Tony Pac

If Acura builds a TLX - Sport Type with a new engine 400+HP, AWD, sport suspensions, manual, 20 inch tires and body kit. Do you think it can compete with cars like BMW M, Lexus F and MB AMG?

Of course it will be more expensive but do you think it will sell?

NBP04TL4ME

Hard to say for sure until it becomes a reality , but if it is executed properly it certainly could. I'm going to bet based on other posts I've recently read here on AZ expressing disappointment in the TLX, most others will say no

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

so, you're just making up shit?

BEAR-AvHistory

Maybe with 450+ horsepower & under sell the others by $10K. That is provided it drives as well as the others & don't forget to add in the Jaguar, Audi & new Caddy V to the mix.

I don't think the Lexus RC-F is selling that well, could be wrong. Its a very tough market segment to crack.

Better shot would be in the 330-350 horsepower low $50K BMW M-Sport type package but a non M/AMG etc range

weather

^^ I agree. I think Acura would be lot more successful at selling something like this if it bumped the power to 330-350, put a sportier fascia from the factory, sexy wheels, keep the tires at 19 inches, put a manual tranny and keep the price under control.

Acura could not draw buyers from BMW M or Mercedes AMG but what it needs to do is offer something compelling to prevent loyal and enthusiast Acura owners to defect to these other brands.

For me, a slight bump in power, a nice bodykit, nicer wheels, a stick, less of the nanny stuff, a bump in price and I am in....Again, I want a car that is fun to drive, not one that drives itself. It is not rocket science....come on Acura....where is your DNA?

Stew4HD

I think it would not help as much by having such a car, at least not right away. Acura has pretty much lost this segment to the Germans, Lexus and Infiniti. They sat back far too long.

That does not mean that Acura shouldn't make a run at the big boys and be a player. If they do it right, we never know. Buyers are fickle and the "flavor of the day" changes. Acura just needs to have a flavor to pick from!

CARLOS10

Ive ever belive a limited edition will make a better job than a production S model.
Honda formula I return is a good theme along with the NSX launch.
People like limited editions models , a run of 500 will sold like hotcakes.

JT4

Especially with pricing. If Acura does an "S" and prices it over $60K they won't sell many..

CheeseyPoofs McNut

Don't know about that but I'm interested in the NSX reveal today. If the NSX is *killer* it will help the battered Acura image and open the door for any sport versions of the TLX/ILX/RLX.

kongx7

I don't think acura will make a type S with 400+ hp. At most, they'll make a "type S" model with a 3.7L V6 like the 4g TL, but again that may be unlikely as the new 9speed V6 looks like something they'll build off of. if they do pop in a new/bigger engine, they'll likely output around 315-320hp only.

IMO, Acura will never be a competitor with Lexus, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes... And i think they're OK with that fact!

Nexx

its like all the wannabe's crying for acura to build a super car while they are still in their 15 year old cl/tl and cant afford them anyways.

csmeance

With the NSX unveiled I'd imagine a Sport Hybrid eSHAWD TLX to come out to replace the regular SH-AWD model or it'll probably be sold as a TLX-S. An extra 60-70HP from the two rear motors plus a third will have it at RL Sport Hybrid Levels.

Kense

Considering Infiniti just announced they will be going with a new smaller 3 liter twin turbo engine that will probably produce 400+ HP they better do something. That engine will eventually go into a different trim of the Q50 after it debut's in the 60. The Q50 Hybrid already kills the TLX in performance. Lexus already passed them with the F, Now infiniti has officially passed them.

Nedmundo

I agree with Weather and BEAR about a proper TLX Type-S with the V6 and SH-AWD, and where it would fit in the market.

