cob3683

Thought about this today for awhile. I would keep the RL, TL, MDX, and TSX and reintroduce the CL and NSX.

Current Models

420RL
- Drop the V6 and use a new 360hp 4.2L V8.
- Drop the A5 for a A6 transmission.
- Fully loaded under $55,000.
320TL
- Drop FWD for RWD and offer optional SH-AWD in all models.
- Up hp to 280.
- OEM body kit not available for base model.
- Fully loaded under $38,000.
350TL
- 350hp 3.5L V6, RWD, sport suspension, 19" lightweight wheels, Brembo brakes, upgraded 4-pipe exhaust system, 6-speed manual or 6-speed F1 transmission. Body kit comes standard to help distinguish the two models.
- Fully loaded under $46,000.
320TSX
- Use old 3.2L from the CL and TL to put out 225hp. A 4-cylinder for almost $30,000 won't cut it.
- Improve interior materials.
- 17" wheels and sport suspension standard.
- Fully loaded under $33,000.
350MDX
- No changes other than name.
- Fully loaded under $46,000.

New Models

320CL
- New coupe based off of TL320.
- Same features and overall design as TL320.
- Fully loaded under $40,000.
350CL
- Coupe based on 350TL.
- Fully loaded under $48,000
NSX
- Based off of HSC concept.
- 460hp 5.0L V8 with 6-speed manual or optional F-1 transmission.
- Fully loaded under $110,000.


Yes, I was REALLY bored today

MSZ

Interesting thread...These are some ideas of what I would do: (in a more realistic way)

RL:
3.5L V6 IMA 350hp
CVT transmission

TL:
SH-AWD
3.2L V6 280hp
6-speed auto

TSX: (remember Legacy is Accord's #1 rival in Japan)
SH-AWD
2.4L turbo 260hp

Canadian EL: (Based on what I read at the vtec.net EL forum)
FWD
2.0L inline-4 200hp
6-speed paddle shifters

CL:
the RL coupe. (reported by March issue of C&D HK that Honda is considering the possibility of the Legend Coupe)

NSX:
HSC-based
4.0L 530hp(50hp less than the race version V8 on the Mugen Legend V8)
under 3100lb
7-speed paddle shifters

Thats about it. I am not interested in any SUVs.

Crazy Bimmer

nice list.

Only i want to add is....


MAKE THEM ALL BE MADE IN JAPAN.

TL260power

interesting...

phile

My list:

RSX: 26K
-RWD
-2.4L I-4
-direct injection
-alcantara seating/optional leather
- HIDS
-LED taillights

NSX: 100K
-structure & body components made of aluminum/carbon fiber for reduced weight
-bi-Xenon headlights that swivel and auto-level
-LED DRLs
-LED taillights
-V8 - 500hp minimum
-leather lined cabin

ferizzo

Great question and great lists.

I would say make the AWD system standard on the RL and TL bumping up the power in each. make a slightly pricier 3.0 TSX with AWD as an option to the current one. As much as I don't think the RSX should be an acura (should be a honda in my opinion) I would keep it because it sells pretty well. It's an entry level vehicle so I'd keep the current models.

Now I think that the CL and NSX should be reintroduced with RWD and some serious balls! I think an AWD version of the CL should be an option but doesn't have to be. This car should be RWD and bumped to maybe $32-$40k to compete with the G35c and the M3 (I know this is a stretch). The CL should have a 3.5 liter high-revving 300+ hp and stay at 3500lbs or less. It should definitely come in 5at or 6mt. The NSX on the other hand should be 75k or so with either a high revving 3.6< liter engine or, if feasible, develop a 4.2 liter v8 engine pumping out some 400 hp (<100hp per liter).

I could go on but it would take me all day!

GTRspeeder

yes... keep them away from ricers

dom

Couple of things. A 4 cylinder for almost 30K has cut it to the tune of 3,000 units sold per month. 17' wheels are already standard. Int materials are fine

RL
- V8

TL
- SH-AWD
- More Power

TSX
- A Min of 240HP ( I don't care how)
- "base" model sans leather, sunroof etc.

MDX
- V8 option

RDX
- V6 please

NSX
- V8
- Resonably priced

Other
- A RWD coupe/convertible

zeroday

I'd hire a rattle reduction expert.

dom

1killercls

I hear about all these rattles..I have never heard one in my 2002 CLs

CL Platano

make more powerful engines and better transmissions..NO RWD but AWD and the turbo for the RSX and TSX is a great idea.. Everytime Infiniti beefs up their line Acura should counter.

NJtsx

RL
350 hp, sh-awd, 18" wheels and tires, true a-spec kit available
50,000

base TL
stay the same excpet for addition of sh-awd

a-spec TL
300hp(current RL engine), sh-awd, sport tuned suspension, 18 inch wheels and bodykit standard

TSX base
same

TSX-T
250 hp tuner, turbo standard with sh-awd, bodykit standard, 6MT only
under 33,000(no nav available)

RSX
discontinued

MDX
V8 only

RDX
V6 only and sh-awd

CL
bring it back with a tl like coupe, sh-awd, 300 hp,
38,470

CL-T
turbo brings it up to 350 hp and sh-awd
45,450

ohhh we can all dream

Red-CL

I'd like to see an RL based Coupe with more ponies.

Whiskers

If I was head of Acura, I would shut down this site.....Im serious

CL Platano

There is always a hater

zeroday

my cls never rattled in the summer, only in the winter, and i'm sure the potholes/bumps i used to hit on a regular basis didn't help keep things from comng loose. Most of my cars seemed to stand up to this without becoming a rattle box...but not the CL.

florida is warm and flat with no potholes/etc...so no rattles. one of those perks that help offset all the natural disasters down there.

teg_to_bike

IMA everything first.

