It seems that 2010 will be an interesting year for RL competition. From my web scanning, I think all of the RL competitors are introducing improved or changed models, including the RL, Infiniti M, Lexus GS and BMW 5. It will be fun to see how the next gen compares to my 06 RL. At 42k miles I plan to replace sometime next year, but nothing currently is inspiring.

 

So that would be 2010 calendar year, which means a 2011 model year?

Do we know that the RL will be an FMC then? Or is it just rumors still?

 

I am hoping that the 3G RL comes out in 2011 MY as well...it'll be interesting to see what Acura does given poor sales of the first two gens. V8/RWD options would be a great place to start. Maybe a diesel or hybrid? Base V6 of course. And if they use the schnoz, they'd better integrate it better, like in the TSX, whose design I really like.

We'll see in about a year what Acura's got up its sleeve....

 

I agree the TSX looks the best of the Acura sedans, the grill is chromed more and does not extend up into the hood. The TL is the worst of the 3, with cheap "satin" chrome look including the leading edge of the hood. I'll go for a DI twin turbo like in the 535 and even the new Taurus SHO. Low end punch with the high torque would be great. It is a FORD, but 65 more hp, rear biased AWD, and better MPG, makes the new FORD engine pretty appealing. Acura makes some of the best V6 ever, but new DOHC, small twin turbo and direct injection seems to be the new way to get the most performance and MPG. lets not even go into trannys!!!

 

I wonder what Acura has in store for the 2009 NY international auto show. Got an email about a new model that Acura will be introducing. All secretive of course. They are hyping it up by showing only sillouettes etc. For all I know it could be a hybrid. We'll see.

 

I read some where that the 3G RL will have a V8 option with 450+ hp to bring NSX fans back to Acura. And, like the new Honda Pilot, will shut off some pistons to save gas for short, city driving. I don't think they will offer a RWD option as their SH-AWD has been very successful, but you never know. I just can't wait to see it!

 

NY auto show expect another sedan/sport crossover, similar tio the X6. Go to Acuranews.com for a sneak peak. I think it is called the MSX. I wish manufacturers would stick to cars and trucks or even regular crossovers that look like trucks, and have practicality like mdx/pilot. the new wave of sporty crossovers like the x6 serve no purpose in my opinion. It is great that engineers can make a 2.5 ton high center of gravity vehicle with no storage handle like a sports car, but why? Heck I can't even get my small toro snowblower in my 08 MDX without taking the shoot off, (I was able to do this with the 05 MDX though) since they made the rear hatch opening smaller.

 

Looking at the RL's sales history & sales of the TL I would not exactly call shawd a succcess.

 

Go to the Acura.com site Future Vehicles, and also look on the current acuranews.com and you will see dark mysterious looking profiles of the so called MSX sport cross over utility vehicle which is supposed to be an Inifiniti FX or BMW X6 fighter...talk about niche markets! It also looks like it has no rear headroom.

I expect it will be another 3.7L V-6 SH-AWD vehicle, with more storage space than the sedan. Rumor has it that the MSX may be the launch vehicle for a new 6 speed transmission (finally). Do you think they will ever add DI to the Honda engine line?

 

I was referring to the good performance and great reviews of the SH-AWD, rather than weak sale levels.

 

I saw that somewhere, too, but it was before the economic meltdown. A more recent article says Acura rear wheel drive is dead.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/a...crz/index.html

and then prior to the article above being written, there was this which says no V-8 until 2015.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightlin...ntil-2015.html

Given Honda's limited resources and conservative engineering style, 2015 is an eternity, but kind of fits in with their behavior of not trying anything to out of the box...and look at the TL styling to see what happens when they do.

 

Actually, Honda is anything but a small company, it is 2nd in Japan only to big Toyota of course, and is way larger and with deeper pockets compared to BMW, Daimler, Nissan, PSA, Porsche, Mazda, Renault, etc. In fact nobody makes more engines than Honda in the entire world. They can easily make a killer car. The problem is as you said, they are too conservative and their omnipresent Honda philosophy doesn't necessarily help its luxury division.

 

I agree with Bob and repeat what I have said numerous times, in order to be relevant the RL needs to offer a rwd variant.

