brand to compete with the best and brightest from Germany. The Euro-market Legend could also be on the block and there's a chance that Honda will stop developing two separate Accord models for sale in the U.S. and abroad, instead opting for one mid-size sedan to be sold worldwide.

Unfortunately, the development cease-fire also extends to Honda's smaller offerings. Honda planned to release a drop-top version of its CR-Z after the hybrid goes on sale next year, but that model has been nixed. Even more disturbingly, 2009 will be the last year of production for the S2000, with no heir apparent waiting in the wings.

We're hoping to get more details on the cut-backs as the week progresses, but needless to say, there's more than enough disappointment to go around.

[Source: Autocar]

Honda reportedly kills S2000 replacement, V8 program, RWD Acuras originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda V8 coming... in 2015

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, I.C.E., Acura, Honda

"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.

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Acura finally caves to the Magic 8 Ball

Noah Joseph — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:47:00 EST

Filed under: Acura, Honda

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.

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