Nope, the rumor clearly indicates RL. I HOPE that's the 3G RL. I will never doubt Acura/Honda again if that's the RL and if it has the drivetrain features we all crave. I will gladly find money for that.

Oh wait......

In any case.....Oh, did I mention I was REALLY happy to see that? Even if the rumor is fake, it indicates Acura is going somewhere.

Here's hoping Acura doesn't let us down again. Don't forget that we heard these same V8 and good-looking car rumors prior to the release of the 2G RL. "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice.....dumber than shzt" should be the operative rule here.

 

The title of the article is a link ...

 

Oops! Your colorful text threw me. Thanks.

.
.

 

I hope it's true too. I'd totally buy one. But have to find the money first

 

Top Notch look. I can't see them asking $70K since they want to pull a Lexus when Toyota undercut the Germans. IF this is the real deal, I am definitely upgrading my 05 to this beauty.

Although,..the TL side edge is noticeable and could be the 2009 TL?.....

 

I must say that this new drawing looks very nice and sporty. The grill flows with the car. Hope it actually comes with 420hp.

Well anyways, here is my version.

 

I can handle the concept, and to be honest, i actually really like it, and if it's true with a 420hp V8, it sounds like they ARE going up against the LS series, otherwise that walks into Audi S6 territory!

 

With 420HP and all the technology the current RL has and some, this car will blow away Lexus and the competition. This could be the rebirth of Acura by FINALLY having a flagship sedan. I would be curious to see if the cylinder deactivation provides some true fuel savings. The only thing missing is a 7 speed transmission, now that would be icing on the cake.

 

Wishing Very Hard

 

I would buy that in a heart beat. If it had the proposed numbers and typical Honda handling.

edit: the RonJon wheels as OEM would just about cause me to have a seizure in the showroom. That is the hawtness.However it looks more evolutionary from the TL rather than the RL. Even as a continuation of the TL line I think that would do very well, but the RL needs to raise the bar beyond that (styling wise).

 

It sure has the look of the next TL, but I do expect more of a family resemblance the next time around. Of course you know this is just a rendering, probably not even from Acura.

Think about it, we are 40 days away from the street debut of the next TSX and there is only one picture. The TL is 6 months away and not even a sketch. Why would Acura show us a RL that is years away?

 

Of course we all know that, we're not doofuses.

Because the RL has been a total sales dog so far, the MMC is destined to be a flop given the reaction to it so far, and Acura needs to do anything they can to drum up interest. However, your point is well taken--Acura would have to change its mind about being close to the vest about releases, and given how conservative they are, does anyone think this would suddenly change?

Still, we RL owners are looking for ANY glimpse of hope for the future. So let us hope and for a bit, OK?

 

No we don't all crave RWD/V8.... I certainly don't...I know I'm in the minority, but not all of us come from the "no replacement for displacement" crowd.

 

I love the picture of the projected new RL...even the grill on that car is ok...I admire the powerfull v8 engine...class leading product....near class leading price...I bought my RL for 38k...I cant see me being in the market for a 70k automobile no matter how great it is.

I am not the shopper that Acura is looking for. They want to attract the 7's, LS, e350+, S80(v8), A8 shoppers. It would be great if they can capture their audiance.

 

well said by larrynimmo. they will need to target the 7 series / S-class category but pull a Lexus and provide a competitive price. I can see an entry point of $55K with a topped out car around or slightly below $65K. The Lexus LS is discounted about $4k-$5k right now.

The cars that will get hit the most by Acura will be Audi and Lexus. The S and 7 series have their clientèle and it will take years to get those people to even visit an Acura dealer.

 

That rendering and the specs sound fantastic. Almost too good. I'm drooling too Bob, but I'm afraid this might be a bit of a joke (or at very least only someones guess for the future). Edmunds didn't reveal their source for this info. It's like it came out of thin air. Very well could be the creation of a 17 year old fanboy with good Photoshop skills.

