This is all taken from todays San Diego Union Tribune's "wheels" section.

Acura:

RSX - The RSX is getting a reskinning for the 2004 model year, folowed by a completely new body for 2006.

TSX - Acura will posisition this less-expensive sedan below the TL. Its most likely that the european "R" spec accord will be sold here under the Acura TSX moniker.

CL and TL - AWD will be offered for the 2004 Model year, and while keeping up with BMWs 3 series, it will get a BHP increase to 280.

Honda:

Fit/Jazz - Slightly bigger then the 80s era CRX this sub compact could arrive as early as 2005, honda execs in california are already driving them around town.

Civic - Because of sharp critisism that the civic is not drawing young buyers anymore honda is planning a complete restyling/redesign for the 2006 model year. Expect more performance and more agressive styling in both coupe/sedan and hatchback form.

Accord: Redesigned for 2003 the accord hers a nre i4 base engine that pts out 160 BHP and 161 lb-ft of torque (a factory honda that makes more torque then HP?! -joe) with the optional 3 liter 6 gets 240 BHP and 212 ft lbs. Honda admits to be trying to make the accord seem more like the Passat and Jetta and less like the Camry.

S2000 - The roadster is slater for a complete redesign for the 2005 model year with more agressive styling and more hp.

Stream - Hondas "mini minivan" (i thought that was the ep hatch? -joe) sold in japan for years will be comming to the us market as early as 2004.

Infiniti

G35 - With the demise of the G20 this becomes Infinitis entry level car. The sedan still has a 260 BHP but the coupe slated for november will get a 15 BHP increase.

I35 - The I35 is expected to switch to AWD for the 2004 model year.

M45 - The RWD M45 has the 340 BHP V8 in the Q45, but at a low(er) 40,000 price tag.

FX45 - This sleek sporty hatchback will feature AWD and a 300+ hp V8. The FX45 is slated to debut in spring.

LEXUS:

IS300 - The IS300 is rumored to have a 300+ BHP V8 under the hood by 2006.

Mazda

Miata - The current miata is expected to be completly redesigned for 2005/2006, and is expected to be based on the RX8 platform.

MX Sport Tourer - AWD sport waggon to take on the likes of the Audi Allroad and Subaru OutBack.

Mitsubishi:

Lancer EVO - AWD Turbocharged rally version of the Lancer. It debuts in 2004 with 265 BHP.

Eclipse - Completly redesigned for 2006. It is being co-designed between DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi.

Nissan:

AltimAr - The Nissan Altima willo be getting a Hp upgrade and a complete interior restyling for the 2005 model year.

MaximAr - The Nissan Maxima will be getting a complete body restyling as well as upgraded suspension and hp to put further ahead of the Altima.

350Z - A convertable version is slated for Feburary. By 2006 a 300+ Hp version based on the same engine will debut according to Nissan officials.

GT-R - The 4 passenger sport coupe is slater to be released for the 2006 model year. Price tag : est. $60,000

Full size pick-up - Nissan is slated to debut a Full size V8 powered pickup by 2004.

Subaru:

WRX - The high performance "STi" version is slater for a 2004 model year.

Toyota:

Matrix Rally - An AWD version of the 180 BHP 6 spd Toyota Matrix is slated to debut as a 2005 model.

Celica - Lackluster sales is prompting Toyota to redesign the Celica for the 2005 Model year.

 

AWD CL/TL???? suuure, we can hope, but i highly doubt it

 

280hp and AWD!!!

..........Sweeeet

 

Why do you say that?????? honda has slowly started to implement AWD system in it's cars and as you know once it's one honda it's likely to appear in every honda.

 

Now.. I see honda/Acura making the CLTL more interesting:

1) AWD
2) 280 HP... I asked for 300HP+ at we got 280HP it would NOT be faster than G35/z350 because of the added weight!... Whatever we gain by those 20 HP are lost by the added weight... Unless the premium model is 280 HP and the Type-S is 330 HP...
3) Can we have a 6-speed SMG, please!

 

what did i say? did I not say these exact specs???

either their quoting me... or like usual. i predicted right.

just ask jesal about doubting me.