But I'd also like to see an I4 Type-S, somewhat analogous to the TSX SE. It would be FWD to keep weight down, and have a body kit, slightly tighter suspension, retuned steering for better feel, 6MT available, and maybe some unique colors. Ideally it would get a power bump too, though I'm not sure how much could be wrung from the 2.4 while preserving the "luxury" part of the equation. Sure would be a good place to introduce a VTEC turbo four of about 220-240 hp, with a nice fat torque band! (Yes, I still miss my Saab 9-5 Aero and want Acura to build a new, improved version. Is that so wrong? )

weather

^^ Not so wrong at all. If they go turbo 4, would it be more fun if they put that Euro Civic engine and crank the output to 260-270 or so.

vbx

Very doubtful. Just the TLX doesn't scream sports Sedan like a F Sport, M or AMG.

Which is why I now don't care that it doesn't come with a manual. I mean, it's a Family Sedan. And Acura knows it.

2012wagon

really??????

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

2012wagon

I think the new NSX isn't selling well either

kongx7

I can agree. Starting price around $150,000??? That's too high. I understand it has a lot of tech features, but that price is pushing into Ferrari land.
(NSX looks badass though.)

silverTL6

iTrader: (2)

Or maybe we're hanging onto those cars b/c Acura hasn't given us anything worth upgrading to?

Pretty sure those of us posting in the TLX forum can in fact afford them, otherwise we'd still be hanging out in the 3G forum talking about body kits and exhausts

Stew4HD

BEAR-AvHistory

So far Nov/Dec 2014 900 to 1000 units a month for the whole RC series. Volume will ramp up but what portion of it will be the RC-F is unknown.

Don't know the M3/4 share of its series but in the same time frame the whole 3/4 series sold 34,000 units (equal to the TL4G annual production). Also 50% of the global M3/4 series sales are in the US.

So yeah the RC-F has a long way to go.

For the NSX success I think the big question is how much will the 600+HP carbon fiber FORD GT cost.

JonfromCB

First, it's theoretical. It doesn't exist, so it can't compete. Second, Acura has more than enough to iron out with this model before consumers are going to pay the additional $20K for a version of this model that has a reliability and performance record that can compete with the well established competition that already exists in the category.

Stew4HD

^ That's odd, I don't see much of anything major Acura needs to iron out with the TLX.

Nexx

this might not pertain to you but the good majority of the "enthusiasts" here can never make up their minds. they want something competes with the M series and AMG series and want it for under 60k.... you cant freakin have both. so acura is in a lose lose situation. build something inferior for less and they get bashed, they build something equal or better and charge as much no one buys them. our "enthusiasts" are some of the most illogical bunch of car owners. they tend to love everything else everyone else makes, love their current or previous acuras but hate on anything including the new NSX that acura brings out. its unbelievable. 2G, 3G TL owners are of teh most arrogant car owners ever. they think their cars were made by gods hands. no matter what acura comes out with their cars will always be superior. its mind boggling.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Just make a detuned version of the twin-turbo V6 from the NSX and that should be more than enough. haha!

TheAcAvenger

I don't think anyone is going to cross shop a TLX-S with a M/AMG/RS/V anything. I think the type-S should compete with the 335/C450/S4. I don't think that's too farfetched nor would it be too expensive... especially if Infiniti is really about to trot out a twin turbo V6 for the Q60/Q80

JonfromCB

You are right, there are quite a disproportional number of defensive Acura owners with no objectivity or ability to recognize faults or shortcomings, especially with the TLX.
No one can compare what they haven't experienced if they don't own or have not owned several other competing makes simultaneously. Transmission problems, vibrations, poor tire choice, understeer, contact point feel/steering feedback, climate control issues and poor sound system are just a few of the things that start to stand out after a month of ownership that just can't be assessed and sorted out during two or three test drives. Read the threads, this car has more than it's fair share of issues. Not to mention a razor sharp vent reflection directly in the middle of the side mirror. No other manufacturer would have put that on the showroom floor.
Acura has a reputation for building some very reliable cars at very affordable price points. It also has a reputation for poor roll-outs by bringing models to market before they are ready.

CheeseyPoofs McNut

I think this is an "Internet Message Board" phenomenon whereby a handful of posters make a lot of noise and somehow delude themselves into believing they're part of some valuable focus group because there are others on the same board who feel as they do and collectively they're mad and make a lot of self righteous noise.