I'd also NOT introduce a V8 engine in my lineup and show the world you can be successful without it.

Using technology (IMA, etc.) to generate additional power while keeping tabs on fuel economy is what Honda is all about.

...and bring back the CL. A drop-top CL.
Also turn the HSC into the next NSX.

AsianRage

RL
:: Bigger interior (especially the rear legroom)
:: Longer (3-4" won't hurt)
:: 350HP V8 (perhaps use the Mugen V8 engine ) or
:: 320HP 3.5 or 3.8 V6
:: Better/thicker/softer leather

CL
:: SH-AWD
:: 270-290 HP 3.2L V6

TL
:: SH-AWD
:: 300HP 3.5L V6
:: Better/thicker/softer leather

TSX
:: 220-240HP
:: SH-AWD

RSX
:: Make this a direct coupe version of the TSX if it's not already (I don't know )
:: SH-AWD
:: NAVI option.


Basically, I'd turn the Acura marque into an SH-AWD brand and compete directly with Audi. And by fitting every car with an AWD system, they'd elevate the brand image above that of a higher end Honda status.
And every A-Spec kit will feature full front/rear bumper replacement.

Red-CL

Why would the coupe have less hp than the sedan?

cob3683

I've never thought the interior of the TSX to be great. The leather has always felt terrible to me and it just doesnt feel like its worth $30,000. I agree that the car does sell, but if you were to keep the 4 cylinder I would at least use the S2000 engine in it. The car just needs more juice.

Whiskers

If you were the head of Acura, the statement you made in bold is all you would care about.

MSZ

Thats why you aren't the head of Acura.

F20C would make a heavy sedan like TSX highly undriveable.

phile

I used to be hard on the TSX's interior when it first came out, but after seeing a lot of its close competitors, namely the Volvo S40 and Saab 9-3, the TSX's interior is very good for the price. I think it could use some improvements, like real wood instead of the plood that's currently in use, and in a darker color. But overall a very good interior, plus fit and finish is exceptional. It's probably the only Acura that matches Lexus in that specific area.

Meeyatch1

I would get Acura back into performance luxury cars, like they used to be. Most of the cars they make have no soul anymore, so here is what I would have.

Integra - (reintroduce the name, not some stupid alphanumeric)

- The Japanese Type-R version would make it here for sure.

- The power output would be over 245hp for all models.

NSX - All new car out with a no bullcrap 450hp engine and Type-R version.


All of the middle level cars would be redesigned as well, and the Legend name would come back. Acura used to build cool cars that had soul.

MSZ

Very good points about the name-returns.

I believe EVERY Honda fans love the name Legend.

phile

Dead horse. We're never going to see the Legend name return.

AsianRage

Cause I would have made the order to have the coupe weighs around 3200lbs . Plus I like 4dr sedans more.
Beside it's only a 3.2L and you can't get that much HP out of it anymore.

1killercls

RWD and AWD across the line.

cmark

a CL hard-top convertible

Acura2.3CL

i would definitely do something about the huge wheel gaps

Loseit

iTrader: (1)

I had one when i first got the car. They fixed it and that was the end of that!

GreenMonster

A kick ass coupe...

Something that would slot in between the G35c and the M3.

RWD, 300-330hp, V6, 6MT... Just take the S2000, throw in a 3.5L V6, a back seat and put a roof on it

Guy Legend

Nice topic. Here goes:

RL - adjust the exterior styling to make it stand out more (sheetmetal design, bigger wheels), add a V8 which is necessary, weight reduction (4000lbs makes it overweight), keep the price below comparably equipped competitors.

TL - offer a SH-AWD as an option (raise the price accordingly)

TSX - slight power boost to 215-220. Consider the use of a V6, but then it might harm the Accord.

RSX - redesign it into a TSX coupe.

MDX - natural evolution in redesign with SH-AWD and V8 option



A new NSX is due with a high powered V8. Keep the price under $100k as the current car is already far overpriced. The NSX is the HALO car and is a must have for brand identity.

Also a $35-45k coupe or convertable/roadster to make the line up more exciting.

The RDX sounds good with a high powered V6.

Guy Legend

I wanted to add two more things...


Drop the EL (thank God it's only in Canada). How can you take a luxury company serious when they sell a rebadged (literally) Civic?

Also, I believe the Acura nameplate should expand beyond North America. Having a global identity is becoming more important than ever.

MSZ

About the EL thing...

I used to think the exact same way...But now with the upcoming Audi A3, MB B-class and BMW 1 series coming to Canada later this year(A3 and B are all FWD for standard), Acura can't kill EL now.

Since both Civic and EL are going to have a 200hp K20A. I can see the end of the RSX line in both US and Canada and the engine upgrade for TSX.

aaronnn

this is an awesome thread! kept me busy and interested for the last 30 minutes reading all your acura creations. great! awesome ideas. i think some of them guys at acura should read this and get some ideas of what we enthusiasts would like sometimes!

mystikk

Fix the fucking glass trannies.

Bring back or make a better Type-S line.

Bring back the Integra.

JJ4Short

Although these upgrades are sweet in theory I don't believe it would make sense to do it. Acura doesn't have the "luxury" name like MB or Lexus. Raising the prices and lowering the fuel economy would suck, plus the raising of all the prices. RWD and AWD would be a good edition but only used accordingly. I would definitely raise the HP in the NSX but keep it the same price.

MSZ

The current 3rd generation TL still one of the best selling Acura out there despite of the huge price jump from the 2nd gen TL(base model). You have to keep improving to be able to survived in this HP war.