Acura isn't a luxury brand IMO. Especially when compared to the upper-end cars offered by luxury manufacturers (lexus, BMW, Benz, etc).

However,

Japanese quality > German quality.

 

Some of the stupidest things I have ever read, ever......

 

Apparently Honda admits this and will be marketing Acura in the US (and Japan soon) as more sporty than Honda's cars. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not. To me an S2000 is simply too raw to be marketed as an Acura for example.

 

I usually see Acura more like an option package upgrade compared to similar Honda products. Don't get me wrong, Honda products are excellent, but looking at their offerings, the RSX is a nicer Civic, the TSX is a slightly smaller, and more sporty Accord. The TL is a more luxurious Accord, the MDX is a Pilot with a different body and more standard features.

While each car is excellent, and I love Honda/Acura quality and reliability (that's why I have had 2 Accords and a CL) I agree that I don't really view them in the same class as BMW, MB, Audi or Lexus.

In addition, my old Acura dealer treated me no different than my new Honda dealer. Compared to my fiancee's Lexus dealer, it is a night and day difference from Acura.

 

Honda will strengthen Acura's image - - James B. Treece - - Source: Automotive News

 

Guess we'll just have to wait and see if they live up to their word.

 

that's a great start; more BMW-ness, less MB-ness. But that's just my opinion.

 

It's about time!!!! Acura needs to be its own company in terms of engineering and design.

The only area I am concerned about it the design area though. Honda doesn't have a massive design force so it remains to be seen if the team working on the next Accord can give it a "Honda" look then work on the next RL and give it an Acura look.

Engineering seems simple enough in that Acura will have some things Honda won't. Now this makes me wonder about a future AWD Accord in that 1. will it happen and 2. will it be SH-AWD.

Or will Honda's not be too sporty while Acura's will be in terms of handling. After the RDX's into and the into of the new CRV we'll see what Honda has in store for future products.

 

In a way, I see what you are saying. I guess your idea of luxury depends on what you are coming from in the past. This is my first Honda/Acura product. I've always driven Chrysler and Pontiac (parents' cars), and while the Chrysler dealership we've dealt with is ok and the people are nice, things are just a few steps up at Acura. Talk about plastic...drive a new Sebring and you'll see what plastic in a car can do to its aesthetic qualities! And the service is just top notch at my Acura dealer, too (Precision Acura of Princeton). I actually like going there. I'm not sure it's like that at every Acura dealer, but this one's great. They even call a few days after service to make sure you received "excellent service!" And they send you a letter, too. So basically the whole package is much better IMO from my past experiences. But it all boils down to what you are used to and what you expect.

Another point is that Acura has a more limited model lineup than other makes like BMW and MB, so you have less choices and end up having to do your own mods to get more HP, or a different look, etc. whereas BMW and MB have sedans, coupes, sport models, etc. Maybe if Acura expanded its offerings, they could add more luxurious models (although they would of course be more expensive, but might also bring them into more direct competition with the likes of BMW and MB).

But anyway, based on my own past experiences, Acura is "luxury" to me! But this TSX is my own first car, so I have a long way to go!

 

S2000 is dead soon anyways.

 

I agree 100%. I actually came from a Dodge Intrepid before I got my Acura CL-S. It was a night and day difference from which I could never go back to the domestics right now. I also leased 2 Accords since as they are outstanding cars.

Honda / Acura definitely are an excellent car manufacturer (one of my favorites actually), and Acura gives a lot of luxury for the money, but I just don't feel that Acura is up there with what I call the "majors" yet - MB / BMW / Audi / Lexus.

I feel the same way about Infiniti as well. Excellent cars, but they are not quite up there yet. I do think the M45 and FX45 are moving Infiniti in the right direction though.

 

Splitting hairs here: but I see Acura more as an Audi competitor. Like Audi, Acura goes for understated exterior designs, beautifully crafted interiors, performance-oriented (but still supple) handling characteristics, and Acura's latest focus: all wheel drive.

Although I know what you're saying. They're not pursuing Lexus or Mercedes-Benz anymore.

 

If you're right, I can't wait to see the first Turbo-fed Acura roll off the manufacturing plant.

 

some SAT Verbal prep for you guys...

lexus is to mercedes-benz

as

acura is to bmw

 

that's a matter of perspective.

I don't consider Acura to be anywhere near bmw now, or even in the future until acura can offer as many different options in the different models as BMW has in their model lineup.

if anything, they are more like Audi.

 

You can't be serious.
Acura is a far cry from BMW. No V8...no RWD...Type-S is no M.
BMW is by far the better sport/drivers car compared to Acura.

Granted Acura has the NSX, but it is the exception to the rule. The rest of the Acura line-up needs alot of work if they are to truly be in the class of BMW.

Acura makes great cars.....no doubt, but cars from Infiniti and Lexus are by far closer competitors to BMW than Acura is.

Honda is not commited to Acura becoming a top 3 lux-sport vehicle mfg.
...maybe they will change things...time will tell. Honda not separating Acura deisigners is a bad thing IMHO.

 

Isnt this what they tried to do with the new RL.

Acura will need a lot more than just adding SH-AWD and increasing the price to compete with the others. Which has already been proven with the RL sales.

Im sure it will take time though.

 

:gheylaugh:

Ok, let's see Acura put their money where their mouth is....

Talk is cheap, lets see some "sporty performance" vehicles... and hurry up, 'cause I'm looking at BMW, Infiniti, and Lexus for the source of my next car.

