sufall96

Do you think Acura need a V8 in a big luxury sedan to gain the same respect as some of the other players in the luxury segment Benz, BMW, Lexus just to name a few.
Speak your peace.

EmuMessenger

Nah, a little more torque, maybe. Their 6's are pretty strong.

sbuswell

If they had a V8 and could pull the same power ratio compared with there 6's then absolutely YES!!! Think about it a naturally aspirated V8 from Acura posting well over 350HP. They would probably develope a 4.2 liter V8 like Lexus, but harness the engines capabilities to a much higher extent. The RL and the TL-S(reborn) with a V8, all V8's would have RWD or the new RL sh-AWD system, nasty!!

Ken1997TL

If Acura/Honda were to have a V8, they would need vehicles that could accomodate it.

That would mean entirely new platforms. Basically only a super-sedan and/or the NSX would really benefit from it.

Bob In Miami

Can Acura compete in the same leage as the Germans and Lexus without a V8? I don't think so. Whether or not it makes sense, to be successful with a luxury car it at least needs a model with a V8. It has taken a long time, but even Volvo and Saab have figured that out.

Bob

matelot

No Honda does not need no V8 same way as Porsche don't need no stinking SUV

rets

For this question, IMHO, YES, this will definitely help Acura compete with Toyota and Nissan, and boost Acura's flagship to go against Germans. Since Honda is so good with engine technology, this V8 would be as good as its F1 egnine soon...

Vicman17

I don't think Honda/ Acura needs to develop a V8. By the way they are going right now with a 300 bhp V6 that is normally aspirated, they can go against the likes of the Lexus GS and BMW 5, Benz E-320.

Majority of the mid-luxury cars sold out there are 6 cylinder models (read this in a magazine somewhere). Like the BMW 528/ 530 and the Mercedes C and E 320. The V8 varieties like the S-Class, E-500, 540 and the Lexus 430 are very few. Perhaps Honda might reconsider adding another RWD with a V8 to surpass the RL but the way the 300 bhp on a SH-AWD platform, it seems to catch the critics by storm.

I think Honda does not want or need to go against the likes of Lexus, BMW Mercedes and recently Nissan/Infiniti, since the market that they capture with their FWD luxury line has a good chunk of the market.

Lokius

The RL needs a stronger powered V6 or a V8 to compete with the 545, E500, or GS430, simple as that. I personally don't think they will ever gain more market share without it.

Tracer

After putting 2000 miles on my 2005 RL... YES.. Acura needs a V8! Power is decent, but the car needs more torque and basically more oomph to it.

If the 06 RL (best Acura EVER btw, got the cash, get one!) would come with a V8, my 05 would be SO quickly traded-in, it's not funny anymore.

For the rest, it's a fantastic car

Tracer

cvajs

oem V6 S/C'd would be nice.

2K2SilverTL-S

They do need a V8, but Acura's are selling well and Acura is doing very well overall, so I really dont see a V8 in the near future.

Yauser

Yes, Porsche needs a stinking SUV so that they actually make decent profit to stay in business to make stinking sports cars.

cM3go

HP isn't everything we need more low end torque

Crazy88

I would like to see a V8 and a V12, could you imagine?? Acura would be right up there with BMW and MB. And yes i know this is unrealistic

Teh Jatt

i dontknow i found that funny

ok i don't think honda needs V8, they can get what they want from v6.

MR1

I don't think Acura 'NEEDS' a V8. But, it depends on where and how they want to participate in the market.

Everybody doesn't want to be the biggest, fastest, most expensive. I rather enjoy the niche that they target now. Not necessay to be everything to everybody. More low end torque would be nice.

ayethetiense

V8 = more gas

gallon of gas = 2.40+

i'll stick with my 270 hp v6. i would like more torque though...

it comes to a point that most V8 treet cars that handle that are heavy as hell, making gas consumption even more. it also starts to make the car less maneuverable and less nimble.

ie. throw-around difference of the tsx and TL

Ken1997TL

When people say they want more power, 95% of the time they want more low end torque, not horsepower.

Lokius

Our 270hp v6 doesnt exactly get stellar MPG, higher than most, but compared to what I would call fuel efficient no way. In San Diego we have the highest gas prices in the country, and I'm pretty sure the difference between a honda engineered v8 and v6 in fuel efficiency would be negligible.. however honda doesnt have one, yet

SouthernBoy

With some V8 engines, you pay no penalty at the fuel pumps. Check out the mileage figures for the new C6 Corvette. With 400 HP and 400 lb/ft of torque, it still delivers 28 MPG on the road. And this with an increased engine displacement this year.

Yes, Acura may wish to consider the use of a V8 for its flagship RL, IF they got a few steps further. IF they want to more directly target the market of more serious performance sedans, they need to do a few more things than just stuff a V8 under the hood.

A whole driveline and suspension makeover would be in order. Don't stop at 252 cubic inches (4.2 liters), but use an engine of around 300 to 330 cubic inches. And a manual transmission is a MUST once you get into this area. I say this because if they do this right and keep the price under control, they could have a car which might be viewed as the "poor man's" M5.

Oh, and this should also be a separate RL model so that the standard RL packaging would still be available. Call it the RL-S for "Super" or the RL-X for "Extra".

JetJock

Acura needs better quality control if they ever want to compete with Lexus....Mercedes has long lost their edge with quality and Lexus is the top dog right now. If Acura wants to compete with Lexus, quality comes first then they can worry about the engines later. I love my TL and don't have any quality issues, but from reading about everyone on this forum who does, it's obvious Acura has some quality control issues to deal with.

