ShiftinAt8600

Just an FYI, I was told this recently, and with rumors as always, should be taken with a grain of salt, so don't shoot the messenger..
Supposedly, after the launch of the TLX, Acura's next plans are to focus on the refresh of the ILX, which would bring the Jewel Eye headlights to the model. Interestingly, I was told that only the 2.4 engine will be the only engine option sold, and only in automatic slushbox form. This will happen in 2015.
After the ILX refresh, Acura will then focus on the refresh of the RDX, which will also bring the Jewel Eye headlights and an Advance package to the model. This will also happen in 2015 after the ILX refresh.
We are then looking at the launch of the all new NSX in the second half of 2015 shortly after the refresh of the ILX and RDX.
Acura is considering a TLX Type S and most likely, might be in the works, but will only be in "higher powered" (either V6 or Turbo 4) SH-AWD form, and if it is finalized, will be out sometime in 2017/2018.
Acura has plans to change the corporate look/grill in 2017/2018, and the TLX Type S might come with existing shield grill, but the following year, will receive new corporate look. (if this is the case, do not buy the first year Type S)
And lastly, Acura is toying with a coupe (CLX maybe?) slated for release sometime in 2018/2019 but is definitely in it's early stages (discussing plans/names). Acura needs to build a good business case to release a vehicle like this and will depend on sales for the entire lineup within the next few years.

Again, please take this with a grain of salt..

silverTL6

iTrader: (2)

Source? Most of these "rumors" have already been confirmed via spy pics or hinted at by acura personnel. Wouldn't be surprised if it was a dealer that told you this after surfing AZ or vtec.net...

ostrich

Thanks! If the RDX had an Advance trim now, I would have bought that already! It is way overdue.... :-)

9SpeedTran

I'm hoping for a SH SH AWD MDX in 2016/7....

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

geez, over 7 years to re-brand the company, counting the 4G.
what a waste.

hopefully, they can implement these changes quicker.

Redsand353

hopefully my 3G is still running by then

Tonyware

I think that the roadmap described above leads to nowhere. Everyone out there is experimenting with new battery technology for hybrids and electric cars. There are emissions and MPG targets to meet that go beyond what one single company thinks they should be. Acura, and Honda for that matter, are on the forefront of hydrogen, gas and electric power because of all kinds of changes around them. They are writing the book. What the cars will be called is irrelevant. What is relevant is that sooner or later the J and K engines, turbos and superchargers, all kinds of transmissions will be in the history books. It is inevitable.

So, any roadmap that doesn't cover some form of electric or electrolysis power is probably full of sh... (sorry).

jeich182

From what I've read a coupe variant might not be as far away as the OP suggests.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Acura was once ahead of the curve.
they've fallen and cant get back up

hadokenuh

It only makes sense to do what this is saying. The ILX is not selling and desparately needs refreshed. The RDX sales numbers are declining. Time to release a new Halo to build the brand image.

If the ILX and TLX are selling well, we'll sure see more things coming. Like the Type S and a TLX coupe.

All steps to the right direction. They need to focus on making more money before investing into new technologies.

MardiGras

I'll take these rumors with a grain of air.

MardiGras

Agree. They need a LifeAlert.

dzionny_dzionassi

This is your ILX refresh with jewel led lights and bigger wheels

blacktsxwagon

Can you give a source for this? Otherwise really not worth anyone's time

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

looks like the current gen civic.

ShiftinAt8600

Awesome! Yeah, I saw that from the other thread, and was actually my first time seeing it. Looks pretty good and I'm def diggin' the whole Jewel Eye across the entire line up.

I apologize if some of this information was already posted elsewhere. As for my source, unfortunately I'm not allowed to say, but take that as you will. I was also informed that even with what seems to be a grill update on the 2015 ILX, Acura will have a complete (corporate) front end change, and not just the grill portion and it'll start with the MDX and trickle down to the other models.

With that said, I actually like the current look on the TLX. I think the grill actually started to look better with the 4G in 2012.

iutodd

I mostly agree with this. The only "new" thing from what I can tell is the idea that Acura is going to change the corporate look (the shield/power plenum/beak).

And nobody seems to know anything about what is going to happen with the RLX.

weather

I hope they will not get rid of the Manual Option on the 2016+ ILX....that would be a shame! Is Acura getting away from all manual transmission in favor of their DCT/ZF 9 speed? So they bring back better models and now kill the passion for those who want to row their gears.....It seems like they are determined to find a way to piss off people

Then again, I guess its better to be "pissed off" than "pissed on" ... at least for most anyway!

MardiGras

It's Top Secret! Besides you, only the NSA and CIA know.

jjsC5

I could not disagree with you more. The take rate on alternate sources is moving forward at a snails pace. And the new CAFE numbers are easier than people think to hit because there are all sorts of credits allowed to hit the numbers that have nothing to do with what you see on the window sticker.

What the OP shared is a three year plan. What you are talking about is a 10-20 year plan.

Acura_Dude

Sounds expensive.

HONDA MADE IT RAIN, BITCH!!

