Dan Martin

Those are all very good points and I like your research into 0-60 times.

The MDX is a very nice SUV and you're absolutely right about the target market. I imagine that the towing ability is limited not only by the engine but also by the driveline/brakes. The MDX is great as a city SUV but anyone thinking to do more than towing a SeaDoo to the lake should look elsewhere. The MDX was never made to haul an 8,000# trailer but that's OK because there are plenty of other trucks in that market. Personally I've never been in a truck that could haul 8,000# that I would want as a daily driver.

The MDX would benefit more from a hybrid engine than a V8.

If Honda is working on a V8 it's probably for the new Honda SUT (whatever it's called) http://www.hondapreview.com/sut/
Most people won't even consider a pickup if it doesn't have a V8 these days.

dom

I want a V8 in my TSX.

mg7726

go away, no v8 for you!!

TdotSSTSX

Honda SUT and Pilot could use the V8 to compete in the "truck" market like Toyota. If you want to lead sales in the North American market, it's unavoidable. Look at Toyota, now number 2 in the world for sales. It's a combination of Hybrid's (which American companies said didn't make sense financially yet) and truck sales.

I don't see shut off technology as being needed, because I don't see Honda putting a V8 in a sedan (at least not yet!)

Domn, I'm with you on the V8 TSX, kind of like the IS430 Steve Millen put together....

Dan Martin

Can you imagine what the Mustang guys would have to say about that?

I think we might have a little torque steer issue with a FWD V8. :P

TSX + V8 + SHAWD = wet dream.

98AccordEx

Sure Toyota and Lexus have V8 power in some of their trucks and pickups but I believe they also have maintained frame design for those trucks. Don't the Land Cruiser/LX470 and Forerunner/GX470 have frames? The frame design is necessary for towing power and that's the only reason for a V8 in a truck. I'll take 20+ highway mpg over towing capacity any day.
It suits my needs better.

TSX 'R' US

You mean:
"I think we might have a little torque steer issue with a FWD V8." right?

1SICKLEX

With Toyota/Nissan using V-8s and hybrid technology and Toyota going to use V-10s in the future and with the Germans almost over doing it with their engines and power, Acura will be for the nice people that just don't get it.

AcuraFan

I don't get it.

:P

Stokeless_TSX

hmmm not gonna happen just a BS rumor

provench

I love this ... we get hybrids and what do we think? AWESOME ... now we can have V-8's and V-10's with 25 MPG! It's just amusing to me ... in a disappointing kind of way.

gocubsgo55

hey honda already has some of the best if not THE best 4 and 6 bangers already. I'd LOVE to see an MDX, NSX, and maybe even an RL with v8 options. But if they do give consumers this option, they should do it themselves, no engine trade deal with anyone else. Best thing would be two 2.2L s2000 engines working together to make a 4.4L, 480 hp double inline-4 . Man would that be cool, and save on v8 production.

kurt_bradley

MMM...flat-plane crank Honda V8...

Too bad the post is total

jackspat2

Well, if Acura or Honda came out with a V8, it would definately have to be fuel efficient and be better than competing V8s to actually show a good solid profit from it; kind of like what Honda is doing with its current engines. So, if they're going to do it, I say make it good.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

As far as I can recall, Honda/Acura has never said it wouldn't produce a V8, but rather that it wouldn't produce one unless they could achieve V8 power with V6 fuel economy. Using the cylinder shut-off technology would be the best means of achieving this goal. Of course, a V8 in the next NSX would be nice. So would the addition of the V8 as an option for the RL and MDX. Maybe even a new car at the top of the spectrum larger than the RL with a V8 as the base engine and a hybrid as an option.

Precision Crafted

Toyota and Nissan do use truck frames. Honda's "trucks" use a modified Ody platform. V8 or no V8 Honda would have to develope a full frame and I will not hold my breath on that one.

Other then the enviro issue I'm not sure why Honda will not put a V8 into a production car. Having it as an option in the RL would be good for those who want the low end power. For the MDX/Pilot/SUT it would work just to say that it's there.

While the new RL may be a nice car will it give all of the bells and whistles of the new M35 or E320. I doubt it. Will adding V8 options start making people take Acura seriously? I doubt it. Acura needs to sell image. The Lexus LS doesn't scream "I have a 290 Hp V8." It screams soft leather, lots of wood panels, accident avoidance availability, and Smart Key to name a few. Acura has one good advertisement on TL discussing Bluetooth and the Navi. They need to start talking about the ELS.