The reality is that Acura really doesn't give a crap about them because they're in the business of selling cars and they can't worry about the 1% who puff their virtual chests on the Internet - but rather they need to aim for the 99% of regular car buyers who just want a nice car that meets their needs and don't give a rats arse about the zero to sixty time or exposed exhaust tips.

There is zero science involved there. People generally don't seek out a Internet forum to say how much they love the supportive seats in their new car - they complain about stuff. Go on any car forum and guess what - you'll see people post about issues with their cars. Every. Single. One.

That's not to say there aren't issues - every car has them and every new release has more of them - but that doesn't mean the sky is falling or the car is inherently flawed or Acura has lost their way.

TheAcAvenger

I don't know Cheesey... I think there are a lot of factors at play. I've seen quite a few car forums that are basically circle jerks over the car with no negative posts. E90post was certainly like that when 8 years ago when I was about to buy the 335, the S3 forums i've been browsing are much like that. GTRLife is certainly like that. I highly doubt E90post would've been such a happy place if e46fanatics members could just hop on and give their . I think acurazine is unique in that it's a pretty huge board with all the generations easily being able to hop between forums... it breeds criticism that often gets perceived, correctly or incorrectly as trolling. I've seen similar negativity on the 3g section of my.is (the lexus IS forum) and the q50 threads on myg37. There are a lot more factors at play other than "people only post when they have something to complain about".

I also feel like acurazine is generally just a more mature, tolerable audience than a lot of other car forums. People who used to own acuras tend to hang out here long after their acuras are gone. People who own acuras probably also own them for longer periods, so we're still around when new generations come and go.

One last thing i'd like to mention is that acura seems to be a whole lot more tight lipped and secretive about everything they're going to do than any other car manufacturer i've encountered. People looking for the next acura advancement cant do much else but come to threads and talk about what a tlx type-s should be. Bimmerpost has had leaks of bmw's upcoming revamped I6TT (340/440i) and the new I4 (330/430) for 6 months now and those engines aren't debutting for another year. There's no need to sit around and speculate. What else are us fanboys supposed to do but sit here and argue over what acura should do?

It's an interesting dynamic, but I think for every troll, there's someone who is equally annoying by being overly sensitive to criticism.

Stew4HD

Indeed! I noticed that some have never stopped complaining about the TLX. One guy (we know who he is) that swore he'd never buy one because he was getting "jerked" around/lied to about delivery times by more than one salesman and Acura Customer Relations. He bought one and has not stopped complaining about it since. I think some people just love to complain! It's too bad, we only get one chance at this life, why not enjoy it? *shrug*

I guess we are supposed to not be happy with the car and always be looking for something wrong, even to the point of making up things that don't work in the way the driver wanted it to but still works as intended.

As you said, wise one, the 1% will continue to puff their chests and never be happy, no matter what Acura does.

Quandry

Don't tell my car 'cause it may decide that it no longer has to be near perfect and should join the party of dis-functional cars.

Excellent assessment. I am firmly in that 99% bracket and have no complaints.

KeithL

Not going to happen, especially with all the focus on the NSX. Best we might see is a 300-310HP TLX Type-S with some suspension and cosmetic enhancements.

saturno_v

Forget the Hybrid...a regular Q50 (and even the renamed G37, the Q40) kills a TLX in performance.

Stew4HD

If you are talking straight line yes, handling, NO! Nice try though. As long as you don't need to stop and turn, you win

saturno_v

How do you know?? Took them on a track?? The TLX has taken a nose dive when it comes to handling compared to the 4G. To say that I did find the TLX I tested (V6 FWD) "uninspired" on the road is an understatement.

TacoBello

Well I'm glad you finally figured it out. Make sure to tell all your online friends, while you're at it.

Now excuse me while I go drive God's chariot. Uh, er, I mean, my 3G.

2012wagon

RLX-H owners are quite arrogant..you should read some of the stuff they write...

Kense

Huh? The Q is a great handling car.