IMO Lexus has the blandest cars out of the "big 3" Japanese luxury brands, but they seem to be doing the best as far as sales go and prestige compared to Acura and Infiniti (which is likely to change in the near future the way they’re headed now). So styling isn't Acura's main problem, I think as said before it's the "value" aspect people associate with Acura mainly because of the RSX being in the lineup.I agree with you there.

 

They need to get rid of FWD and 4 cylinder engines. RDX's 4 is okay since it's turbo.

 

you're wrong. the s2000 should remain a Honda cause it's an iconic model for Honda's roadster heritage, a throwback to the original S600 of the late 50's. it's like questioning why the 350Z is still a nissan rather than an infiniti or why the supra wasnt a lexus instead of a toyota... and im hoping the GTR concept remains a nissan rather than an infiniti...

the RSX wasn't a joke per se as it still remains one of the best fwd coupes built... the integra nameplate was a historic icon and i guess they tried to keep tat prestige intact with the rsx...but with today's expectation, the RSX doesn't fill the gaps anymore as the civic has grown in power. so killing the RSX is inevitable unless they move it upscale to compete against the G35 coupe or revive the CL for the matter...

case in point: infiniti's image changed favorably after shifting it's focus on design and performance, and "killing" the G20 and moving it upscale to become the G35 today

 

yeah, but they should've given Acura something built off the same platform. What a waste of R&D to build only 1 car off such a great platform. They could've stretched it, popped in a v6, slap a sedan body on it, and they would've had a nice 3-series/G35/IS competitor right there.

Nissan didn't cheat out Infinit and base all its models on FWD Altimas or Maximas...they based most Infiniti models off the Z platform...which imho, was one of the greatest decisions in nissan history. It's capable of rwd, awd, v6, v8, sporty, luxury, coupe, convertible, SUV, 2 seater, 5 seater, and when the GTR comes...hardcore.

Do you think Acura can build a GTR competitor off the global midsize platform?

 

it's possible but it seems honda is more concerned with overall balance in ride, handling, comfort and performance as a whole package than performance alone these days. and remember, the GTR is based off nissans' "global" FM package including the G sedan, Z, M sedan and FX. so it's very possible if honda devotes more time enhancing the accord platform or create a new universal one. i agree with you that nissan chose to differentiate its product brands from one antoher, but im sure acura is next. toyota is finally giving lexus it's own distinct design.

the wya im seeing it is this:
toyota: fwd cars; lexus: rwd
nissan: fwd; infiniti rwd:
vw: fwd; audi: awd

honda is probabaly going to go the audi route of doing awd on all cars in the future.

as for the S2000, im with you on why honda chose not to use that platform but then except for the NSX, it's the only other RWD platform Honda has and it's their unwillingness to offer RWD models that they probably chose not to develop cars on it. stubburn ol' honda.

 

The first CL's were designed and built in the US... Since there wasn't a acura design center at the time, it was designed in the Honda design center in CA... and built in OH...

From the article "Acura and Honda designers now share a studio." That design center is in California, which last time I checked, was still in the US

 

While I sorta agree, TSX sales figures prove they really don't have to.

 

Start with the RL. It could put a few grandma's to sleep with it's flair and engine specs.
The only positive is that it's distinctively boring. OH yes, sell that Super HAWD to the grandmas and 50-60 year old demographic too.

I think it needs a character overhaul since 30-40 yr old demographics can also afford this model.

 

heres my line up

Sedans: ALL equiped with SH-AWD
TSX- 2.4I4 240hp $28-30k
TL- 3.2V6 280hp $32-36k
RL- 3.5V6 320hp $45-50k
GL( Ultra Luxury Full Sized Sedan)- 4.0 V8 350hp $60-70k

Coupes:
CL (G35, SC430, 6 series, CLK type vehicle) RWD/SH-AWD option 3.5V6 300hp $38-45k
NSX- V10 4.0 450-500hp 90-100k

SUV:
RDX- its fine how it is
MDX- probably heading the right direction already

 

Here's what I would suggest to Acura...

Use a separate platform for JUST Acura. ALL cars having SH-AWD

A small version for the TSX

Medium for the TL

Medium/large for the RL

Large for an Acura V8 flagship

 

Totally separate Acura from Honda... (use Acura on windows and other parts instead of Honda).

 

The problem I see with SH-AWD - it's freaking HEAVY. Unless Acura will truly go at least 320 HP in TL sedan or future CL coupe it might work. Look what happend with RL it's SLOW with 300HP and now less with new SAE ratings.

 

give us REAR FUCKIN WHEEL DRIVE not just in the S2000 / NSX

 

I'd go with that.

 

SH-AWD isnt that heavy, in fact for an AWD setup its quite light.

In the RL the sound dampening is what weighs it down compared to what a TL with SH-AWD would be like.

