Autoblog

Report: Honda to kill off Acura RL/Legend globally, discontinue gas Civic models in Japan [*UPDATE]

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Japan, Acura, Honda, Luxury

2010 Acura RL - Click above for high-res image gallery

Word coming from Japan's Nikkei business daily (as reported by Reuters) indicates that Honda has finally decided to discontinue the slow selling Acura RL and its Japanese market counterpart, the Honda Legend.

Ostensibly the flagship of Acura's brand here in North America, the RL has been a slow-seller for quite some time, upstaged in part by the company's less-expensive, higher-volume TL sedan. For some years now, the TL has offered more space, similar tech and even more power (in the Type S model), making the RL a particularly tough sell for dealers. Through the first half of this year, only 872 RLs have been sold in the United States.

Another production change reported by the Nikke that would only affect the Japanese market is the discontinuation of conventional gasoline versions of the Civic. If accurate, that would mean that from now until at least until the next-generation Civic arrives in the Fall of 2011, Honda will only sell the Civic hybrid in its home market.

In addition, the JDM Elysion minivan is also apparently set to get the axe.

Autoblog reached out to Honda for comment on the Nikkei story, and spokesman Chuck Schifsky would only say that the automaker does not comment on future product plans, noting that no official announcement has been made about the fate of the RL/Legend, the JDM Civic or the Elysion. Top tip, Joaquin!

UPDATE: Acura has released a statement saying that RL will continue to be the brand's flagship model and it's in no danger of being euthanized.

Gallery: 2010 Acura RL

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Honda to kill off Acura RL/Legend globally, discontinue gas Civic models in Japan [*UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda takes this whole dog thing very seriously

Alex Nunez — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Coupe, Minivan/Van, Truck, Etc., Japan, Hatchback, Honda

Hondas with dogs - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda Japan's oddly compelling and inherently fascinating Honda Dog website includes useful consumer tidbits such as a visual guide to how well your poodle will fit in the CR-Z's front passenger seat. (Before you start yelling how it's the only passenger seat, know that in Japan, the CR-Z is a 2+2.)

That's not all, however. There's stuff to entertain as well, including a whole page of desktop wallpapers featuring Hondas with various dogs that you can find below. Seriously. Vintage stuff, too. Civic RS with a Corgi? Prelude with a Doberman? All present and accounted for. Check out a few samples in the gallery below, and head to the Honda Dog wallpaper site for even larger sizes.

Gallery: Hondas with Dogs

[Source: Honda Dog]

Honda takes this whole dog thing very seriously originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Legend facelift leaks out

Dan Roth — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: Acura, Honda, Misc. Auto Shows

Acura rolled out the 2009 RL at the Chicago Auto Show, so the appearance of the Honda version of the car, badged Legend, isn't the most searingly-hot news. What is frightfully obvious when you set eyes on the Legend is that the Honda version looks about a billion times better without the shield-style grille that afflicts the Acura in the most tacked-on fashion. Equally puzzling - and not a recent development - is why Honda trashed the established and respected Legend name for the anonymous and innocuous RL for Acura's top-tier sedan.

Competition in the RL's segment is brutal, and the same criticisms of the current model apply to its replacement. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the RL, mind you, it's nicely styled, and well appointed - although when faced with the preponderance of rear-driving V8 competitors, the RL can't claim superiority by chassis layout alone. Packing the 3.5-liter V6 that yanks the Accord around with authority, there's no need for a V8, nor is RWD a necessity with Acura's chassis wizards on the job, but buyers might remain unmoved.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Legend

[Source: Car Fanatic via World Car Fans]

Honda Legend facelift leaks out originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 May 2008 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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