It will.

draph

Acura/Honda abandoning selling the best MTs in the world while Buick is now offering 3-pedal options. The end of the world is nigh...

I will not succumb. I'll drive my 2010 TL 6MT until the wheels fall off. By the time that happens, I'll be an empty nester and hopefully there will still be a few coupes around offered with MT.

draph

The evolution of the beak to that version looks pretty nice (the "power plenum" morphs into a large center grill bar). Even better if the upper grill "opening" isn't just a blank piece of black plastic, but an actual functional air intake for a turbo/intercooler.

BTW, I never minded the beak, because it has been a more pragmatic way of dealing with the fact most cars are bottom breathers while front ends have to get taller for pedestrian safety standards. Look closer at those big black Audi grills and you'll discover the vast majority of it is solid black plastic. Most of the grill is fake. Chevy has the split grill - on many of them, the upper half is a fake.

blacktsxwagon

AKA I am making this all up for attention and my source is the 19 year old who sold me my TLX

silverTL6

iTrader: (2)

You can still tell us if it was a H/A employee or a dealership, and that would "only" narrow it down to ~200,000 possible suspects. Nothing to worry about, I would say

Otherwise, no source = no credibility. Certainly appreciate the gesture though

silverTL6

iTrader: (2)

I'm sure it'll turn out better, but for now this MMC grille reminds me of these...

fsttyms1

Acura is slowly inserting a gap larger and larger above the A and getting more of a bar and less of a shield. Hopefully they keep it up for a while and keep making the gap slightly larger.

draph

This lends some credibility for starting up a rumor of Honda and Mazda merging... Imagine the results - Sky Dreams Earth Active architecture...a Miata with Honda drive train (sub $30K reinvented S2000 anyone?). Mazda and Honda sharing resources/architectures for their mainstream offerings, while freeing up resources for developing stand-alone rwd architectures for Acura to become relevant beyond "Honda Plus".

holografique

That's what I really want to know....

silverTL6

iTrader: (2)

And then the evolution back to the 3G grille will be complete

Rocket_man

My guess is that all their mainstream cars will be autos and they will eventually have a Type-S variant with the manual. So if a buyer wants a manual they would need to go with the Type-S. But in a practical sense they just won't sell that many of these cars. Maybe they run a month's production of Type-S's and that will be enough supply for a year.

KeithL

Sorry I just don't see a manual period, not unless they can totally reuse the existing gearbox setup in the TLX. I do not see them spending a penny on any retooling or R&D for a new tranny for such a low take rate at this point. I am actually having hesitations thinking they will do a Type-S. They clearly have abandoned any idea of a s sporty line to their sedans.

Drei

iTrader: (2)

What about the fact that Acura sells the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD?

Also, why would Acura develop and race a TLX GT race car, if they've "clearly" abandoned the idea of a S line?

I believe that Acura is indeed working on a Type S TLX, but we won't see it for another 3-4 years

Stew4HD

Nice, positive outlook! Acura has somewhat separated itself from mother Honda and can forge it's own path to some extent. It would take a blind person to not see that having options help sales (F-Sport, Infiniti's S models, etc) I like to think that Acura wants a piece of that pie too

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

a sports hybrid system does equate a type-s.
the 4G TL received SHAWD but no type-s.
the TSX only got an SE version.
and the ILX....
Acura also developed a GT TSX and a GT 4G TL.......
those did not get turned into type-s models.
and why hold it back for 4 years?
Acura is on a 5 year model change interval.

if you predict 4 years, they're already working on a new model line up...

Stew4HD

Does this mean we won't see you turning blue while holding your breath waiting on a Type-S?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

if they do come out with one, it has to be on time with the MMC, mid model refresh/change.
2 years instead of 3-4.

for those that are wondering the GT TSX and the GT TL always finished in top 5, always a winner. always.
yet, they still didnt release a type-s variant.

we know that History repeats itself.
although, acura has retained the lead designer from the 3G, so it's possible that the future can be changed.

vbx

That would be awesome. To get a type S, you have to get a manual. This makes it a very unique car and will have high resale value.

KeithL

They have not sold a single DoDo oh wait RLX SH-SH-AWD yet, and that does not really have a Sporty Image other than the Techy drive train. The GT is for show. I have preached this before, if they want to be a sports sedan they need a sports sedan model, Lexus F Sport, BMW M3/4/5/, Audi S3/4/5/6/8/, CTS S-Sport CTS-V, etc., etc., etc. All the competitors offer a Sport model(s), sure some are more show than go, but still they realize there is a market for this. Even Lexus came around and was pleasantly surprised by the take rate of the F Sport models.

Colin

I suspect that even if they could reuse the old 6 speed manual transmission, the real cost is EPA certification and keeping parts in the channel for X number of years after the vehicle goes out of production.

On the second point, I think the evidence points exactly 180°. By making the current product more luxury focused they have "cleared the decks" for a sportier line. Conservative wheel and tire choices, detuned RLX engine, hidden exhausts and the subtle hints that they could do a performance variant make me believe it could be in the cards.