 

+2 on this. Unfortunately, with the 4G TL, they thought WAY too far out of the box stylewise. The Cadillac Edge philosophy has matured far better over the years. The CTS is a stunner in person--you don't appreciate it until you see it in person.

For the next RL, Acura needs to use a different focus group(s) for their design, so they can be edgy.....yet pleasantly so. I don't see how the TL survived.

 

My only problem with the CTS is the rear end looks like the back side of older larger Caddys.

 

I just noticed that NEW Acura model they're introducing at the NY auto show sometime in April... I dunnoo... All I can see is the car in shadows, but it'll be interesting to finally see in a couple weeks. It'll also be interesting to see if they fixed the front power plenum grille to look better, since they prob aren't getting rid of it, yet.

I want my jaw to hit the floor when I see my e-mail box from Acura say "2011 RL" and I see the first pictures of it....

 

It will be introduced on 4/8/09 at 11:00 am. The Acura ZDX luxury four door sport coupe. Go figure...

On sale in the fall....

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/10/s...spotted-again/

 

I thought the ZDX is a crossover. I got an email about it a couple weeks ago.

 

I forgot to add in this link before i go locked out. I think it will be a crossover of some kind. What the heck is a 4 door sports coupe?

http://www.hondanews.com/categories/793/releases/4969

 

Judging by the name ending with an "X" and the leaked pic in the link, it looks like it is a crossover.

 

That new Acura, as noted above, appears to have rear headroom designed for Billy Barty.

 

I don't think this is going to be a crossover. Think CLS550 with SH-AWD.

 

If that thing in the spy picture is the new car, it looks absolutely atrocious. It looks bulky with a weird shaped back. It takes the new design to a new low. The already Fed up with the TL and RL. Acura is going down the crapper in terms of design.

----------------
Listening to: Massive Attack - Black Milk
via FoxyTunes

 

Acura has EVERYTHING riding on the 3G RL.. at least with me, and probably many other loyal Acura enthusiasts. I can't believe it's getting this embarassing... The good news is I will be able to break my Acura addiction VERY easily if this keeps up. All my hopes are riding on the 3G RL, lol.

 

The new vehicle about to be released at the NY Auto show may in fact be this one that we saw a picture of some time ago. An informed source at Acura tells me to expect a lot of technology, luxury and a 60 k price. Can't wait for its april 8th debut at the NY show.

 

^^^

Wow that looks very nice...will it be the 3G RL or a brand new model?

 

Brand new model, not an RL, more along the lines of an X6 or something. See the spyshots in #18

 

Well, if you guys are talking about an X6 fighter, that definitely is not it.

In fact, that looks very much like my RL except the wheels are a bit shinier.

Compare for your self.

 

That pic is an old rendering of a rumored 3G RL. If the actual 3G RL looks anything remotely like that, I'll be an Acura owner again.

 

Would you be willing to go down from 550+hp to 300+hp?

Thats the tough question!

 

We'll find out in 2011 or 2012.

 

Is it just me or does that version of the "power plenum"/shield grill look great?! If they did that for the next RL then they should silence the negative comments about the look of the front end. The current implementation, in my opinion, just is too high and leaves to big an opening below it, which makes it look somewhat off.

 

If Acura went with the rendering of the 3G RL design shown above, I would probably purchase one for my next vehicle. That design would bring in new Acura customers and probably save a horde of current owners who are ready to bail after seeing the MMC design.

 

Honestly I think the power plenum needs to go away or be radically modified. The vehicle needs more angular lines, a RWD version should be offered, some of the cool technology offered in Japan like the front corner bumper cameras should be offered, good leases, and a high performance version, too.

The vehicle pictured above is pretty good looking although it resembles a TL too much. Some BMW/Mercedes front end styling such as underbody spoilers would be welcome.

Honda can only have so many irons in the fire so I don't expect it to happen.

 

am I the only one who notices that that's an exact copy of the 09 with fogs removed?

 

Yep.

 

Maybe you're the only one who can't see that it isn't an exact copy. Start with the grille on the rendition. Much more conservative.

 

it's missing CMBS sensor...that's it

 

It's nowhere close to an exact copy of the 09 RL. The body lines aren't the same, the grille is completely different, the hood line is symmetrical with the fenders, etc., etc......

 

I would own that car for many, many years. Here's hoping Acura goes with what the customer wants...