yup, i posted it here, originally posted by turkman on TOV:
"Line up for Acura:
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...308019986/1280

Sales have begun to rebound for American Honda Motor Co.'s luxury brand, and a product renaissance in 2012 -- complete with a big entry into hybrid powertrains -- could provide a further boost.

Acura's two crossovers will be redesigned. And while the RL flagship won't have the rear-drive V-8 version -- those plans were killed in 2009 -- it will be significantly re-engineered. Subsequent model years will see other major redesigns and other lineup changes.

Acura also will take a step back from its polarizing "keen edge" design philosophy. An early hint of a more refined look can be seen in the 2012 TL midcycle change. The angular front "beak" was replaced by a more traditional grille.

RSX: An entry-luxury sedan will come in the spring of 2013, to compete with the Lexus CT 200h and BMW front-drive cars. The RSX is based on the Honda Civic platform and will be powered by a 210-hp version of the Civic Si's four-cylinder engine. After the failure of the Canadian-market CSX, Acura knows it can't just deliver a warmed-over Civic. This model will be larger and have more differentiated sheet metal.

RSX coupe: Plans call for a midcycle addition that arrives in the spring of 2015. Dealers have asked for a convertible hardtop.

TSX: There is talk within Acura that the TSX will go away after its cycle ends in 2013. Four low-volume sedans that are close in size may not be a healthy business plan.

TL: The Honda Accord-based mid-sized sedan got a major fascia change this year, meaning a redesign won't come until the fall of 2013. Because it is too close in size to the RL, expect a shorter wheelbase and less overall length.

At launch, Honda's large-car hybrid system will be available as an option on the base V-6. The V-6 will be lighter and will include a new cylinder deactivation system and stop-start ignition. The 3.7-liter V-6 may come down in displacement to 3.5 liters.

RL: Look for a re-engineering of the all-wheel-drive RL in late 2012 as a 2013 model. Pride will not let Acura get rid of its flagship -- which is on an expensive stand-alone architecture -- even though Honda is looking to kill the vehicle in Japan, where it is called the Legend.

RDX: After a six-year cycle, the small crossover will be redesigned for the summer of 2012. It will be offered in both front- and all-wheel drive. The twitchy turbo-four version goes away, replaced by a standard 2.5-liter inline-four engine on the base model, and a hybrid-four as an option. There won't be a V-6 because the Civic platform that underpins the RDX can't accommodate it. A midcycle addition of a seven-speed sequential transmission is possible.

ZDX: It was new for the 2010 model year, so no changes are planned for now.

MDX: A redesign is scheduled for the fall of 2012. A running change will include a hybrid version to augment the base V-6 engine. For fuel economy, the base 300-hp 3.7-liter engine may be replaced with a new 270-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. The MDX mostly missed out on the keen edge design era and will stay with more restrained luxury styling.

NSX: Honda Motor President Takanobu Ito says a new version of the Ferrari-fighter is in the works. He should know; he was an engineer on the original. But killing the sports car in 2009, after misfires on two concepts, means it will likely be 2014 before one hits the road. "

 

I had suspected this would be the last of the big V-6 engines. I'm going to enjoy it while I can afford the gas.

 

jason - I should've known the news would be out there somewhere but good to have the TL news here I guess.

Agreed. BTW, I'm down here in LA now. I still have a bit of a resentment about what the winter pebbles and stones used by Portland in the winter did to my TL. *sigh* I should've known better than to buy a car in November in Portland. Last week approached Tonkin Acura about upgrading the TL just to see...they low balled me on the trade-in and would not budge from their over-list price.

Why is it the dealers don't deal up there? Dick Hannah Acura tried but what the numbers they offered were so far off base compared to other areas of the country it was embarrasing.

 

Yep, Bought one from Hanna but got the other one in Seattle. Good luck with LA traffic.

 

I hope Acura remembers to keep the TL powerful and agile.

 

Yeah, if the traffic doesn't get me, the potholes and buckling pavement will.

 

oh no its fine, people needed to see it here

you guys know how I said I am selling my TL. I still am (still waiting for a few cars to come out first), but if the news is accurate, then will the 2012-2013 TL SHAWD be the last car acura puts out with a large engine? I was hoping they'd make revisions or update the J37, but I think due to the relatively poor FE, they won't.

The J35 was revised/refined for the 2010 TSX V6 and 2012 MMC TL. Unfortunately the J37 didn't get the same revisions, this leads me to believe they're going to let that engine rot on a vine.

I don't mind having "just" 270hp, but unless that also means the car will be more responsive, lighter, faster, more refined, and more fuel efficient (not 1-2mpg, but like 5mpg), then it would be a step backwards.

 

Unless Honda keeps dragging on it's feet (again) for it's brand new generation of V6 engines, their debut will make obsolete the entire J-series V6 family, not just the J37.

 

They've bet the farm on this hybrid crap and are going to stick with it. Like I'll continue to maintain; them pulling out of F1...the company that put Senna in the seat that dominated Schumacher for years pulls out of racing, you know they've had a change of direction.

While they COULD build a 400HP direct injection 3 liter V6 that could get 40mpg in a 3800lb car; they'd rather throw 20 D batteries and a golf-cart motor on it and call it "green".

 

Why not improve the 2.8 litre turbo v6 that Honda makes.

 

^^^^^ That's a LMP2 race engine, and has to be tear down and rebuild after each race.

 

I read the article again. They are saying the TL will be smaller, but narrower and shorter. Hopefully it will be a lot lighter. Then with sh-awd, 6 speeds, and maybe an improved 3.5 V6 it will still be plenty fast and tossable.

 

Not just 6-speed, it should have a 7-speed auto box, preferably the dual-clutch DSG type.

 

I wonder why they would make an RSX sedan and axe the TSX?

 

RSX sedan = TSX.

 

my average gas mileage has been about 19MPG (50% city/50% highway) so yeah, I'm looking at a hybrid or a diesel as mny next car purchase...hopefully Acura will have a manual transmission one in a few years. :-D

is a manual transmission hybrid possible?

 

They already build one = CR-Z

 

Considering the big real-world mpg jump (18mpg to 26mpg) from the M37 to M37h, I'd like to see something similar with the TL.

 

Ant$ and iforyou, I'm with you guys. This is something I wouldn't mind paying for, but I'm afraid it'll be a $48-$50k car once done. Not to mention, I may have a new car by the time it comes out. This is going to be a 5G engine, right?

It seems like they may be returning the TL to a more compact car (note : I didn't say "a compact car"), which I wouldn't mind, so that the RL can be more differentiated from it. I think...

 

If they were interested in going head to head - It would make sense for them to align the TL with the size of the G37 / IS / 3 Series / A4 and make a Larger RL that would be a 5 Series / A6 / LS / M37 competitor.

Honda always found a way to get race tech into production engines. They're not doing so much racing anymore, but I can't help but wonder why they don't explore bringing pneumatic or hydraulic valves to the car world. A 3 Liter V6 that can safely rev to 10k when you feel like getting down on it, or cruise at 2k for high MPG....it's right down Honda's alley...

 

so rdx will be hybrid, tl will be hybrid, tsx might get scrapped and RL stay overpriced...what will there be to buy from acura in the future?

 

^ hybrid will be an OPTION. Don't think it's mandatory man.

 

lol!!!

 

Branding issue I think... many on these boards have commented that they've confused a TSX for a TL... while I haven't, I'm sure Acura's heard this too & thinks it might further help in naming (TL = only Acura starting with a T)... don't think the RL will get confused with a RSX...