F-C

Wow, I actually prefer this to the shield. Never liked the shield on the MDX.

Moog-Type-S

Never liked the old MDX shield....the beak looks better on the MDX than the shield.

vybzkartel

Wow!! I remember how negative the reaction was when the shield(on the MDX) came out!

I guess in a few years, the plenum will be accepted, lol?

AsianRage

I like those wheels. They're the only change that I like on the MDX.

majin ssj eric

I don't like anything about Acura's current styling. They hit their sweet-spot in 2004-2005 IMO...

Infamous425

the beak looks good on the MDX but then they ruin the front end with those 2 openings below the beak

fsttyms1

I actually liked the old design beak over this beak. This looks horrible.

stangg172004

Edward'TLS

Just came back from Vegas. On display inside one of the shopping malls are Acura sedans from a Vegas Acura dealership. Initially, I thought I saw the new factory replacement grille on the 4G TL. But the stainless steel grille is fabricated by a local aftermarket shop, and offers a much preferably alternative to the OEM grille for the Vegas Acura TL buyers.

dom

Not bad. Reminds me of a Caddy grille with that mesh. But the real problem is still there. Its still rising into the hood above the headlights which is a problem only a redesign of the front end can fix.

I think the '10 MDX looks great. Right in-line with the headlights. The grille works well on SUV's. Looks right at home.

SpicyMikey

I agree. Put the grill inside the lines and it looks ok. I think that's why people don't have as much of a problem with it on the TSX and MDX but hate it on the RL and TL. The ZDX seems to be following the new MDX style. Looks like they were experimenting a bit on these first few cars but are realizing it didn't work and are backing off. I would guess this new TL grill is going to do something to address that protrusion onto the hood. I can't imagine it's a full restyling. Those who are expecting that will probably be disappointed.

mrdeeno

by then they will have found some other way to phuck up the design...maybe power plenum rear bumpers or something.

docboy

Does anyone here know if this rumored grill kit is the same "sports/midnight blackened grill" on the e-honda store?

SpicyMikey

I was wondering the same thing? Could this rumored new grill just be the already acknowledged TL "sports grill". That's just the same grill with a different color tone and (I think) a slightly different grate in the opening. Big deal. Maybe it will make a few people happy, but, to me, if you don't like the current grill, you still won't like that one.

TSX69

Rumor @ Acura: Tier 1 Out, Smart Luxury In

Date: December 07, 2009 15:05
Submitted by: Jeff
Source: Anonymous
Credibility Rating: 6

According to sources, Acura dealers are being told that going forward, Acura will be abandoning the "Tier 1" initiative. The new focus is said to be "Smart Luxury".

* The dealers have been told that the NSX replacement is no longer in a holding pattern - it's pretty much dead for good.

* The next RL will be a hybrid, and there is virtually zero chance of seeing a V8.

* Acura is developing a new V6 series as the J-series has reached its limits

* Acura is working on a smaller entry level vehicle that will slot in below the TSX, though the timetable is unknown (Editor's note: if it's been planned and approved, then it should join the lineup within 3 years)
* Acura is currently mum on any diesel plans

TOV Commentary
Following the meetings I attended in October with Honda CEO Takanobu Ito and Executive Vice President Koichi Kondo, none of this information comes as a surprise. In fact, following our Tokyo Q&A session, the only conclusion that one could take from Ito-san's comments was that Acura's previously stated "Tier 1" initiatives were completely incompatible with his plans for Honda going forward, and that they would be changing. Now, with according to this source these changes are beginning to be communicated to the dealer body. It is my understanding that Acura is not planning a press conference for the Detroit Auto Show, so it will be interesting to see how long it takes for them to formulate a message to present to the public.

YeuEmMaiMai

Acura needs to get back to what made them great......

bagbklyn

I think Acura needs to learn from the European brands and add superchargers and Turbo's the V6 to get decent numbers. I think that would be considered smart luxury. There is so much you can do with a V6 without adding any bolt-ons.

dom

Talk is cheap.

We shall see.

(Cj)

None of that really surprises anyone here. We all expected the next RL to be a hybrid, and we all new that a sub TSX sedan was coming. Looks like Acura is going after Volvo and not Lexus and Infiniti. Sad, but that's expected. :sigh:

Moog-Type-S

"Smart Luxury" aka Honda Accord V6 EX with leather and Navi.