 

nashua. honda's VTM-4 system weighs NOTHING... it will not add enough weight to negate a 20hp increase.

and its safe to assume that with these changes will come a totally different CL. you cannot start factoring in things like weight or even attempt to estimate what type of numbers it will run.


the added traction alone is enough to improve acceleration by a good bit.

 

 

Yeah, well all this interesting, but they didn't say anything about a ragtop!

 

Now let's just wait to see if this is fact or fiction...if it's fact then ...I would love to see AWD!

 

bad-ass news for acura! i sure hope the 04tl is out in march 03 like i have heard. awd is what im talking about! maybe i wont go to lexus after all...
btw: very weird i know but, i like my cls more now than when i got in a year ago. i dont even worry about the tranny anymore!

 

damnit, I bought an '03 for nothing AWD and that kinda power is impressive... I wish I had AWD now... crap crap crap...

 

I wonder what magic Acura will work to get their AWD cars to be segment leaders in mileage as well.

 

280 HP ??? :sqnteek: is that the best Honda could do? ...but AWD would be nice...while they're at it, they should shorten the CL's length by like 10 inches!!! I mean, the CL is supposed to be the sport coupe, but it's just as long as a TL...and we still don't have any room in the backseats!

 

we have huge backseats.

our backseats have more room then 4-door 3-series.


but yes i agree... front and rear overhangs should be lessened.

 

Hey, one thing you guys left out...HOW MUCH MORE WILL THIS COST?

 

I'm glad to see Honda addressing the problem with the Civic. The new Civic SI is a disgrace to the SI line. The Civic once the dream car for many teenage boys now reduced to the car for nerdy middle age losers.

 

It sure would suck if a TREE would “accidentally” fall on top of my 2003 CL the week after that AWD CL is released.

Shawn S

 

AWD would be sweet! We'll see what they can pull through then when the '04s come out...I assume in fall of '03?

 

nashua why would you want SMG??

 

maybe he plans on auto Xing with the AWD CL ???

 

Why would acura bring in the TSX

i mean the TL and CL are bigger accords

why bring in another one?

if you look at the prices for the TL and CL you could get one for about $26k non type S and non navi so the TSX has to be relatively cheaper say $22k with all options?

the TSX will compete with which car? accord? altima? camry?

dosent make sense to me????

if anything acura should have focused with the RL that car is suppose to compete against the lexus GS series but ill take the GS 300 over the RL. Also acura needs to compete against the LS 430 and Q 45....

i think acura has plenty of small sedans/coupes they need the bigger cars...

sidemarker

 

If the NSX, Acura's newly redesigned $90,000 supercar, is only 290hp...I have a hard time believeing they would push the CL Type-S to 280 or more. ...but then again, I've been wrong before. AWD would be nice but does Acura really need it?

My biggest questions is: What about styling? My #1 complaint about the CL is styling. Is Acura going to take a chance and give us something exhilerating to look at? I would buy the 2004 CL Type S in a heartbeat if it looked more like a sports car (RE: G35 coupe/350Z).

Any thoughts on that?

 

best of both world, you can leave the ECU shift for you or shift for yourself the only thing u lose is the left pedal for some it is crucial for me I would be happy with SMG!

 

i agree with the first statement. Also AWD??? has honda/acura made anything AWD before? we are talking about a baby jumping before he learns how to crawl. If anything acura needs to put out a RWD RWD RWD.

sidemarker

 

I guess the Comptech headers are going to be standard on the CL-S and TL-S <--- their 20 hp increase!

 

MDX & Pilot.

 

yes honda has made AWD before.

the MDX started it all with its VTM-4 system.


the VTM-4 system is the best AWD system on the market right now... in many respects.

the system was designed for a CAR even tho its being used in a "truck" if you can call the MDX that.

read up.

 

Adam, any thoughts on subura's vs. honda's awd system?

 

lets hope for that new 3.5L i-vtec v6 honda has...

