Jamesgt727

Hey guys, I just went down to my Acura Dealer and initiated a waiting list for the restyled 2010 Acura RL with the V-8. I have bought every car since 1990 from this auto group and get preferential treatment! Does any one know anything about it other than the projected price of $ 70K+?

I spoke with the dealership owner and my longtime sales representative and they were aware that it was coming, but had no details other than a release in, possibly, late 2009 as a 2010 model. They are anticipating a synchronized launch with the upcoming NSX replacement.



Please let me know cause I am getting one.

UW RL

The HONDA CEO just announced the cancellation of the next NSX project and it is rumored that it will also cancel the investment for the V8 engines. Thanks.

neuronbob

Actually, Acura sent a letter to dealerships saying the V8 project was still on.

Scroll to post #29 in this thread....
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-2005-2012-76/rumor-honda-cutting-acura-rwd-v8-programs-703973/

Ballinger

All I've heard is AWD-SH-3, 20" wheels, 640hp, 32mpg and hemp-based artificial wool carpeting.

Some of this may be untrue.

470hpGS400

iTrader: (1)

Make it a sticky to prevent more of the same threads from popping up.

Jamesgt727

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...oft:*%26sa%3DN

see link, it sure looks big, rear-drive and V-8ish to me...

Jamesgt727

BTW did you notice what is the primary engine run in the INDY racing League? Honda V-8's....By the displacement of all other manufacturers in 2003, I would say that the development of the Honda V-8 is at the top of the industry, they just have to put it into a street car.
http://www.indycar.com/tech/engines.php

Blazing GT

too bad i wont afford it.

afjock21

I hope that RL is on its' way. That'd be siiiiiiick! Maybe I will stay with Acura after all.. But I figured they can't get worse than what they have for new models right now, y'know, ugly grille and such.

470hpGS400

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure the grille treatment will get toned out a bit. Seems to be a universal disliking for it. Almost looks like Giant Robot from Johnny Sako.

DasTeknoViking

I wouldn't hold my breath, we where told that Honda is going to keep it conservative and stay with the V6s.

valeratj

me likes !

TSX69

Japan's Auto Industry Reeling, Shelving Acura V8 Sedan, Toyota-Subaru Sports Car

Date posted: 01-16-2009

TOKYO — Remember the shocking news in December that the worsening financial crisis had forced Honda to withdraw from F1 and shelve its long-anticipated V10-powered NSX supercar? That, it turns out, is just the tip of the iceberg for Japan's ailing carmakers. Inside Line's source in Japan says that just about every manufacturer is either canceling new-model projects or putting them on hold until market conditions improve.

One of the most anticipated collaborations of recent years was the joint R&D venture between Toyota and Subaru to build a new lightweight, cheap rear-wheel-drive sports car based on the Impreza's platform and drivetrain. That project has now been postponed for at least a year, with a new launch date to be expected no earlier than late 2012.

Nissan's rear-wheel-drive Nissan 200SX/Silvia replacement was one of the first future models to be axed — a car that was being built on a common platform shared with an upcoming hybrid sedan.

Another much anticipated makeover was the all-new V8-powered 4WD Honda Legend, currently under development in Japan. Or should we say, previously under development. As Honda's (Acura's) first V8-powered sedan, it was expected to do battle in the U.S. with Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes and Lexus. According to our source, that won't happen now.

First shown at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show, the Daihatsu OFC-1 concept was destined to become the next-generation Copen, with at least two prototypes in existence. That plan has now been shelved, too.

And in the Mitsubishi lineup, the next-generation Pajero and Eclipse have also fallen on hard times and can expect a delay of at least two years from the planned 2010 debuts.

Inside Line says: Major product cuts and delays are not limited to the U.S. auto industry. — Peter Lyon, Correspondent

static808

lets hope this is just a rumor and not reality.

neuronbob

Man, you guys have short memories.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...0&postcount=29

From just eleven short days ago. The non-cancellation letter has since been proven true. Jeff at TOV FTW!

TSX69

I am not surprised in the least about the v8. It took them this long to get around to making 1 & w/ the market the way it is, I cannot fault them for putting it on hold.

1 thing that the article does not mention, however, is RWD. Hopefully that means it is still being developed. I highly doubt that Acura will make the next generation RL another v6/SH-AWD only model.

