Acura: Development and Technology News
12-01-2008, 07:53 PM
#1242
6G TLX-S
A 7-speed or 8-speed transmission will definitely make the V8 more efficient (and the car faster). But with a 5-speed, forget it.
12-02-2008, 06:20 AM
#1243
Originally Posted by fsttyms1
There is no reason a V8 couldn't be efficient
I'm sorry though but GM's LS series is hands down the best compromise (if you can call it that) between power and efficiency. I'm sorry but as great of an engine maker as Honda is, the day that they make a 450+ lb/ft V8 that averages 20 mpg is the day that hell freezes over.
12-02-2008, 07:13 AM
#1244
Race Director
12-02-2008, 08:10 AM
#1245
12-02-2008, 09:13 AM
#1246
Audi's V8, V10 and V12 are not RWD platforms at the moment if I'm correct...
the RWD platform works great and for 4cy as for 6cy cars and so on. BMW learns.
And I don't think that with the new 3 litres engines of Infiniti, BMW and Audi (326 and 330 hp of max. output, and very good torque) you miss so much a V8 engine.
I feel that we miss more a V6 Turbo diesel for the Acura range SUV's than a V8.
12-02-2008, 10:38 AM
#1247
The sizzle in the Steak
why a guarantee?
Audi's V8, V10 and V12 are not RWD platforms at the moment if I'm correct...
the RWD platform works great and for 4cy as for 6cy cars and so on. BMW learns.
And I don't think that with the new 3 litres engines of Infiniti, BMW and Audi (326 and 330 hp of max. output, and very good torque) you miss so much a V8 engine.
I feel that we miss more a V6 Turbo diesel for the Acura range SUV's than a V8.
Audi's V8, V10 and V12 are not RWD platforms at the moment if I'm correct...
the RWD platform works great and for 4cy as for 6cy cars and so on. BMW learns.
And I don't think that with the new 3 litres engines of Infiniti, BMW and Audi (326 and 330 hp of max. output, and very good torque) you miss so much a V8 engine.
I feel that we miss more a V6 Turbo diesel for the Acura range SUV's than a V8.
RWD is the answer. Sure it could also be AWD...but hopefully with RW bias.
Not to mention cost wise there would probably have been AWD models and RWD models....just like Merc, BMW, Infiniti..etc.
12-02-2008, 02:21 PM
#1248
Pro
As shown in several articles about the impact of the economic crisis on the auto industry, everyone is scrambling to build cars that can sell and sustain their lifeline. Honda's Nov. sales dropped 30%, like everyone else.
The window of opportunity for V8s to make profit for Honda/Acura has long passed. Nobody is going to sell many cars with V8s these days.
And I don't think fuel cell is the answer for the future either. Maybe the MINI E?
The window of opportunity for V8s to make profit for Honda/Acura has long passed. Nobody is going to sell many cars with V8s these days.
And I don't think fuel cell is the answer for the future either. Maybe the MINI E?
12-02-2008, 02:56 PM
#1249
The sizzle in the Steak
As shown in several articles about the impact of the economic crisis on the auto industry, everyone is scrambling to build cars that can sell and sustain their lifeline. Honda's Nov. sales dropped 30%, like everyone else.
The window of opportunity for V8s to make profit for Honda/Acura has long passed. Nobody is going to sell many cars with V8s these days.
And I don't think fuel cell is the answer for the future either. Maybe the MINI E?
The window of opportunity for V8s to make profit for Honda/Acura has long passed. Nobody is going to sell many cars with V8s these days.
And I don't think fuel cell is the answer for the future either. Maybe the MINI E?
12-02-2008, 06:08 PM
#1250
6G TLX-S
why a guarantee?
Audi's V8, V10 and V12 are not RWD platforms at the moment if I'm correct...
the RWD platform works great and for 4cy as for 6cy cars and so on. BMW learns.
And I don't think that with the new 3 litres engines of Infiniti, BMW and Audi (326 and 330 hp of max. output, and very good torque) you miss so much a V8 engine.