 

Mercedes' lawyers will have a field day with that name...

UNLESS Acura sues them first!

 

Also, that engine is not the right one to match with that AWD system. It doesn't have enough torque.

 

I know, thats a deal breaker for most.

 

Thats very true. It really needs at least 300 foot pounds of torque.

 

I personally believe the RL's main problem is styling. A striking exterior would boost sales significantly IMO even with the current drivetrain.

It just doesn't look like a 50K US or 70K CAD car.

 

I thought there were complaints about NOT enough sound insulation...the frequencies that the audio-noise-cancel-thingy in the stereo doesn't compensate for gets into the cabin.

 

The RL IN PERSON looks good and worth $50k...it has "presence".

but for some reason all photographs/videos of it SUCK. it looks a lot smaller and humble...maybe it's the rims or something.

or maybe like in the Ring, the RL watched a mysterious videotape with black and white images and clips of weird crap, so now all pictures of it are f'ed up.

 

I can live with honda signs on acura parts... but why not change them....

funny thing is that this female friend of mine loves Acura and especially loves teh TL .... so when I showed her Honda sticker on the window, you should've seen the look on her face.

 

Don't roll your eyes at me!

The CL was never built and designed from THAT design center.

 

yea, the stock 17" rims don't help, in my opinion. they look small for the car and are kinda bland.

 

They can afford LS's, GS's, and 7 series BMW's too, but you don't see many driving them cause they're grandma cars. I think Acura appeals to a younger crowd.

 

I have no problem with HONDA MOTOR CO being stamped on the top of engines in Acura cars.

Have some Honda pride. or drive an Audi instead.

Yes, I know Honda doesn't agree, because all Acura car engines have Acura badging on them now.

 

I don't mind the little things like windows, but I do believe the engine should say Acura. Anything else is just petty IMO. Actually I kinda like driving an Acura that has an H on the engine.

 

To get a stronger image, all Acura's need to look alike, and must look vastly difference than any Honda cars. Take a look at Mecedeces and BMW, one glance and you can tell it's a Mecedeces or a BMW, and they still resemble a 10, 15 years old Mecedeces or BMW.

The latest TL doesn't look like its older generations in any way, same with the RL. The styling must be consistent for the same model line. How can one build a strong image with people having difficulty trying to tell what that car is ? A couple years ago, Acura picked the inverted Pentagon shape as its front end symbol. This was good. Acura was finally heading in the right direction. But hell, this Pentagon symbol was later used in the Honda Odyssey minivan, and in the European Accord (= TSX).

When you want a stronger image, you don't mix up the premium and cheap product lines. You don't design car models that look vastly different from one gen. to the next (but the Honda model cars can and should because it's cheap). You don't design Acura models that has no styling resemblence to each other. Lastly, fix up the Honda-Acura worldwide sales relationship first. What image has Acura left with when the Europeans and Asians are buying Honda RL (Acura RL), Honda Accord (Acura TSX), and Honda NSX (Acura NSX).

 

^^ And Honda Integra.

 

Hmmm.... I guess this is a good point. I never thought of it, though.

 

You can't really say the 5 series looks anything like any of the ones it replaces but it still sells well. The 3 has pretty much stayed kinda the same. You'd know what it was if it didn't have a badge.

 

BMW's double-kidney grille never changes, Mercedes' radiator grille never changes, even though the lights and bumpers change over time. Acura needs to have its unique grille (used only exquisitely on Acura cars) to establish the recognizable image it desires.

 

Over the past few years, Acura has been implementing the 5-poiny grille on its models to have that 'family' look. Unfortunately, that design is anything but unique.

 

how do you stop cross shopping? price the lowest priced acura higher than the highest priced honda. I know I'm probably going to sound like that 1siclex guy, but the pricetag is what a lot people look to when trying to decide if a car is a luxury car or not.

 

But Acura does it very well. Looks good.

 

Well BMW grill has been looking more Pontiac lately. Volvos will always look like Volvo's. I think the car that has changed the least is Jaguar. It's amazing how they can keep that same design for so long but keep it sexy and modern.

And Acura's need to stop looking like Honda's. I know they're working on that, but common sense should've told'em a long time ago not to do that.

 

It's kind of difficult when there is no Acura sales channel in other big countries located in Europe and Asia. The Acura's are sold as Honda's over there. If this doen't confuse people about the Acura brand, I don't know what does. So before do anything else, set up Acura dealerships worldwide, and only sell Acura in Acura dealerships, not Honda ones.

 

Jaguar always has that British heritage feel to it. The interior is ultra-luxury even though the reliability is poor. It is sad that the X-type is a complete disgrace to Jaguar.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...024/LATESTNEWS

 

Yeah...the euro civic has the "Acura" front end. Good thing they didn't bring that over.