They can follow the other luxury brands & turbo the v6 but SH-AWD can only substitute RWD for so long ...

afjock21

^ don't need that RWD up here in New England, thank you very much.

neuronbob

But the idea is to have RWD as an option for those who feel that RWD is a requirement for a Tier 1 luxury car. SH-AWD could still be produced for those of us in snowy regions.

valeratj

^ I think there is nothing wrong with offering both AWD and RWD. BMW has done it to 3 and 5 series. Lexus has done it to IS and GS models. I wish they offered RWD for TSX as well

neuronbob

RWD + 6MT + TSX= dream small luxury sedan. Man that car is tossable in FWD form, imagine how fun it would be with RWD.

jhr3uva90

If there is going to be a new RL/Legend for the 2010 model year, wouldn't it be debuting at an auto show very soon? I remember the prototype for the current generation RL/Legend came out either winter or early spring of 2004.

Chas2

IF it were to come out, my understanding, all pre-financial crisis, that the debut would be late 2010 as a 2011 model. Maybe I am wrong, but that is what I thought I remembered reading.

I have read more than one article now that says no V8 anytime soon.

db22

Bob, I don't think that SH-AWD is only for snowy climates. I live in Southern California and think that the AWD is great in the rain and is great on dry roads too. I still get surprised by the system in all conditions. It's a great feature and I would not buy a RWD if AWD was available. Numerous others are coming out with torque vectoring AWD and ALL Suburus are AWD and they don't only make those for snowy climes.

Rob L

Yeah agreed.

Seeing as AWD is appearing more and more on supercars, I would say it is pretty easy to see that it isn't just for snow or even rain. See the GT-R, Lambo models, Audi R8, Porche 911 turbo, etc. Something all these cars have in common is they kick ass in handling.

AWD just makes the most sense for handling if done correctly so the RL should keep it but could maybe make it RWD biased like the above models are..

ssim3

ACura needs RWD look at the sales numbers for E, 5, GS & M the RWD greatly outsell awd. If they want a car that sells decent numbers they had better offer a rwd option. It is cheaper to build, lighter, less things to break & more fuel efficient.

neuronbob

I understand that SH-AWD isn't just for snowy climes, and that it makes a great difference in dry weather as well. All I'm saying is that the great unwashed don't understand that, and there are a lot of RWD whores, and that's why RWD needs to be an option along with SH-AWD. Acura also needs to, and they are finally, telling people what SH-AWD is about. Torque vectoring the way Honda created is being copied by other manufacturers, as you state, and if Honda/Acura doesn't get its act together, its lunch will be stolen from right under its nose. Especially by BMW.

I'd buy SH-AWD again in a heartbeat....I've got my RWD sports car, so I don't have to worry, and the idea behind the tech is really cool.

TSX69

Report of Acura's Death Greatly Exaggerated Says Exec

American Honda Motor Co. Inc.’s Acura near-luxury brand will launch an all-new model in 2009, a top U.S. Honda official says.

“We’ve got a new product (coming) later this fall dealers don’t (currently) sell,” John Mendel, executive vice president-Automobile Operations Div. for American Honda, tells media during a recent roundtable interview at the North American International Auto Show here.

Mendel doesn’t divulge what type of vehicle the model is, but John Watts, manager-Acura product planning, told Ward’s last February the brand was studying the introduction of a third cross/utility vehicle geared toward Baby Boomers. A camouflaged CUV, reported to be an Acura, has been photographed several times in the last six months undergoing testing in the U.S. and overseas.

The Acura lineup currently includes two CUVs: the small RDX, introduced in 2006, and the midsize MDX, fully redesigned in 2006.

Mendel no doubt hopes the new product launch will quiet online bloggers, who have been speculating in recent weeks the Acura brand is in dire straits.

“The only thing that was announced was the NSX (supercar) was canceled, and that we delayed the opening of the Yorii plant in (Saitama prefecture,) Japan,” Mendel says.

“So from that have popped up stories that the whole Acura lineup is canceled; Acura is on the ropes; it’s going to be cut; everything’s delayed; everything is gone,” he says of the rumors.

With the sudden, violent collapse of new-car sales last year continuing into 2009, and product and technology delays or cancellations at Acura, the Internet rumor mill has been buzzing with talk of the future viability of the brand, whose sales declined 19.8% in the U.S. in 2008 to 144,504 units, Ward’s data shows.

Once Honda Motor Co. Ltd. CEO Takeo Fukui announced last month the launch of the Acura brand in Japan would be delayed indefinitely and the next-generation NSX with a V-10 engine had been shelved, speculation emerged that other plans to take Acura to luxury status were in jeopardy.

Those efforts included a V-8 engine and an expected-but-not-confirmed rear-wheel-drive platform, both of which would give Acura parity with its luxury competition such as Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus brand and BMW AG.

But Mendel says when Fukui in October announced work was under way on Honda’s first production V-8, he never put a timetable on its introduction.

“We’ve built V-8s (for auto-racing applications). We’ve got V-8s. I’ve driven the V-8s,” he says. “We just haven’t yet named a date when we’re going to bring them in (for mass-production).”