I feel that we miss more a V6 Turbo diesel for the Acura range SUV's than a V8.
Audi's V8, V10 and V12 are not RWD platforms at the moment if I'm correct...
the RWD platform works great and for 4cy as for 6cy cars and so on. BMW learns.
And I don't think that with the new 3 litres engines of Infiniti, BMW and Audi (326 and 330 hp of max. output, and very good torque) you miss so much a V8 engine.
I feel that we miss more a V6 Turbo diesel for the Acura range SUV's than a V8.
Without RWD, Audi is forced to use AWD in pairing with the high-power V6, V8, and V10 engines. The full potential of these AWD Audi's is seriously handicapped by the heavy AWD hardware and extra gearing loss, when being driven in the dry. This point was mentioned again and again in comparison reports with most other RWD competitors.
However, they also mentioned that the AWD Audi's will run rings around these RWD cars in the wet and on snow. But who, in the right mind, would race their AWD cars in the wet and on snow ?
12-03-2008, 03:21 PM
#1252
6G TLX-S
12-09-2008, 08:30 AM
#1254
Safety Car
Update
Acura Aims to Deliver Big League Luxury
Alysha Webb
Automotive News
December 8, 2008 - 12:01 am ET
LOS ANGELES — Honda's U.S. executives have pledged for years to make Acura a top-tier luxury brand, on par with Lexus, Mercedes and BMW. Dealer Dave Conant is gambling $20 million that this time Honda will succeed.
That's how much Conant spent to upgrade his Acura dealership in suburban Los Angeles. The renovated store opened in May.
"We invested in this facility on the bet they really mean it," Conant told Automotive News.
Jeff Conrad, vice president of American Honda Motor Co.'s Acura division, concedes that dealers' expectations are high. He says Acura is working to improve its vehicles, marketing and retail network. But achieving those goals will take time, he warns.
"Every product we launch becomes more of a Tier 1 product." Conrad says. "But you don't just snap your fingers and do it overnight. It is a long-term effort."
The redesigned 2009 Acura TL, a compact sedan that emerged from the brand's new design center in Torrance, Calif., is competitive with better-selling luxury models in styling and performance, Conrad says.
The TL has a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine and offers all-wheel drive as an option. It went on sale this fall with a base sticker price of $34,955, including shipping.
Acura dealers say they like the revamped TL. But T.Y. Lai, COO of the western region for DCH Auto Group, says sales of the redesigned model have been disappointing.
"We don't consider it luxury yet," says Lai, whose company owns four U.S. Acura dealerships. "I don't think the buyer considers it luxury."
Conrad says the marketing launch for the redesigned TL is Acura's most expensive campaign. He declined to disclose its budget.
RPA, American Honda's advertising agency, created an Acura division last year. The TL campaign is the first for the new unit. Its tag line: "The most powerful Acura ever built."
Wanted: Broader lineup
Acura needs a wider selection of products, Lai says. The brand offers models in five market segments. Lai complains the brand is "not even considering a hybrid."
Conrad says Acura will launch a "new or reskinned" vehicle every year for the "foreseeable future." He declined to discuss which segments Acura plans to enter.
Acura must offer vehicles in higher-priced segments if it wants to be considered a Tier 1 luxury brand, says Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis at J.D. Power and Associates.
Such vehicles would "contribute to the reputation for luxury," Libby says. Acura especially needs to compete in the segment that includes the Mercedes E class, BMW 5 series, Audi A6 and Infiniti M series, he says.
A replacement for Acura's most expensive model, the $46,000 Acura RL, is due in 2010. Dealers say Acura must offer buyers a V-8 engine as an option if the car is to be considered Tier 1.
"To elevate the brand, they gotta have it," says Mark McKellop, general manager of Acura of Mission Viejo in suburban Los Angeles.
In April, Acura told U.S. dealers that the brand plans to bring out a V-8 within 18 months. In October, Honda Motor Co. CEO Takeo Fukui said that Acura would offer a V-8, but he did not suggest a timetable.