If anything, a V8 will get people to shut up. RWD is out of the question if SH-AWD is all that is promised (I believe it is and will). The only car that may need a V8 is the NSX. Why not put in a 4.0L i-VETC V6.

sauceman

666cc combustion chambers is too large for efficiently pulling high end performance. 4liters would be pretty much the highest displacement, even for a V8, unless Honda would choose to change their philosphy about sports engines, and decide to introduce big breathing, low revving big displacement engines, but I don't see this happening.

Gotta admit that despite the fact that Honda is achieving very well in their specialty, they do seem to have their minds closed shut towards different ways of doing things. (RWD, FI, V8, low-revving, torquey engines, etc)

heyitsme

Rather see them bring a diesel over, buy that before a v8.

heyitsme

I don't think so, seems like every generation of cars they bring out, the rev limit comes down and down because thats what buyers want, civic si comes to mind, 04 s2000, etc.

sauceman

True, but Honda are still waay up above average as far as engine revs are concerned. I cannot see the day when Honda is going to start building 427-like engines, save from the pushrod setup.

acfanatic

I think the tC has a much smoother, more sophisticated look than the Celica. I really like the design of the tC. It has a smaller engine, but there is this:

"For added performance, a dealer-installed supercharger package developed by Toyota Racing Development will be offered later in the year. The turn-key performance option with an output of approximately 200 horsepower can be purchased with the vehicle, or added later."

It would probably still lose to a Celica, but I would trade a few tenths of a second for the look and price of this car. I especially like the almost all-glass roof.

acfanatic

(I still wouldn't trade in my TSX)

Precision Crafted

If I remember straight, the Civic is suppose to move upscale. Corolla's can be very nice if one opts for all available options. I see a possible (style wise) threat to the Civic is the Mazda 3. Small yes but very stylish and has features not seen in the price range like Xenon lights and Navi. Now, I can see Navi being added to the Civic before Xenon lights.

I also remember reading that the next Si will be a coupe not a hatch and will return the Civic back to it's glory days. The Civic will move up a notch or two but not take the Accords place like the Altima did to the Maxima.

tuan209

TC looks nice. Im actually considering trading in my TSX for a Pirus or a Civic Si at the moment.

xizor

God will smite you if you do. You like the weird wagon look?

Revenent

The only thing I'm going to trade the TSX in for would be a full-sized engine hybrid TSX.

tuan209

hahaha.. no. its just that my tsx AC just went out and im kinda pissed. also i have 3 years left before i graduate, and i dont really need an exp. car. im even thinkin about just picking up a cheap used civic and a lil bike. at this stage in my life i really dont care all that much about cars.

xizor

so how'd you end up w/ a TSX if you don't like it exactly? thread jack!

tuan209

i like my tsx ALOT. i just dont think i need it right now. it was a present from my parents when i got into med school.

heyitsme

Umm, why does the tsx need awd? It has no power. The tl has torque steer and that is a no no for luxury cars, it needs awd.

kansaiwalker1

I'd prefer AWD on the TL. Until the TSX gets a real engine I can't get too excited about an AWD TSX. An Acura FX fighter would be cool if the rumour is actually true.

titan

I agree. That's my point... if the TSX gets AWD, it needs an engine upgrade. Ofcourse the TL needs it more... as you said, torque steer is a definite no no.

cusdaddy

An AWD TSX wouldn't be too exciting or preferable at all IMO. It will just add weight and drivetrain loss, so it will make an auto version pretty damn slow. If it was a RWD car to begin with, it would make more sense, but the FWD TSX is pretty good in the snow.

An AWD TL would be a great idea though

nandowong

do they make a manual sh-awd?

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

wasn't there a NSX concept that utilized this? it had 300 hp at the front two wheels and two electic motors putting out 50 hp at each rear wheel or something like that?

Rod

You mean the DN-X or DualNote.
http://cars.ign.com/articles/384/384725p1.html
I don't think that's the same as SH-AWD though.

gavriil

Hondas to get a grip - -Source: Autocar


Honda’s clever 4x4 system, showcased on next year’s new Legend, will be shared with models across its range, the company announced last week. The SH-AWD system, which improves balance and grip, is geared towards high-powered models. One possible use could be for the next-generation NSX, whose future is up for debate.

The company will also build diesel engines in the UK for the first time with the 2.2-litre CDT-i for the CR-V, to be made at its Swindon plant from late next year. Together with output from Japan, this will give the company and annual capability of 75,000 diesels for the CR-V, Accord and next-generation Civic models.

gavriil

Now combine the above with this and it all makes sense. Again, remember, the TSX is the Accord in Europe. Could we even see SHAWD in a Civic and the RSX?

cusdaddy

Very interesting, but I'd only be excited if the TL, next NSX (if one does come out) and a higher powered RSX have it. TSX, Accord or Civic don't really need it at their current power levels.

1SICKLEX

That is good news.