Acura moves closer to Honda yet again.

CarbonGray Earl

Anyone else think 'smart luxury' sound stupid? Ironic, no?

Yumcha

The only happy news from Acura lately has been the TSX Wagon.


Otherwise, it's been one bad news followed by the other...

Yumcha

Well, you know how rappers and all their diamond teef and gold fingernails is kinda weird-ass bad-taste luxury...?


Maybe Honda's trying to be different than that.




Duh.

Moog-Type-S

Last I checked, Volvo had V8 engine & turbos accross their entire lineup....Acura...not so much.....so I'm going with Acura is chasing after their own tail and not Volvo.

Yumcha

You know what company does not have a V8 yet...? Saab.


Acura's going after Saab.

fsttyms1

I dont think any one at honda knows what they are doing. They have done more flip flopping than all the manufacturers combined. They release a statement just to say something completely opposite of it a few months later. Just bury the acura name now and just turn honda into smart luxury.

Moog-Type-S

Sounds like a plan....but for the smart part....afterall...Honda built and put the crosstour into production....so...umm...so much for smart.

CarbonGray Earl

At least they know their audience, LOL. Though I heard T-pain is plenty disappointed.

CarbonGray Earl

I honestly will wait and see. I'm probably going to take a good hard look at the TSX wagon when it comes out, but other than that, I'm not so sure I can say my next car is going to be an Acura. Could be a Honda though....

neuronbob

All I could do when I read that was to make inarticulate argh-ing noises.

They really, really killed the NSX. I mean, really killed it. That's so hard for this enthusiast to accept, but they killed it. *snif*

They really, really want their flagship sedan to be a hybrid. I mean, really they want a hybrid. From the chatter, maybe a hybrid without a NA engine option.

They think the ZDX is the Acura flagship now. I mean, really?

The only possible good I see out of making the RL a hybrid is if they use the powertrain from the Dualnote--

http://world.honda.com/Tokyo2001/aut...nit/index.html

Cliff's.....V6/IMA with total power 400 hp and 18 km/l (42 mpg) mileage.

What the hell is Acura up to? We'll have to wait and see, I guess....and if it sucks, I don't know when I'll get another Acura.

fsttyms1

I think the designers were blindfolded on that design

krio

fixed

SpicyMikey

I don't even know what that means. But then again, "Tier 1" was somewhat unclear also. At one point it seemed they meant Bentley, Maybach, etc. It's all just words unless they define a clear goal and begin developing products to acheive that goal.

Some of the comments Ito made last month seemed to suggest he wanted to model after BMW, etc. But that seems unrealistic given their abandonment of FR platforms. It could all be more talk, however, I do get a sense like someone is finally taking the reins and beginning to set a course for Acura. Could be wrong, but the next 12 months may be interesting to see if that is true.

mrdeeno

Maybe that's their strategy...confuse everyone and never have a clear goal. if no one knows what your goals are, they can never know if you failed.

too bad they don't realize that not having clear goals and constantly waffling on what they SAY (much less DO) is failure in itself.

PG2G

Hey, at least they are talking about a new V6 :P Its about time, heh.

krio

Yumcha

ZDX...? I don't think so...I believe the RL is still the "flagship" car on the Acura lineup.

I dunno, I think the best way to think of it is that Acura exists for the Honda/Toyota buyer who's okay with putting in extra $$$ for a car that has a bit more.

So, if you're going to buy a Honda SUV...but, can put in an extra few grand. MDX. Want the Accord but a bit more oomph and luxury? Get the TL. I think that's gotta be the story...?

Silver_Surfer

How much would it cost Honda to abandon this grille design? Suburu rolled out a new one after 2 years of negative reviews. Surely Honda headquarters know about the crap people are saying for this nasty beak.

Edward'TLS

Finally, Honda/Acura has woken up to the fact that "no V8/RWD = no Tier-1".

My last hope now rests on the upcoming new generation V6 motors. Acura needs them like yesterday. It needs something like a 350hp 3.2L-V6 or a 400hp 3.7L-V6 coupled with 7/8-speed dual-clutch tranny to be able to regain the crown that has long been lost as the best engine builder in the world.

PG2G

Setting yourself up for disappointment