Acura has formed a 25-person team of executives to define how it will achieve Tier 1 luxury status. John Mendel, executive vice president of automobile operations at American Honda, heads the team.
Conrad says the brand is forming Acura University, which will offer personal and online training for dealership sales, service and finance employees.
Acura also is showing dealers a computer simulation of what it wants its dealerships to look like, Conrad says. Among the features the brand seeks: larger and fancier facilities for sales, service, vehicle delivery and customer reception. A few Acura dealerships, such as Conant's upgraded store, already reflect that vision.
Conrad declined to discuss how much Acura expects its dealers to spend to improve their stores. He concedes dealers are likely to resist spending demands in a down market. But he says: "We are going to ask them to invest just as we are investing."
Too far too fast?
Some dealers warn Acura against trying to step up in class too quickly.
"They immediately say they want to be like BMW, like Mercedes, like Lexus," says John Hawkins, president of Great Metro Autogroup, a suburban Los Angeles dealership group that includes an Acura store. Instead, Hawkins says, Acura should aim first to "compare themselves with Infiniti and Audi."
Hawkins also calls Acura's management too "process-driven," lacking "bold, imaginative" leadership.
"There's not a Bob Lutz over there," he says. "There's not a Jim Press."
DCH's Lai offers a more measured appraisal of Acura executives.
"This will not be a smooth road," he says. "But at least they are headed in the right direction."
Alysha Webb
Automotive News
December 8, 2008 - 12:01 am ET
LOS ANGELES — Honda's U.S. executives have pledged for years to make Acura a top-tier luxury brand, on par with Lexus, Mercedes and BMW. Dealer Dave Conant is gambling $20 million that this time Honda will succeed.
That's how much Conant spent to upgrade his Acura dealership in suburban Los Angeles. The renovated store opened in May.
"We invested in this facility on the bet they really mean it," Conant told Automotive News.
Jeff Conrad, vice president of American Honda Motor Co.'s Acura division, concedes that dealers' expectations are high. He says Acura is working to improve its vehicles, marketing and retail network. But achieving those goals will take time, he warns.
"Every product we launch becomes more of a Tier 1 product." Conrad says. "But you don't just snap your fingers and do it overnight. It is a long-term effort."
The redesigned 2009 Acura TL, a compact sedan that emerged from the brand's new design center in Torrance, Calif., is competitive with better-selling luxury models in styling and performance, Conrad says.
The TL has a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine and offers all-wheel drive as an option. It went on sale this fall with a base sticker price of $34,955, including shipping.
Acura dealers say they like the revamped TL. But T.Y. Lai, COO of the western region for DCH Auto Group, says sales of the redesigned model have been disappointing.
"We don't consider it luxury yet," says Lai, whose company owns four U.S. Acura dealerships. "I don't think the buyer considers it luxury."
Conrad says the marketing launch for the redesigned TL is Acura's most expensive campaign. He declined to disclose its budget.
RPA, American Honda's advertising agency, created an Acura division last year. The TL campaign is the first for the new unit. Its tag line: "The most powerful Acura ever built."
Wanted: Broader lineup
Acura needs a wider selection of products, Lai says. The brand offers models in five market segments. Lai complains the brand is "not even considering a hybrid."
Conrad says Acura will launch a "new or reskinned" vehicle every year for the "foreseeable future." He declined to discuss which segments Acura plans to enter.
Acura must offer vehicles in higher-priced segments if it wants to be considered a Tier 1 luxury brand, says Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis at J.D. Power and Associates.
Such vehicles would "contribute to the reputation for luxury," Libby says. Acura especially needs to compete in the segment that includes the Mercedes E class, BMW 5 series, Audi A6 and Infiniti M series, he says.
A replacement for Acura's most expensive model, the $46,000 Acura RL, is due in 2010. Dealers say Acura must offer buyers a V-8 engine as an option if the car is to be considered Tier 1.
"To elevate the brand, they gotta have it," says Mark McKellop, general manager of Acura of Mission Viejo in suburban Los Angeles.
