I had a GS400 and a 500E('92) and lets face it Honda engines are smooth and produce a lot of HP per litre but they do not make the kid of torque that creates a rush from a stop. The RL will again fit into a segment of drivers who have not really had V-8 cars to base their driving decision on. TL owners will find it the next step up the ladder, albiet only 1 rung.

 

Cadillac = GM
GM = Chevy
Chevy = Corvette
Corvette = 400HP engine in CTS-V

 

Who does make the kid of torque?

I second this, Honda makes some of the most efficient engines in the world. This is because of the high revving factor. The new RL will pull 300HP probably around 6K RPM, while the competition such as the M45 will make 340HP around 4K. The M45 would also trump the RL when it comes to torque numbers. Honda just do not make engines that have torque, so they have to try harder to keep up with power numbers, especially with so small displacement. This is the reason Honda's are the poster child of "rice burners", they really have to rev to get power, and then add that fart can on the back and you get the nearly patented sound. I honestly don't know if Honda will stray away from this strategy anytime soon as more torque = larger displacement = worse fuel economy. Of course, there must be some way around it as the new Corvette has a 6.0L engine and still gets fairly respectable fuel economy for that size engine (~18-20MPG mixed I believe).

 

and if they are going to increase torque, honda better start making good trannys or get'em from GM

 

They could start by putting the 3.5 from the MDX into the TL. The 3.5 pulls liks a mad mad on a MDX, imagine what it would do in a TL. I have both and from 0-20 I bet the MDX would be in the lead if they went at it head to head.

3.5MDX: hp=265@5800, torgue=253@3500, 10.0:1 comp ratio
3.2 TL: hp=270@6200, torque=238@5000, 11.0:1 comp ratio

The 3.5 is far more powerful, imagine it w/ the TL's intake and exhaust as well as the same comp ratio. I guess that is how the RL's 3.5 will make 300hp

 

I believe this is exactly what they did for the RL.