 

RWD > AWD

I don't like AWD..it adds weight, results in understeer and adds weight

If honda has to switch platforms at all it should switch to RWD :o

 

besides the pilot mdx and crv honda had a 4 wheel drive civic a loong time ago! remember the one that looked like a mini van? i believe it was a late 80's model. honda knows what they are doing. whats the big deal with a 280hp cl? we have 260hp now and nsx has 290hp, not a very big difference. look at the rl's hp. nsx has been out since 1991 cmon. my friend at the dealer says we will see the 04 tl in march of 03. i just hope if the cl comes out with it, we get the s model right away. I CANT WAIT

 

Ahhhh c'mon, money is no object for most on this forum...

Afterall, don't most of us have Ferrari's, SL's, Porsches...etc, etc. as our second ride? :P

 

dont you guys know how to read? the VTM-4 does not suffer from the weight problem of traditional all wheel drive systems.

acura would be dumb to go rwd for two reasons:

1. it would alienate a hell of a lot of their market for the TL. the TL is WICKED popular up here where we get significant snow because of its FWD layout.

AWD allows them to appeal to those looking for safety and control... and those who are performance minded.


2. THEY ALREADY HAVE AN AWD SYSTEM WHICH COULD BE BOLTED ONTO A CL/TL TODAY! That system is VTM-4.

 

Hey! That's an idea! Has anyone done that yet? I was just thinkin' to myself that I'm glad I didn't trade in my 01 CL for a 6 speed now that AWD is a possibility. But, if I could upgrade my current ride, maybe there's no reason to trade in next year, either!

 

You're absolutely right soopa. Acura would be stupide to go RWD on their cars. Sure, RWD has better performance. But FWD is more stable in adverse conditions. As a Minnesotan, I have vowed never to own another RWD car as my primary transportation. And I know it would turn away many other potential buyers.

AWD is nice and I've heard good things about the VTM-4...but I just don't see Acura adding it to their cars anytime soon. I mean, look how long it took them to even add a MT to their coupe! Acura/Honda has never been one to break new ground...they just do what others have already done only better.

No one has an opinion on CL styling? Wierd.

 

Umm, really? What was the NSX when it was intoduced? Ummm oh yea thats right it was "ground breaking"...hmmm what abt the 120hp/L s2000?...and soon the weird looking element?


AWD would be the perfect complement 2 the acura line up....i.e.
Honda: FWD
Acura: AWD

Not a bad way 2 distinguish 2 brands if u ask me...My dad borrowed my friends 2003 Honda pilot EX-L this weekend and that truck is amazing, u guys would be suprised how easily it puts power 2 the ground despite its weight...The AWD system in hondas and acuras VTM-4 is actually very very advanced like Adam mentioned and is also amazing, as adam again reiterated, b/c it does not add weight 2 the car..why do u think the pilot and mdx get the best gas mileage in their respective field?

I really hope we get an AWD CL/TL, imagine how fucking deep dish/wide lip we could go w/the rims if we really want to


oh yea, newcartestdrive.com also said a snazzier new Cl is being redeisgned as we speak in their 2003 accord coupe review...IMO, the coupe market is getting bigger and bigger and Acura would be stupid 2 miss out i.e. 350Z,G35,330c,Rx-8 etc...the biggest mistake acura did was make the demographics 4 the Cl towards more of a older audience then a Tl and thus the "softer" styling

 

The NSX and S2000 are incredible cars. But I wouldn't classify them as groundbreaking. I would put that in the "doing what others did, only better". ...just an opinion I guess.
The Element? I'm still trying to figure out what that's all about. I've heard great things about it but um..."what the hell?"

I completely agree with what you said about the Pilot/MDX. And I agree with your Honda=FWD, Acura=AWD idea. It would definitely be great to see the VTM-4 in the CL...I just don't see Acura doing it, atleast not for a while.

As for the coupe market. I agree with you there too. I would love to see a pulse pounding coupe come out of Acura (for people who want something a little more serious than an RSX)

Thanks for the great reply.

 

Agreed... Acura would be fools to dump the CL with the current line of coupes on the market. While I doubt a RWD CL is in the future, I'm kind of skeptical the AWD rumors as well... Although, I guess if Acura were to leap into the AWD category in something other than a SUV, maybe the CL wouldn't the worst thing in the world to try with???

If Acura wants to compete in the coupe market, they're going to have to get rid of a FWD car... BMW, Nissan, Infinity... That's who is setting the coupe standard today. I wonder if Acura will step up to the plate?

 

Here here!