That is utterly absurd, what are they thinkin'?

 

It appears they are thinking about the next RL. They seem to be content with letting the TL be the top model until then.

 

I personally don’t understand, what is the reason to put in a car these days so small capacity HDDs?? Infinity offers 30GB for Nav and 10GB for Music. 30GB is too much space even for maps of the whole world, but 10 GB is no way enough for holding music. BMW is also offering, if I remember correctly, 30 GB HDD. Why not something bigger? Is it reliability question or something else?

 

Just looked at bimmer's new fiver specs - "massive" 12GB HDD offered as optional.

 

I didn't even know hard drives came in 30gb anymore.. They must still be thinking back in the day when 100gb or so would look like this...

 

^^

 

This is completely subjective to your personal thinking. Acura still lists the RL as the flagship model. And a HDD feature alone does not trump that.

Perhaps your considering purchasing a SHAWD TL is skewing / affirming your need for the TL to be the 'top model'. If it appeals to you personally, so be it, buy it and enjoy it. But a sweeping statement as above is simply false.

 

Wow, it was just a comment, more of an opinion than a statement of fact. My consideration of a TL has nothing to do with it but more so the information, albeit non official, that Acura is still struggling with their direction. And part of that direction is where to take the RL.

 

Ahh, the good 'ol days...you youngsters don't know how good you've got it! The magnet alone weighed 90 lbs. LMAO

 

Keep in mind these hard drives have to last for years in widely different temperatures as well as resist shock.

Therefore a 30 GB model is going to cost significantly more than an equivalent unit you'd plug into a desktop.

 

It's not cost effective to update an audio feature in a 7 year old car design that sells in the hundreds and a redesign is coming. not having a hard drive does not make the RL a lower model than the TL. I don't buy CDs and from what I read you can only load music from store bought CDs to these HDDs. I'll be corrected if wrong I'm sure.

 

I remember punch cards, tape drives, and platters ..giving away my age now.

 

I have a wax cylinder around here somewhere..

 

Why not to use SSD then?

 

Cost? I'm not an automotive engineer so I can't say.

However, there is a 'lead time' between the final say in an automotive audio project and the actual product being in a vehicle in a showroom.

This might have been a decision made a few years ago for all we know

 

We have discussed this with various features over the years,,,,such as the NAVI or tranny differences between models within the brand.

Keep in mind auto manufacturers have many parts / components contracted to vendors. Those contracts may need be satisfied (either contractual duration or simple cost effectiveness) before the manufacturer may switch components or redesign newer versions or offerings.

Flagship vehicles typically showcase the brands latest features, styling and packaging philosophy. But it is unrealistic to expect that EVERY new feature and component be retrofitting into the flagship model with every feature and component upgrade. Vehicles are amazingly complex products and the planning, component supply, assembly tooling and execution are dazzling to coordinate.

Similarly, auto manufacturers will launch new features / updates within a product line up to aide in the focus & attention any particular model launch or update. The flagship is not always intended to be the recipient of a newer feature or component.

Next...look at the target market and align that feature alignment. A HDD is the want and desire of younger 'pocket media' clientele. MOST RL owners are not the target market for an HDD investment (this forum is a skew view of the RL market...most RL owners likely do not participate in web auto forums). The TL, TSX and RDX are better targets, higher volume and more return on investment to introduce that feature.

Last, as stated here, there is likely a pause in RL upgrades as a new model, new packaging philosophy is being cooked and more worth Acura's resource investment. Automobiles have yet to adopt an upgradable component model as technology components outpace automobile product delivery cycles. And I have just touch on a few variables the manufacturer must juggle to anticipate what the latest market acceptance will be. If they miss the target, it takes awhile to retool and repackage. And even if they hit the market...technology cycles burn out fast, 6 months later that feature is old hat or superseded with newer version. Problem is, the auto manufacturer has a parts vendor contract for XXXX units over XXXX period of time and have to satisfy that before making changes.

Technology, like fashion, changes with the seasons. The auto manufacturing model is challenged to catch up with, never mind anticipate the fashion fickle. That is a very expensive desire to maintain. And for those who must have the latest greatest best be prepared to swap vehicles and brands every model years as they each race to trump their competitors. Acura tends to leap frog in model generations, versus model years.