After reading multiple threads and the latest automotive news, I came to realize that Acura wants to go in a COMPLETELY different direction than is luxury-brand competitors.

As said in Acura's 2010 Vehicle catalog, "We are not here to do what has already been done", really makes you sit down and wonder....."just what in the hell is Acura planning next?"

In my honest opinion I feel that Acura is squeezing the automotive market to death, keeping us on the edges of our seats to see if Honda/Acura will pull something miraculous out of the box.

As far as Tier 1 one goes, Acura should take a second to sit down and think about what people want, which is a completely unique car. Acura needs to add 2 more vehicles, a sporty coupe, the new NSX, and completely drop one, ZDX. Along with that idea, I think stepping away from a naturally aspirated engine would place Acura in the same boat as the other luxury brands. Acura should shoot for ALL high reving, eco-friendly, naturally aspirated engines. With that being said Acura needs some type of a higher performing line (Type-S or Type-R). Here's my breakdown of my ideal Acura lineup for 2012.

RL- Bigger and more luxurious, drastic difference compared to TL, "Silent Beast" on the road, RWD platform, higher quality leather, and lastly make it an industry leader, and maybe offer a high-output hybrid.

TL- 6spd (auto), sportier wheels.

TL-S (or SH-AWD)- 6spd (auto) w/dual clutch operation, lower ride height, better balance ratio, bigger brakes, reduced body roll, and a throatier exhaust.

TL Coupe- same as TL, roadster design.

TL Coupe-S (or SH-AWD)- same as TL-S but offer convertible.

TSX- add 6spd (auto). Offer hybrid.

TSX-S- 4cyl only, 6pd close-ratio manual, tighter suspension, sportier wheels, sportier exhaust.

TSX Sport Wagon- same as base TSX but offer sportier wheels with a throatier exhaust note.

RDX- introduce small liter 4cyl or 6cyl hybrid. Drop the turbo.

ZDX- Drop this entire car/truck all together...this vehicle should have never even been developed. The glass roof, 6spd tranny, and wrap around leather, should have been in the 2011 RL.

MDX- almost perfect but make the 6spd have dual clutch operation.

and lastly....PLEASE!!!! BRING BACK THE NSX!!!

Oh and one more thing that has been bugging me about Acura.....just why hasn't every vehicle in the 2010 lineup been made standard with the keyless access system...I mean really, it's time Acura.

All comments are welcome, good or bad. But again this is only my opinion.

 

hm, the thought of a TL coupe is interesting, but they would need to bring back the 3G design. which they cant do. A new CL, rwd, 400 hp, 6spd, and luxurious interior. they really need to step up in the power and design department.

 

I'm curious to see if they drop any surprises on us this year. Crossing my fingers they do something interesting at NAIAS, as I'm going, but I highly doubt it. Instead, they'll probably show off the 2011 RL's redesigned wheels and the TSX's new steering wheel.

 

I think the coupe has merit. As long as it comes with a 6MT and without the beak that would stop a whore from choking to death.

 

What if they come out with an nsx, that shares the stylings of the current lineup

I think the world would end

 

As long as is it had NO design language of the current TL. And NO fargin beak.

 

It needs to be completely redesigned but if they do make a 400 hp CL, they have a buyer lol

 

i doubt we'll get any positive news from acura in 2011..

 

The idea that while Acura has lost their way over the last five or six years only to suddenly introduce a slew of relevant cars again seems a bit far-fetched.

 

^^^
I agree with the two above. The 2011 MY models from Acura are meh outside of the TSX. It is the 2012 MY that promises something bordering interest (it's been a while since I was excited about an Acura offering).

I was hoping for something for NAIAS myself as I'm probably going, but I don't think Acura is thinking that far out of the box or that early in the intro season.

 

TSX-S- 4cyl only, 6pd close-ratio manual, tighter suspension, sportier wheels, sportier exhaust.

That won't ever happen and even if it did, it won't be called TSX Type S. The TSX is already a Type S Accord in a sense. Since its based off the Euro Market Accords. The CL9 TSX was based of the CL7 Euro R Accord.

Most of your listings are just sports cars or cars with high performance. Its clear that Acura doesn't really want to go that way, because they target a difference audience. They claim to provide "luxury with enough performance" Granted, it would be nice to have some of those cars in the Acura line up, but I do feel their sales would drop because of it. The people that buy their cars now don't look for the cars you just listed, rarely.

 

 

I seriously doubt Acura sells to drop just by tweeking their lineup. Think about it this way. If Acura could build a car let's say "better than a M3", what would persuade you to continue to buy a M3 when you might be able to get a Acura cheaper now and for the long run? Don't get me wrong I love BMW, Audi, Mercedes and such but I'm still a Acura fan and I believe they have what it takes to blow everyone else out the water if they would just "DO IT!".

 

That would be great.

It's like having the power and performance of an M3, with the reliability of an Acura. That would be GREAT!

Although as most people said, it's probably not going to happen anytime soon. Acura seems to have a different plan in mind.

 

If they can provide a car that is better than the M3 and Japanese, I'm pretty sure a lot of people will purchase the car. Other Japanese Luxury companies such as Lexus wanted to try to bring fourth a M3 killer dubbed the IS-F. Hopefully if Acura does try to do a M3 killer, it won't flop like the IS-F. IS-F is completely a joke compared to the M3, C63 AMG, and the S5.

 

I understand that the M3, C63 AMG, and S5 are BEASTS but I don't think you can sit here and tell me that the IS-F is a "joke" compared to these cars.

I got this from rsportscars.com

"The Lexus IS F is exclusively powered by a performance-tuned 5.0-liter V8 engine teamed to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift transmission. The IS F engine produces 416 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 371 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 5,200 rpm. The engine's high specific output (83.2 hp/liter) and high operating range (6,800 RPM redline) reflect the thorough attention to detail underlying the core engineering. The resulting performance character, while quite responsive in low-speed situations, provides a rush of power at higher engine speeds."

I think those are pretty respectable numbers.

 

hell

if anything, the 2.3 turbo platform should be offered in more Acuras, including the TSX/Wagon, a new RSX replacement, and a new CL coupe with AWD (since Honda/Acura cant be bothered with coming out with a rear drive platform).

there should also be a higher output 2.3 turbo in a RDX Type S.


my opinion might be a little biased....

 

Its just how I feel about the IS-F; I'm just being honest. I believe Toyota tried too hard to make the IS-F fuel efficient, but at the end just weaken the whole all performance of the IS-F. The 8 speed automatic they gave the IS-F was one of the many issues that I believe messed with the performance figures. Even though this 8 speed automatic helped the MPG and helped Toyota avoid the Gas Guzzler tax for the Lexus IS-F, it weaken the performance of the whole car.

This is why most people tend to lean towards the German competitors. Such as the M3, C63 AMG, and S5. They were just made better for the track.

 

I understand your point. IMO, I would choose an M3, C63 AMG, or an S5 over an IS-F any day. What I'm saying is, I think the car deserves a little more respect. Lexus still has a short road ahead to make this car REALLY compete with the cars stated above, but I don't think it's a "joke" either. The IS-F would spank more than 75% the cars I see on the road daily, so I think it's actually a good sports car.

If Acura made a car with 416 horsepower and 371 lb.-ft. of torque, I would be all over it because of the reliability factor. Of course, this is just my opinion.

 

Nothing is going to happen at Acura. More of the same for at least the next few years.