Can you beleive that. They could have the entire luxury FWD market to themselves. http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=04595978

 

By switching to RWD they may be able to compete with more performance-oriented cars like BMW, etc.

 

Yes, but the point Sergey made was -- why compete when you can have the FWD full-sized luxury market to yourself. There are some buyers of this segment that will say "only FWD" and pass on a 7-series, LS 430, or Mercedes to get the FWD. I would be surprised at this juncture that Acura would drop the FWD RL (although I could see it go AWD or hybrid). Is this Autoweek article for real??

 

Simple answer. By upping the ante with AWD.

 

Sounds like they are going to use IMA.

-r

 

RWD would be a mistake for the RL. Anyone can do a V8 RWD sedan. I'd prefer something more unique. High output V6 with IMA/AWD.

This goes for the NSX too, anyone can drop a V8 into a low and sleek car and for a LOT less than 90,000 dollars. Superlight weight body (below 2750 pounds) and/or IMA would make it really unique and also eliminate the need for a V8 or larger engine.

 

Things are a changin'.

 

I bet they're going to offer an AWD RL rather than an all new RWD platform.

 

<<why compete when you can have the FWD full-sized luxury market to yourself.>>

Because they are having trouble selling the current RL? The current pricing and incentives speaks for itself. How many Acura car can you get around or under invoice?

 

.

 

They're having trouble selling the RL because:

1. People who pay attention to RLs know that a new one is coming in a year.
2. People who don't know about RLs see that it is underpowered and overpriced.
3. The 2004 TL.
4. The 2004 TL.
5. The 2004 TL.

Any more questions? I mean, who'd buy a 2004 RL when the 2004 TL is such a superior product?

 

I agree. The infiniti q45 and m45 are selling horribly.

 

<< 1. People who pay attention to RLs know that a new one is coming in a year.
2. People who don't know about RLs see that it is underpowered and overpriced.
3. The 2004 TL.
4. The 2004 TL.
5. The 2004 TL.
>>

I agree with #1 and #2 and they are because of other competition. The TL and RL don't attract the same age group. People don't walk in to Acura dealership looking to buy an RL walk out with the TL.

 

so why is RL underpowered???
and overpriced?

 

Honda is actually a relatively small company as auto manufacturers go. They have brought out three new Acura models in the last two years. Honda simply could not afford to allocate a few hundred million for the RL update quite so soon.