Perziankabob

i think the only way honda would come out with a v8 is if they used the same technology in their minivan. where 2 cylnders would shut off when it is not needed. the extra two would just be used for torque

SouthernBoy

Don't need to shutdown two cylinders if the engine and ECU are properly tuned and the do everything right. I referred to the new C6 Corvette, but Chevy also did this with the former Z06's.. 27 MPG on those, and we're talking very low 12's at over 112 MPH in the quarter.

1995hoo

I think it would be funny if Acura were to make a new NSX with a HYBRID V8 (gas/electric). Reason being that in Virginia hybrids are eligible for the special "Clean Fuel" license plate, which allows the driver to drive solo in the HOV lanes. The hard-core HOV crowd are always squawking about the existing hybrids....imagine if there were a hybrid sports car like the NSX! They'd have a fit!

1995hoo

I believe the new Accord Hybrid does something similar--it has the V6 and it shuts down three cylinders when cruising on the highway. Apparently it also has some sort of active noise-cancellation to silence the boom this causes (this, according to Road & Track).

03CoupeV6

I could see the RL with a V8 and VCM. Cut 4 cylinders at idle, cut 2 in gentle acceleration and stop-and-go, and cut 4 cruising. Only work all 8 at WOT. That's not going to happen.

A much more realisitic prediction is that the RL will go hybrid and IMA will give it more low-end torque and the fuel efficiency of a four-cylinder.

F23A4

But to true Honda-philes (like a friend of mine), torque is like garlic to a vampire. :HIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS:

Dkrudop

If the current hp race continues...it might be wise for them to have a V8 on hand...I mean...how much more hp can they coax out of the current engines? If the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum have 340 hp....certainly Honda can outdo DC!

TL MaN 05 WdP

4cyl vtech 500hp

TSX 'R' US

NSX + V8 =

SMF-TLS

I don't think you will ever see one - larger engines, V8 etc. goes against Honda/Acura's vision. Honda/Acura likes to get the most out of smaller engines. Just my

Bobzmcishl

Agree with all of your points. The Acura TL should have a CTS-V competitor. And the RL really needs a V8. Gas mileage is a non-issue as you say. If GM can get good mileage from a vette, Acura should have no problem at all. They can start this ball rolling by putting the V8 into the new NSX which is what I heard they were going to do, and possibly kill the Honda S2000 which would be a shame. I also have a 95 BMW 540i and the V8 in that car is so sweet. Problem is that new ones are over 60k now. So I will keep my TL for awhile. I really dislike the fwd though. I think that is even a worse problem than the lack of a V8.

Tracer

You know, i drive an 05 RL, as i stated in an earlier post. I can afford a $52,000 car, i really don't give a crap about $2.40 per gallon for my fuel

Tracer

J RIDE 81

I personally would love to see an Acura V8.

SouthernBoy

To F23A4;

"When people say they want more power, 95% of the time they want more low end torque, not horsepower."

I agree with this completely. Torque is what you feel all the time; horsepower is only evident when you nail the throttle. I have been crying for more cubic inches with the same comparable state of tune we currently have. That should equate to around 300-305 HP and 280 lb/ft of torque. Those numbers would be at the upper limits of what the TL could handle in its present FWD platform, but wouldn't it be S-S-W-W-E-E-E-E-T!


To Bobzmcishl;

Yep, yep, yep. I like your input. Tracer mentioned he could afford a $52K car and I kinda think like him. Fuel prices and economy are not my primary concerns. I was considering a CTS-V along with the TL. I still really like the CTS-V and there are times I wish I had gone with it. But I also very much like my TL, so I'm not at all disappointed.

F23A4

This is a very interesting discussion but just dont forget Honda is in the business to make money off "volume" car sales. If the RL sells proportionally like the 3G TL has then Honda wont see any need for a V8 in the RL or TL. Now if folks in the RL market start unloading their new RLs for LS/GS430s OR Q/M45s then you might see Honda go into full development mode with a V8 program. But I dont see this happening.

If history serves me correctly, it took some thinning sales of the 5G Accord for them to finally opt a V6 motor in the Accord; the 5G was NOT developed with a V6 motor in mind. (That's why the 95-97 V6 is stretched 3 inches longer than the F22 5G, in order to accomodate the C27A.)

But IMHO, Honda's approach is to be certain that this "V8 thing" isnt a passing fad that would be vanquished by skyrocketing pump prices. (Honda probably viewed the Camry V6 and 626 V6 as a possible fad as well in only developing the 5G Accord for 4 cyl use only.)

IMO, there has to be measurable (and sustained) demand for a V8 sedan before Honda pulls that trigger. $.02

Brewmaster

I think the original question is regarding a "big luxury sedan" with a V8. IMHO if Acura wants to play in all the same sandboxes then yes it needs a big sedan with a V8. To this, I don't think the RL meets the criteria. Acura would need a whole new platform. Larger, more luxury than sport, throw a V8 in it, and you're talking BIG BUCKS!!! I'm not sure if Acura would go there.. will there be a market for a V8 in the current vehicles? Probably, but it wouldn't hit the same targets as the BIG class Lexus, BMW or MB.

SouthernBoy

Yep, it all comes down to dollars and that's the way it should be. When the market speaks, companies tend to listen. While there will always be an offshoot that is used for corporate image or promotion (i.e. the Viper, the NSX, the new Ford GT), mainstream cars have got to go through the market analysis gauntlet. And this a good thing. Thank God for capitalism.

aw1

Honda/Acura does need a V8 to compete with the other major players in the market. However, Honda has always tend to build fuel effienient engines which is why the love building 4 bangers. How long did it take the Accord to get a V6? 1997? I dont think we will see a V8 powered Honda/Acura anytime soon except in autoracing.