Acura: Development and Technology News
10-20-2008, 03:08 AM
#1161
That's Racist
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Considering this will be a brand-new engine from Honda, it will probably be one of the most technologically advanced V8's in the world. The comment that this V8 is meant to bridge the gap between V6 and V10 is a good indication that this engine will be in the 400hp range. With all Acura V6's being in the 300hp range now and the upcoming V10 in the 500+ hp range, 400+ hp only makes sense. Most of the competition V8's are still under 400hp. If this engine debuts with 400hp+, it will still at least be on par with the competition even if they do upgrade their engines in the next two years. This is something that Acura has been putting off for over 20 years. No way they will be taking any shortcuts now that they are finally devoted to it.
though a 400hp v8 would be dope, i think it will start out at 350hp or so, and continue to grow and upgrade with newer models and refreshes
10-20-2008, 05:28 AM
#1162
Race Director
That's all well and good but I still say it won't do squat for sales with the current gen look cars. You could have a 500HP engine that gets 25 MPG in the current RL and it still won't sell.
10-20-2008, 07:11 AM
#1163
Senior Moderator
Now they need to change the style of the cars to something that someone would want V6 OR V8
10-20-2008, 09:57 AM
#1166
Senior Moderator
Perfect timing for this announcement.
10-20-2008, 10:34 AM
#1167
The sizzle in the Steak
Good move....decades too late...but ok...a V8....Now design a halfway decent looking line of cars.
10-20-2008, 11:14 AM
#1168
Well if I had the money, and the RL (before the heinous refresh) had a 500hp engine that gest 25mpg, I'd be all over it.
10-20-2008, 11:19 AM
#1169
Senior Moderator
Terrific news...now, put this sucker in a car that LOOKS good, please.
10-20-2008, 11:57 AM
#1172
The sizzle in the Steak
10-20-2008, 12:37 PM
#1173
Pro
If only they did this 10 year ago.
Anyway, better late than never. Let's hope it's efficient. Unfortunately Honda's latest V6 engines are not that efficient.
Is Honda working on turbos? It seems that would be a great way to improve both power and efficiency.
Anyway, better late than never. Let's hope it's efficient. Unfortunately Honda's latest V6 engines are not that efficient.
Is Honda working on turbos? It seems that would be a great way to improve both power and efficiency.
10-20-2008, 09:21 PM
#1176
Suzuka Master
What took them so damn long to realize? Now that those are great news, it's time to NICELY execute it. In a nice car with a nice grill.
10-20-2008, 09:24 PM
#1177
Ink hasn't dried yet. It might be V8 in a FWD....notice no mention of a RWD architecture
10-20-2008, 09:52 PM
#1178
The sizzle in the Steak
10-20-2008, 09:56 PM
#1179
You never know...look at the power plenum grille.
BTW I saw a new TL on the road, and no, I don't think any better in person, which normally is the case with Acuras.
BTW I saw a new TL on the road, and no, I don't think any better in person, which normally is the case with Acuras.
is it 2012 yet? 
10-21-2008, 01:55 AM
#1183
Considering this will be a brand-new engine from Honda, it will probably be one of the most technologically advanced V8's in the world. The comment that this V8 is meant to bridge the gap between V6 and V10 is a good indication that this engine will be in the 400hp range. With all Acura V6's being in the 300hp range now and the upcoming V10 in the 500+ hp range, 400+ hp only makes sense. Most of the competition V8's are still under 400hp. If this engine debuts with 400hp+, it will still at least be on par with the competition even if they do upgrade their engines in the next two years. This is something that Acura has been putting off for over 20 years. No way they will be taking any shortcuts now that they are finally devoted to it.
10-21-2008, 06:46 AM
#1184
Race Director
Interesting, talk of adding a V8 option to the next "NSX" too.
http://www.motorauthority.com/acura-...-v8-power.html
http://www.motorauthority.com/acura-...-v8-power.html
10-21-2008, 07:44 AM
#1185
Senior Moderator
Doesn't matter if its technologically superior.... what matters in the end is reliability, dyno numbers and real-world performance. Its hard to guess what the V8 will actually put out since Honda has never created a production V8 before. Over 400 horsepower is wishful thinking at best. Maybe some years down the line, they'll continue to develop the V8 and possibly cascade the 400 hp mark. I doubt they'll go out guns blazing and offer a 400+ bhp V8 in the RL. If the rumors of a V8 option in the NSX are true (which I also doubt) then maybe it'll have more than 400, but in the RL? Don't know about that....
10-21-2008, 08:32 AM
#1186
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I don't see much good in this news really. Here are my thoughts:
1. Now that everyone is gas-consumption-sensitive, now Honda goes up in displacement and number of cylinders? I assume this will not be a 3.7L V8 but of larger displacement. I am thinking more like 4.5L or so.
2. Now that everyone is downsizing in displacement and adding forced induction, Honda goes against those principles?
3. One and a half years from now the engine will be available (about 7 to 10 years too late IMO) and it sounds like there possibly wont there be a car available to use it in. So what are you gonna do with an engine? Plus even if you use it in the current TL and RL, will it really matter much sales-wise?
4. Instead of focusing on fuel cell tech, alternative fuel tech in general, why the energy in a streamline tech of the past (and there is really nothing wrong with a V8 option), tech which sould have been available a long time ago.
5. The only good thing I see, is that now that Acura is going AWD on anything really powerful, this added power and torque of this larger future engine will be used efficiently.
