With a lot of speculation about the new Rl sketch picutres, I thought it would be beneficial to show the old TSX sketch pictures.
Just to give you an idea how close (or far off) a sketch is of the real thing.

 

that sketch is pretty close

 

Not sure if this was posted already. Its a video of the new AWD RL.

http://www.honda.co.jp/HDTV/news/200...01a/index.html

 

that looks like an accord

 

It's the JDM Accord, the Inspire...

And it's a repeat post...

http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/show...&threadid=8000

Junkster, who was amused by all the CG in the infomercial.

 

Scene
Forest, right off a twisty mountain road. Police officer inspecting a car wrapped around a tree, but the driver appears to be okay.
Police Officer: How did you end up off the road in the trees?
5 Series Driver: I got "SHAWD" by the new RL.
Police officer: Oh.

 

The problem is that this great SHAWD "invention" won't do squat for traction if the car comes stock with crap tires. And it will certainly won't help in the winter unless you change to winter tires. I can just see it now:

Feb 2005 - my new RL is a POS in the snow, I got stuck in just a few inches of snow when my neighbor's RWD BMW with snow tires had no problems.

Also, I'm not sure how many folks will swallow the marketing gimick of "performance" sedan cause that 300HP V6 pulling 4000lbs won't be able to give you what some folks consider "performance". We'll have to wait for the numbers.

Of course most of the above is moot anyway - the typical RL buyer doesn't give a crap or know about any of the above - they just worry how well the car is received at the golf club.

 

I saw this more detailed explanation of SHAWD:

SHAWD detail

Sounds good on paper but we'll have to wait to see what it's like in the real world.

If you understand Japanese and want an even more detailed explanation with video, there's another link on the Autospies web site for that.

I wonder if there's any significance to the fact that the video uses a USDM Accord in it.

 

I don't know what the hell you're talking about. I've seen enough RWD cars with snow tires having more trouble than my FWD with all-seasons to know that your little scenario there is full of s#!t.

...sorry...

 

I thought I told you guys to remember this post...

05RL

Do not doubt the Oracle.

 

All hail the Oracle

S-Class and 7-Series rival? The RL? Or another car in development?

 

10 points awarded to Justin for correctly "predicting" the RL's equipment 9 months in advance!

 

Oracle, do you forsee any 05 changes for the TSX?

 

Well - first off ... I have known Justin "virtually" now for quite some time and lemme just say the oracle has been at work for the people for quite some time. Anyone who knows info on this site, knows justin

Ok ... so now my question of the day ... how does SH-AWD now relate with IMA? Is Honda/Acura going to put this all together in one package?

I have promised myself that my next car will be a hybrid (2-3+ years out) ... if it is mated with this SH-AWD ... I think I have my next car drivetrain nailed down. Just a matter of how big a car at that point

So justin the oracle .... IMA + SH-AWD ... dream or reality? TSX? TL? RL? Accord? NSX?

 

You know I like to stay away from rumors but if you remember sometime ago I said there should be another version of the TL. This new AWD system should serve the TL well.

Again rumors are just that rumors...but like I keep saying Type S models are gone...and there will be another drivetrain for the TSX.

So remember this post.

 

That was a quote from a Japanese site...not my words. I wouldn't go so far to say in the league of the 7 Series and S Class. To be able to hold its own against the new GS, 5 Series and E Class would already be a huge step in the right direction for the Awd RL.

 

No changes that I have been told...it may even be rattle free by 05.

 

Wow you are already dropping the "So remember this post" bomb again on your crew here eh?

So what's trade in on an '04 TSX gonna be like when the TSX A-Spec with IMA/SH-AWD model comes out for '06? Cause I am gonna be swapping up like a MAD MAN

Ok ... maybe I went to far ... or did I?

 

So is the concept version what you saw, justin, or the production version? Should we expect the concept to have an interior and all the features the production version will have? Or can you even tell me any of that?

Let 20 questions begin

 

I did not see the production version...I saw the concept they will show in NY on 4/7.

The production version will not have every feature of the concept.

I don't think they will show the RL A-Spec Concept in NY.

The sound system in the RL will make the TL sound tame.

 

i can say the same for people who just want a car for the 3-pointed star or blue and white propeller.

 

Justin, would you say the sketches provide a realistic picture of the real RL or are there exaggerations in there on part of the artist?

I am asking this because some of the previous sketches provided by Acura were far more exciting than the actual cars. So just wanted to clarify.

 

I'd say the real thing will look less aggressive. It's actually a good thing, because then it strikes a nice balance between sporty and luxurious. The sketches look extremely sporty.

 

I don't remember how much oracle says stuff in the movie, but the more said, the more the rest would be confused.

anyway, in the midst of the RL hype, a 4wd, 2-dr, or 4-dr wagaon TSX would show up sometime for the rest of us?

 

I'm going to see it this Friday. Who else is going?

 

Saturday, methinks

 

I agree. A performance-oriented AWD system is all the TL needs!!! An A-Spec AWD TL will be as good a sedan as you can buy at any price.
Sooo -- tell me again why I would want an RL if I can get a TL with AWD?

 

Probably the same reason people by 5 series vs. 3 series and A6 vs. A4 vs. A8. I mean Acura is the only "luxury" brand with so few sedans really.

Time will tell, but I think Acura has to be able to make the TSX/TL/RL brands all sell consistently at the same time to show success.

 

As long as the price does not increase too wildly I think the RL sales numbers will go up (can't get a whole lot lower - I think the Infiniti Q is the only other flagship with lower numbers).
Assuming Acura sticks with it's all-or-nothing option strategy and sticks to a $50K MSRP it will be the value leader in it's class. Of course it seems like it will be in it's own class - AWD only, sized between mid and full, only a V6 (although it's output will be in the V8 league).

Of course the TSX is a tweener car also (officially mid-sized but compared to the rest it's the smallest) and doing quite well.

 

Yeah ... so I know it will not out, but let's say it is a 280-300HP AWD V6 ... will it be able to compete with the A6? Seems to me that would be very possible and it could do well if it is performance oriented which the A6 is also.

The real risk (and too big for Acura right now) would be to step out with a 7xx and A8 competitor. Not sure that will ever happen ... but that's ok with me ... I don't want a car that big

 

i think Acura has a better chance at competing with a 7xx or a A8 than VW does with that $80,000 dollar Phaeton car they have or whatever it's called.

 

On paper it would seem that the A6 w/AWD would be the closest competitor. I saw the new A6 at the show in Geneva and it's pretty nice but at close to $50K it better be. If the new RL is a couple of inches shorter (current is 196") then it could be a direct comparisson (the new A6 is 193"), except for the SHAWD system.

 

I disagree Prov. This minute would be a bad idea to come out with such a car, but if/when Honda perfects IMA or comes out with a V8 (unlikely), a halo car would be a great way to showcase the tech. If Acura can do a TL for mid-30's, and do an RL for mid-40's/low 50's, what could they do in the upper-60's/low-70's? That would be an exciting car and it's exactly what Acura needs to legitimize itself. It just has to have the right engine and powertrain.

 

Does anyone know if the new RL is available with a manual transmission?

 

Considering Acura is marketing the new RL as a "performance" sedan you would think an MT option should be in the cards. I highly doubt however. Combine the fact of the SHAWD system and the real buyers of the car, it would tend to point towards an AT only.

 

That's what I'm thinking.

 

It doesn't really matter, in the U.S. automatics outsell manuals by a wide margin. Whether it's a compact sports sedan or a luxury sports sedan, if it's available in manual and auto, the auto will sell much better. I expect it to have a manual, just like the TL. I just don't expect the MT versions to sell a lot.