 

with all the competition out now the only way i'd consider an acura is if they switch to rwd or give all their cars sh-awd and their engines more torque (especially the low end) and offer a real sport package

 

Acura China have launched their official website already:

www.acura.com.cn

 

it will take quite some time to see the result of such a comitment.

 

Hmm...looks like the Chinese get an "updated" TL. I wonder if we'll see these tail lights...and check out the new mirrors (or rather, the RL mirrors)...



Does anyone know much about the Chinese economy/market? I wonder how Acura will do over there.

I just hope Honda does not do a half-assed job at smacking together their developing luxury brand. Hopefully they will learn from their mistakes here in the USA and Canada. But IMHO, I think it would be wise for Acura to wait for a little while longer, just to see how Lexus does in Japan. Acura/Honda has always been rather late to the game, and it seems like this would be a perfect time to continue playing it that way.

 

I guess no a-spec aero kit for them.

 

I don't know if any one esle mentioned this but Honda needs to keep their cars separated from Acura.

Like Euro Accord is our TSX, They need to keep same accord in each market and so on for other vehicles like Legend (RL).

 

I'm guessing, however, that the next generation TSX will be its own model, considering its success here in America. If they separate the TSX from the Euro Accord, be it simply with new sheet metal and some suspension tweaks, they can have a new Acura model (for the global market).

Acura cannot simply be a badge engineered product. It must be its own unique brand with its own uniquely designed vehicles.

 

If there's one thing I wish Acura would do is bring back the four door integra. Some may say that the TSX was the replacement for the four door integra. Well if that's the case, I want a Type-S (GS-R equiv) version damnit that only comes in stick (like the GS-R) to keep the posers from owning a sport car

 

They should differentiate the designers, give Acura the people that desgined the TL and TSX, and let Honda have the people that designed the RL, it already looks like a damn Accord

 

Over all I like the pics of the China TL but there needs to be a new wheel design IMO.

And with everyone that has said the designers need to be separated I totally agree. Engineering changes to me seem easy and for the most part Honda is doing that already with both brands (although the lastest Car and Driver recored a V6 Accord 6spd's 0-60 in 5.9 sec which is faster then the TL or RL).

SPUDMTN I too agree that the next TSX will be it's own car and should be. The Sport4 Concept was nice looking enough and could serve as a great looking replacement for the current TSX.

So with the engineering comment, I'm guessing that the rumored turbo 4 is an Acura only engine. If so then good as that same motor can power the new TSX.

Also there was a comment regarding the performance aspect of Acura. Well there is the upcoming hybrid model. Yes, yes I know all about the cost verses (whatever) argument but right now IMA is a way for Acura to offer a performance model. I just wish it were something like what has been seen in past auto shows.

 

Lexus is to MB

as

Infiniti is to BMW

as

Acura is to Audi

 

Infiniti isn't any closer to BMW as Acura is. If anything Infiniti is to Acura as Honda is to Nissan.

 

Infiniti is a lot closer to BMW than Acura is

G35 introduced in 2003 gave the 3 series a serious run for it's money, 260 horses, RWD, sport lux car, came with a 6 speed. Acura's answer was the 3.2CL, it was FWD and not very sporty.

Also with Infinitis new M45, it's damn close to the 5 series. It's got the luxury, and a bunch of magazines have raved about it's sportiness. The RL can't touch either in terms of performance.

 

I'd take the '03 G35C 6MT over the '03 330Ci 6MT any day. As far as driver-oriented lux cars go, BMW > Infiniti > Acura = Audi.

 

Im sorry but you are so wrong. As people stated above, the G35 was and still is a competitor to the 3 series and the M has outperformed the 5 series in many car comparos. The next g35 will be better and the GT-R will likely kill an M3. So yes, they are comparable. BMW cars are RWD and focus more on sportiness as does infiniti. Infiniti is usually always compared to the top lux brands now: MB, BMW, Lexus

 

But to get back on topic, those tails look pretty good. THey kinda look like the aspec concept TL tailights

 

I think the back of that Chinese TL looks cheap compared to the US TL. I don't really care for the reflectors at the bottom of the car, they switched that greyish surround around the license plate to plain black. Only thing I like is the turn signal on the side mirrors.

 

Over the past several years, Infiniti has really stepped up its game. The G series did give the then current 3 a run for the money. BMW has moved the target and Infiniti will respond soon.

The M is a great carand has beaten the 5 series as well. But lets be honest, the RL has performed well too. Styling, weight and or minimal torque has hurt it. About 3 years ago or so, I cannot remember, Acura made a statement about targeting Audi and this started the talk about Acura going AWD but the current TL didn't come that way.

The center reflector in the bumper is odd but the reverse lights I could live with. Those clear lens over the rear lights looks fine but I was hoping the LED's would have a different look but who knows.

The front hasn't changed except for the front turn signals that are now clear which gives the car a nice look.

I wonder what the Hp/torque figures will be.

 

So is this annoucement some sort of precusor to the unveiling of a new sporty performance vehicle from Acura ???

Maybe a coupe to be showcased at the carshows next year ??

Maybe Acura has something up it's sleeve to compete with this: "Nissan North America Inc.'s Infiniti luxury brand will debut the next-generation G35 lineup at the New York Auto Show in April."

 

It must be a damn long sleeve because we've been waiting for more than 2 years now.

 

I don't think a true sport-coupe is in Acura's near future. The last gen CL flopped in the market, and I don't think Acura is ready to market a coupe this soon. If Acura does decide to blow us all away with a new sport-coupe, it better not be FWD...otherwise it will fail too...IMHO.

 

How hard would it be to derive an AWD coupe from the RL, positioned for the mid-luxury market?