1. Now that everyone is gas-consumption-sensitive, now Honda goes up in displacement and number of cylinders? I assume this will not be a 3.7L V8 but of larger displacement. I am thinking more like 4.5L or so.
2. Now that everyone is downsizing in displacement and adding forced induction, Honda goes against those principles?
3. One and a half years from now the engine will be available (about 7 to 10 years too late IMO) and it sounds like there possibly wont there be a car available to use it in. So what are you gonna do with an engine? Plus even if you use it in the current TL and RL, will it really matter much sales-wise?
4. Instead of focusing on fuel cell tech, alternative fuel tech in general, why the energy in a streamline tech of the past (and there is really nothing wrong with a V8 option), tech which sould have been available a long time ago.
5. The only good thing I see, is that now that Acura is going AWD on anything really powerful, this added power and torque of this larger future engine will be used efficiently.
10-21-2008, 08:35 AM
#1187
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Guys I am sure we will see at least 375 if not more power off of a V8 from Honda. Their usual philosophy of most-power-appearing-at-the-higher-rpm-range will be followed on any engine they produce, with the only possible exception of forced induction (and even that is a questionmark).
10-21-2008, 08:43 AM
#1188
Senior Moderator
And lets hope this doesn't stall plans on a all new V6 and new tranny. If those plans existed in the first place. A Dual clutch is a must IMO.
10-21-2008, 12:18 PM
#1189
10-21-2008, 12:57 PM
#1190
Drifting
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lol
10-21-2008, 04:01 PM
#1192
Race Director
10-21-2008, 06:56 PM
#1194
Senior Moderator
Doesn't matter if its technologically superior.... what matters in the end is reliability, dyno numbers and real-world performance. Its hard to guess what the V8 will actually put out since Honda has never created a production V8 before. Over 400 horsepower is wishful thinking at best. Maybe some years down the line, they'll continue to develop the V8 and possibly cascade the 400 hp mark. I doubt they'll go out guns blazing and offer a 400+ bhp V8 in the RL. If the rumors of a V8 option in the NSX are true (which I also doubt) then maybe it'll have more than 400, but in the RL? Don't know about that....
10-21-2008, 09:07 PM
#1195
You'll Never Walk Alone
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I think people here believe (or used to believe) that a V8 is necessary to boost brand image even if the gas price is high. Yet I see people complaining why make a V8 now......people asked for it...if they don't make the V8 now, even at $3-$4/gallon (well it's getting lower now anyways...), people will keep on saying Acura is not a tier-1 brand.
I think someone asked why Honda is not developing fuel cell tech. I don't know if Honda is actually working on that, but during a thermo lecture at school my prof said fuel cell is a bad idea for cars...companies are still researching on it because of politics. Don't ask me why fuel cell is not suitable for cars though...the prof didn't explain to us...
I think someone asked why Honda is not developing fuel cell tech. I don't know if Honda is actually working on that, but during a thermo lecture at school my prof said fuel cell is a bad idea for cars...companies are still researching on it because of politics. Don't ask me why fuel cell is not suitable for cars though...the prof didn't explain to us...
10-22-2008, 06:31 AM
#1196
Race Director
I think someone asked why Honda is not developing fuel cell tech. I don't know if Honda is actually working on that, but during a thermo lecture at school my prof said fuel cell is a bad idea for cars...companies are still researching on it because of politics. Don't ask me why fuel cell is not suitable for cars though...the prof didn't explain to us...
10-22-2008, 07:54 AM
#1197
Oderint dum metuant.
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This is what I'm talking about...large engine, small car. The s2k would be good, too. Why does it always seem that the large engine gets put into a large car? 
If it is in a small car (M3, RS4), it's one with limited production, making the price unreasonably high. Large engine, small car, mass produced...is that too much to ask?
If it is in a small car (M3, RS4), it's one with limited production, making the price unreasonably high. Large engine, small car, mass produced...is that too much to ask?
10-25-2008, 12:03 PM
#1199
Senior Moderator
Finally... and it's about time...
While gas prices are coming down from record highs to more affordable pricing now, even if gas prices spike again, there will always be a market for people who want a v-8 in a rwd luxury car. If Acura wants to hedge there bets, just make a v6 standard, with the v8 optional. Even if not many acuras are ordered with a v8, just the idea that you can get one if you want will improve the brands luxury image
While gas prices are coming down from record highs to more affordable pricing now, even if gas prices spike again, there will always be a market for people who want a v-8 in a rwd luxury car. If Acura wants to hedge there bets, just make a v6 standard, with the v8 optional. Even if not many acuras are ordered with a v8, just the idea that you can get one if you want will improve the brands luxury image
10-25-2008, 02:48 PM
#1200
Punk Rocker
Finally... and it's about time...
While gas prices are coming down from record highs to more affordable pricing now, even if gas prices spike again, there will always be a market for people who want a v-8 in a rwd luxury car. If Acura wants to hedge there bets, just make a v6 standard, with the v8 optional. Even if not many acuras are ordered with a v8, just the idea that you can get one if you want will improve the brands luxury image
While gas prices are coming down from record highs to more affordable pricing now, even if gas prices spike again, there will always be a market for people who want a v-8 in a rwd luxury car. If Acura wants to hedge there bets, just make a v6 standard, with the v8 optional. Even if not many acuras are ordered with a v8, just the idea that you can get one if you want will improve the brands luxury image