My p-chop from a while back. I think my post was deleted, I don't know why, probably Brenda Piddy copyright issue.

 

I guess that's why there was no news at the Geneva show, not even the current Legend. AWD only still seems to me like a bad idea but as most makers have found out there's only so much power you can have and keep FWD. I wonder why Honda is so against a RWD platform?

 

Search for RWD...there are tons and tons of threads on the subject. It's an age old argument. And let's not turn this thread into another one. I'm really anxious to see the new RL in person...but I hope the AWD split is a little more balanced than 70/30.

 

We'll know a ton of details in about a month

 

Actually, the gas engine powering the front wheels and an electric motor powering the rear is a great idea. Electric motors develop the most torque at low RPMs, making them ideal for launch, since weight is distributed to the rear during launch. At highway cruise, the gas engine will be doing all the work to the front wheels, giving you the control and responsiveness of FWD. The only time FWD is a liability is during launch and extreme turning, which is when the IMA would kick in anyway.

 

Like I said in this thread, it would be very difficult to seperate the gas engine from the electric motors because of the control involved. As far as I know there are no hybrid powertrains out there where the gas engine is not somehow directly linked to the electric motors (that's why it's called IMA - Integrated motor assist).
And again, a FWD gas engine would mean the president of Honda was either lying or did not know what he was talking about when he specifically said last fall that the Legend/RL will NOT be FWD.

 

No spy pics yet?
Anybody in Ohio?

A member at TOV said Ohioans should look
out for test mules in disguise, around there parts.
Also in S. Cali.

 

I doubt you would see anything around Ohio. The RL is made in Japan and more than likely will be tested around CA or maybe even Europe (maybe around Nurburing). It seems like Honda has succesfully hidden this thing like Lexus did with the GS. I still can't get over the fact that not a single picture of the new GS got out before the debut in Detroit on Jan 6 even though it was obviously in the country somewhere.

 

Well, thankfully for me, I'll see it at the NYIAS.
Upfront!

 

vince from hollywoodextra? that site is crap, i don't think that guy knows anything.

 

Based on rumors, here's my prediction of the 2005 RL:

1. V6 3.5L 300hp (with decent torque will not need more hp than that for good balance of performance/economy in their luxury car)
2. AWD but no IMA (I just don't think Acura will want to chance this on their flagship, more likely to develop on their Honda hybrids and move up from there)
3. Judicious use of thin chrome-surrounded grill with pencil-thin bars coming from the center Acura logo. I just hope that they realize the thick matte silver bars will not fly on the RL flagship (it barely looks OK on the TL!)
4. Real wood
5. XM/CD/MP3/Nav/Bluetooth all standard (no need to go with Nav as an option here as 95% will opt for anyway and it just would lead to twice the inventory to ship non-navs)
6. 10 spoke 17" wheels (or 5 with double spokes)
7. Generous use of weight reducing aluminum in the hood,roof, trunk lid and maybe in the frame.
8. 114" wheelbase, 192" length with short overhangs, shortened trunk with a "built-in" lip spoiler (ala Lexus LS). TL looks, just a little bigger, rounder edges and shallower crease down the side.
9. $48,000 MSRP

How do I know this stuff?... I don't, just wishful thinking. What do you think?

 

I think you're very close. I don't know the real thing either, but up to now, the list you posted seem more valid than a lot of the earlier rumors and speculations.

 

there was a recent test drive in the RL in California that all of the higher archy from Honda Canada attended. Why no pics?
has anyone else heard anything about this?

 

copy and paste from recent edmunds board:

#270 of 271 2005 Honda Legend/ RL by mason11 Mar 15, 2004 (1:22 am)
I saw a photo of Japanese 2005 Honda Legend / Acura RL with 3.5L V6 and 4WD. When it was tested in Germany the result was close to GT-R.
I have a scanned photo of the car, how can I post it here?

 

I just hope it's not that same Audi photochop that was shown from autospies months ago.

 

I've been checking back there so many times and that mason guy still hasn't responded. I hate when people tease like that.

 

Well he finally uploaded it. I am witholding comments because I'm pretty sure it's 1) a photoshop and 2) I think I saw this pic somewhere before. [Edit: Why yes, I do believe it's the same photochopped Audi/TL pic that we've seen before]

Acura RL (supposedly)(scroll all the way to the bottom to see his post)

 

I've seen this pic before. It's a bad photoshop of an audi/TL.
It just doesn't look right. Time will tell.