In April, Acura told U.S. dealers that the brand plans to bring out a V-8 within 18 months. In October, Honda Motor Co. CEO Takeo Fukui said that Acura would offer a V-8, but he did not suggest a timetable.
Acura has formed a 25-person team of executives to define how it will achieve Tier 1 luxury status. John Mendel, executive vice president of automobile operations at American Honda, heads the team.
Conrad says the brand is forming Acura University, which will offer personal and online training for dealership sales, service and finance employees.
Acura also is showing dealers a computer simulation of what it wants its dealerships to look like, Conrad says. Among the features the brand seeks: larger and fancier facilities for sales, service, vehicle delivery and customer reception. A few Acura dealerships, such as Conant's upgraded store, already reflect that vision.
Conrad declined to discuss how much Acura expects its dealers to spend to improve their stores. He concedes dealers are likely to resist spending demands in a down market. But he says: "We are going to ask them to invest just as we are investing."
Too far too fast?
Some dealers warn Acura against trying to step up in class too quickly.
"They immediately say they want to be like BMW, like Mercedes, like Lexus," says John Hawkins, president of Great Metro Autogroup, a suburban Los Angeles dealership group that includes an Acura store. Instead, Hawkins says, Acura should aim first to "compare themselves with Infiniti and Audi."
Hawkins also calls Acura's management too "process-driven," lacking "bold, imaginative" leadership.
"There's not a Bob Lutz over there," he says. "There's not a Jim Press."
DCH's Lai offers a more measured appraisal of Acura executives.
"This will not be a smooth road," he says. "But at least they are headed in the right direction."
12-09-2008, 08:41 AM
#1255
Senior Moderator
I've run out of things to say about this whole process. (or lack thereof)
But I'll try anyway.
- RWD platform (stop basing everything off the Accord)
- Dual Clutch Trannies
- Forced Induction if there won't be a V8
- replacement for the J (see forced induction)
When I hear the new SC V6 in the Audi S4 has equal or more power than the old V8 yet gets 27% better MPG and uses a cutting edge 7 speed dual clutch tranny I wonder what the hell Acura is doing.
But I'll try anyway.
- RWD platform (stop basing everything off the Accord)
- Dual Clutch Trannies
- Forced Induction if there won't be a V8
- replacement for the J (see forced induction)
When I hear the new SC V6 in the Audi S4 has equal or more power than the old V8 yet gets 27% better MPG and uses a cutting edge 7 speed dual clutch tranny I wonder what the hell Acura is doing.
12-09-2008, 10:34 AM
#1259
The sizzle in the Steak
Acura Aims to Deliver Big League Luxury....eh?
Brilliant!!! What better timing...just in time for the world wide implosion of the auto industry!
Acura Advance
Brilliant!!! What better timing...just in time for the world wide implosion of the auto industry!
Acura Advance
12-09-2008, 12:37 PM
#1260
I've run out of things to say about this whole process. (or lack thereof)
But I'll try anyway.
- RWD platform (stop basing everything off the Accord)
- Dual Clutch Trannies
- Forced Induction if there won't be a V8
- replacement for the J (see forced induction)
When I hear the new SC V6 in the Audi S4 has equal or more power than the old V8 yet gets 27% better MPG and uses a cutting edge 7 speed dual clutch tranny I wonder what the hell Acura is doing.
But I'll try anyway.
- RWD platform (stop basing everything off the Accord)
- Dual Clutch Trannies
- Forced Induction if there won't be a V8
- replacement for the J (see forced induction)
When I hear the new SC V6 in the Audi S4 has equal or more power than the old V8 yet gets 27% better MPG and uses a cutting edge 7 speed dual clutch tranny I wonder what the hell Acura is doing.
fixed. turbo, biturbo, supercharged, turbo diesel V6, give us one of these engines.
The new big, fat BMW 7 got the revisited great 3.0 biturbo with 327 hp and a lot of Nm... and we get 5.9 sec. to 100 km/h. Do we really need more?