I hope it's true, but I'm just saying......

 

I'm not one lusting after V8/RWD, but I know many people seem to think that the RL will never be a worthy contender without it. The whole idea of this being the next Gen RL leaves me questioning how will they fill the price range that they will be leaving if the RL moves up to the $55-70K range? That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me so I'm still skeptical about this being legit.

They would have no car in the $38-55K range and ,even though it might be nice to have a status car in the $60-70k range, not that many shoppers exist up in that range. I just don't see them abandoning the current price range that the RL occupies without a replacement.

Maybe they plan to shift each product up a notch through content like making the TL available w/ SH-AWD and some other options?

 

I'm from Missouri on this one too. However, Acura did announce they are coming out with many new models in the next few years. That DID come from Acura directly. I suppose it's possible that the gap could be filled with variants of the TL or possibly a whole new model. But I'm still not believing this story until it's got a better named source.

 

Killjoys.

Wasn't that a nice rumor, though? As I mentioned before, that rumor was passed around before the release of the 2G RL as well and.....well, we know what happened.

 

Judging from some of the TL spy pics, that artist rendering has similar dimensions. I wouldn't be surprised if that is what the new TL looks like.

 

I'm not seeing that at all. Especially the back section. I know the spyshots were ful of camo but not THAT much. This is not the same car IMO

 

Looks like Acura might put a V8 into the RL.

Edmunds Article

Mod edit--neuronbob--this thread merged into the 3G RL thread

 

Interesting. I'll believe it when I see it though. There have been plenty of rumors along these lines that years later have still not seen the light of day.

 

IF they did build the car described, then they'd at least have the foundation to begin competing in the segment.

IMHO, the RL/5-Series/LS/GS Segment is as much about how much it costs as it is about what it has.

Even the current gen RL, IMO, would've competed better if had been priced $10k higher and nothing else changed.

IOW - I think part of the perception of "High Luxury" is the price tag.

 

As nice as this highly-speculative design looks, I hope Acura isn't really planning on trying to crack the $70,000 market.

Part of Acura's appeal is "value luxury", and leaping from $50k to $70k on the back of a largely failed model would go down as another marketing blunder of massive proportions.

You don't build a Lexus-level brand overnight, and Acura has had enough of a struggle competing with the likes of Infiniti, which I consider to be a "mid-level" luxury brand. It needs to concentrate on competing in, and conquering, that segment before going on to take on Lexus and Mercedes and the other true luxury brands.

Like, slow down, Grasshopper ... is it not better to beat the hare by making steady strides than by trying to jump ahead of him like the kangaroo? Ah, so.

.
.

 

Repost.

Continue the discussion in this thread, where the rumor is post #37.

Yet another 3G RL rumor. All others to be merged here

 

WOW!!!! I want one now. If that is the next gen then i am definetly staying with Acura.

 

On the first point, ooops, I thought I was on VTEC.net for a minute....

On the second, as Viper said to Mavrick, "I'm not here to blow sunshine up your butt lieutenant"

 

After seeing the styling calamity of the MMC front end, I was ready for therapy.

I still cannot believe Acura exec think it is a good idea to deploy that forced face.

Seeing this concept give me hope for the future. If it is an Acura concept, bravo. But it also further underscores the MMC to the RLs front end went awry.

If it is not an Acura sketch, find the artist, hire him (or her) and get the current stylists into rehab, fast.

I am very superficial here. As much as the content and engineering in this rumor is substantial, the current drivetrain with that body would have me lining up to buy one. I too do not need a V8, but if it is cylinder deactivation, it likley will get better mpg than out current V6. IF Acura pursues this, it seems to be a smart way to do so. But I am one of the few who is happy with the current RL, but would love to see some crack free design replace the current design.

I would be hard pressed to think a $70K+ sticker will do well in sales, but it may serve the purpose to elevate the brand perception. I would be happy to see it in the $60K range....with all the engineering features.