Still, Mendel acknowledges the slowdown in auto sales, as well as the resulting need to conserve cash on the part of all auto makers. He says Acura is contemplating a possible delay in launching the next-generation flagship RL sedan to 2012 from mid-2011.

The RL was last all-new in late 2004 as an ’05 model. A mid-cycle change that added Acura’s now-signature “power plenum” grille happened in model-year ’09.

Speculation of trouble at Acura has been so strong that both Mendel and **** Colliver, executive vice president-automobile sales, personally have called nervous dealers to calm their fears.

“**** and I have been on the phone with numerous dealers (and) the dealer council, saying, ‘Separate the fact from the speculation,’” Mendel says.

Acura loyalists, who may be getting weary after failed or delayed promises from the brand, should hang on a little longer.

“To set the record straight on Acura, we’re still dedicated to taking Acura to Tier 1 (luxury status), “ Mendel says. “That hasn’t changed. We have a very robust product plan for the Acura lineup and that continues to be the case. (It is) a broad range of products and powertrains and everything else. So bloggers be damned.”

Mendel is quick to say he doesn’t discount the opinions of some of Acura’s most fervent fans. But after years of threats to leave the brand, they’re still hanging on.

The people who are vowing to abandon Acura now are “the same guys who were going to (Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.’s) Infiniti because we didn’t put a V-6 in the TSX (midsize sedan), and when we dropped the RSX (compact coupe in 2006),” he says.

afjock21

I can't wait to pick up a SICK! 2012 Acura (Advance) RL and have so much fun with her before Doomsday happens.. I think it's Dec. 21st.

470hpGS400

iTrader: (1)

Yep, don't even have to worry bout them payments!

Mansa24

Source?

neuronbob

*whine* But I wanna V8 NOW. Sorry, couldn't resist, was thinking of my 2-year-old.

dwboston

I love the line in there stating that they aren't worried about the brand loyalists leaving because they didn't leave over the TSX and the RSX. Colliver and the boys are nothing if not arrogant.

LARAIDER

I drove an MDX for years and switched to a Toyota Sequoia because I wanted a V8 for towing power. I hated to switch but there was not an option or a Honda/Acura V8.

highlymotivated

All I can say is "WOW". If the 2010 RL looks anything close to that... sign me up!

037

I got pulled over doing 90 into a steeply rounded highway merge. Cop asked me "did you think I won't stop you after you blew my doors off?"

I noticed he only had a camera in the car and no radar. I was nice to em. Let me go after a breathalyzer...

Who needs a V8 when a V6 gets you into enough trouble already...

afjock21

Cop sounds funny... Any ticket or anything? And geeeez 037.. What kinda mpg do you get goin 90 mergin onto the highway.. ... You're right, the V8 RL is gonna be downright dangerous cop wise.

037

no ticket, cop had nothing on me besides the mild scare I gave him. I didn't go into the whole SH-AWD + Pilot Sport A/S making it safe thing.

MPG...judging by all the comments on this forum, nobody is getting anything too great so I might as well enjoy the car as is.

My Escort 8500 X50 Blue is being repaired and I am starved for speed in the past month. The one time I decided nobody would notice me going fast on a turning merge...that's when they stop me, DOH!

GoHawks

They better be careful. I know that this is heresy here, but if the domestics can survive the current economic situation, I think they may be on the right track. A co-worker of mine let me drive her new MKS. It was a lower level trim model so it didn't have all the gadgets (although hardly "base"), and it was the FWD model.

It felt underpowered compared to the RL so I can't imagine how the AWD version feels, but I will say one thing. Ford has come a LONG way with fit and finish. It's a big car, but didn't feel "floaty". A decent touring car.

THe key will be how it holds up over time.

If they end putting a more powerful engine in this car and it holds up from a reliability standpoint, it might be a car I look at when it comes time to get out of my RL in a few years.

The CTS still turns my head, and has anyone seen the 2010 Buick Lacrosse? Yeah I know it's a Buick, but it is really sharp. I saw a couple of test mules on the roads here in SE Michigan and I am seriously impressed. They have shamelessly copied the Lexus GS, but I like it.

Acura has no room to be arrogant or complacent.

Pictures ofthe Lacrosse.

neuronbob

That does look good.

I'm still a CTS-V guy, though. I'm not looking to trade right now, but if I were, the CTS-V would be the one....or even the Pontiac G8 GXP. I personally hope that GM survives, and if they continue to make enthusiast products this this, and appealing products for the masses, I think they will.

TSX69

MotorAuthority quotes Acura as stating almost every vehicle in their lineup will be updated in 2010. My guess is a manual for the TL, v6 for the TSX & MMC for RDX & MDX. Since they said almost every, my guess is that the RL is unchanged next year.