12-09-2008, 03:54 PM
#1261
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Infiniti is more a luxury brand now than Acura is. They give us RWD, AWD, and V8. At least they listen. They just need to have a TSX competitor.
Acura isn't giving what consumers want except for SH-AWD on the TL.
-Ugly plenum grilles
-FWD based vehicles
-no V8
-no diesel
I guess the only thing they are doing right is offering everything standard rather than expensive options for the price you pay.
Acura isn't giving what consumers want except for SH-AWD on the TL.
-Ugly plenum grilles
-FWD based vehicles
-no V8
-no diesel
I guess the only thing they are doing right is offering everything standard rather than expensive options for the price you pay.
12-09-2008, 03:56 PM
#1262
What Would Don Draper Do?
Infiniti is more a luxury brand now than Acura is. They give us RWD, AWD, and V8. At least they listen. They just need to have a TSX competitor.
Acura isn't giving what consumers want except for SH-AWD on the TL.
-Ugly plenum grilles
-FWD based vehicles
-no V8
-no diesel
I guess the only thing they are doing right is offering everything standard rather than expensive options for the price you pay.
Acura isn't giving what consumers want except for SH-AWD on the TL.
-Ugly plenum grilles
-FWD based vehicles
-no V8
-no diesel
I guess the only thing they are doing right is offering everything standard rather than expensive options for the price you pay.
but a lot of customers actually don't like have everything standard and prefer to choose their options.
12-09-2008, 04:41 PM
#1263
The sizzle in the Steak
Like Merc, BMW, Audi, Lexus.
12-09-2008, 07:00 PM
#1264
Senior Moderator
One thing Acura is definitely missing ... a COUPE. And the G coupe is probably the 'nicest' one from Japan. (Note: MX-5 is a roadster rather than a coupe, IMHO -- but that is great for what it is...) Too much talk about NSX replacement ... but no results.
Acura has wasted too many resources on CUV / SUVs. They need to go back to what they're good at -- making cars. But they need to find someone who has an eye for design. The front grill has got to go!! I've left Acura after my wife's '07 TSX (she loves her car but she won't let me mod it ...
)... I'll just wait for now.
12-10-2008, 02:40 AM
#1266
Race Director
12-10-2008, 04:48 AM
#1267
can we quit with the 4 door coupe crap? a coupe has TWO DOORS...........
Acura wants to compete with the big boys? get rid of the FWD cars and make some RWD cars.....or AWD and beat Audi at their own game
Acura wants to compete with the big boys? get rid of the FWD cars and make some RWD cars.....or AWD and beat Audi at their own game
12-10-2008, 08:16 AM
#1268
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12-10-2008, 09:18 AM
#1269
What Would Don Draper Do?
there are a lot of customers that are turned off by acura offering everything standard and not being able to pick and choose their options like lexus, bmw, etc.
12-10-2008, 12:11 PM
#1270
Senior Moderator
12-10-2008, 12:17 PM
#1271
Team Owner
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!!!!!!!Offering a standard list of options is nice, but it's also one of the reasons that it's not looked at as a luxury carmaker. All one has to do is look at Merc, BMW, Audi and see how many options they offer buyers when purchasing a car. Lexus and Infiniti also offers a decent amount of options as well.
This was one of a few reasons I decided not to go with Acura when we picked up our new car earlier this year.
12-10-2008, 12:35 PM
#1272
Racer
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I stopped reading after this gem
"The redesigned 2009 Acura TL, a compact sedan that emerged from the brand's new design center in Torrance, Calif., is competitive with better-selling luxury models in styling and performance, Conrad says."
I've looked at it 1000 different ways and I still think that Homer Simpson might be responsible for the styling..
12-10-2008, 12:52 PM
#1273
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Blame this arrogant idiot for the styling of the 09 TL
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12-17-2008, 12:03 PM
#1276
I'm the Firestarter
He's Acura's Bangle.
12-17-2008, 12:07 PM
#1277
The sizzle in the Steak
12-17-2008, 08:29 PM
#1280
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Ok, let me repost, this is the real person responsible for designing the new TL
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