That said, if the TL will be pushing the $40K benchmark, and this speculative vehicle is $70K, I see an opening for a model in the $50K range. Perhaps this supercar/flagship will be halo sedan and a more realistic RL will maintain a slot above the TL with more sales volume.

 

If the RL does indeed jump in price, there's going to be a huge price gap between the TL and RL; it will be like BMW having a 3 series and 7 series with no 5 series.

Acura will either upscale the TL into the 50 range or introduce an entirely new vehicle to fill the void.

 

I thought I read in this or the TL thread that the TL may move upscale??

Then the TSX move into the TL's slot? Rather than introduce an entirely new model, move it upscale. Right now the TSX is in the price range of the Accord, hence direct competitors, wrt price..

 

The TSX is the $30K threshold and Acura's entry model now that the RSX was dropped.

There is rumor another CUV is in the works, larger than MDX. But I hate to see Acura become a truck company, even if market conditions dictate it. Perhaps a wakeup call for efficiency will bring Acura to it's Honda roots and smart, sporty yet relatively efficient vehicles will return.

So to recap, this rumor would put the sedan / CUV line up in these ranges (loosely)...

30K TSX
35K RDX
40K TL
45K MDX
70K RL?
??K NSX

I see there will be holes to fill.

 

The rumored car will likely be the "M5" or "S6" version of the RL - an RL-S maybe? That's the only way it makes sense. Acura can't survive trying to sell $70k cars.

 

That would make good sense. OFFER a V8 version a la Type S at $70K, but most RLs could be V6 300+ HP (with cylinder deactivation and a green diesel variants) in the $55K territory.

Sign me up for that beauty.

 

I love the look too, but do not see this as a future car to compete with the top luxos, too small. I hope it's a peek at what the new TL will be like. Why would Acura want to stir any interest in the next gen RL right now, with all 3 of their sedans being rereleased in the next few months. not happening.

 

That was a great quote.

 

I think I got it wrong, it's 'up your ass'

Edit: I just re-read that and realize that taken out of context, it might be a little offensive

 

Realistically, I agree.

But my reaction to the RL MMC styling has me desperate to rationalize. Maybe, just maybe, Acura has a clue. Maybe, just maybe....Acura realizes they shot themselves in the foot. Maybe, just maybe, Acura hears the outcry of the RL MMC and wanted to offer a tease before the last lifeboat of Acura RL loyalists is lowered away? Rather than face the humiliation of the MMC reaction, they may be trying 'hey, but look what's to come!'.

Yeah, I know....dream on.

 

I think, compared to the perceived damage that the 05-08 RL has done to Acura image, the 09 RL fluffing is a drop in the bucket, no one cares. The RL barely registers on the luxcar radar.

The crucial models are the new TSX and TL right now.

I really love the picture of this coupe-like car, but it doesn't look like any flagship to me. It's a great look, tho, no doubt, but the real model always is blanded down too.
I remember seeing the CLX concept car turn into the first CL. Talk about letdown.

 

LeftLaneNews makes it sound like there will be RWD & a SHAWD version:

Acura V8 Rumors Heat Up, Again
With rumors of Honda’s luxury brand getting a V8 engine for its flagships circulating for years, new reports rekindle the flame. The current Acura RL makes do with a 300 horsepower V6 putting power to the ground via a front-wheel-biased all-wheel drive system. The reports hint the next generation RL will be built on a new rear-wheel drive platform, with a decidedly rear-wheel bias for an expected AWD system, and powered by a 4.8 liter V8 good for 420 horsepower.

The new engine, a first for Honda, would feature a cylinder deactivation system to attain class-leading fuel economy, according to Inside Line. The Advanced Sedan Concept Acura showed at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show may provide a hint as to the new flagship’s look. Last month, Japan’s Best Car magazine printed a rendering of the RL, reporting it would have a 4.5 liter V8 under its hood.

Earlier beliefs included Acura skipping V8 engine development and taking a page or two out of its F1 engine program to produce V10s for the street.