hankjost

Does anyone know if there will be a hybrid version, perhaps based on the Accord? Seems to me that there would be a lot of demand for this.

YeuEmMaiMai

people have been talking about electric motor assist but not like the old IMA setup...

hankjost

I was thinking Acura might use the same hybrid system as on the new 2014 Accord, since it has been so well received.

Treblig

My guess would be further down the line. Perhaps 2016, 2017 or MMC.

MuGen7Modulo

Of course will be one, IMO in 2015 or 2016.

hankjost

Perhaps Acura will do the same as what Honda did for the Accord, where the 4 and 6 cyl came out in 2013 then the hybrid in 2014, not counting the limited sale plug-in hybrid which came out in 2013.

kickarsmann

I thought Acura would put a Sport Hybrid AWD system like with the RLX. But then again, if they do no one will buy the RLX.

George Knighton

They'd have to completely redesign the RLX system to get it on the TLX. It's completely unsuitable for the TLX.

Stick your head under the rear end of an RLX, and then do the same with a TLX, and you'll understand.

Also...the RLX system is too expensive for Honda to want to go into mass production with it. In the first place they can only find enough high quality batteries to make maybe 1500/year.

And then there are further limits on the RLX building that makes it unlikely we'll see more than like 700/year (700, not 7000) in the United States.

Right now it's a perfect storm of events leading to very limited availability of the RLX Hybrid system.

cdbmo

I currently have a '10 I4 TSX and a '14 Accord Hybrid in the garage. While the Accord Hybrid is a bigger car (and likely heavier due to the batteries), it certainly isn't a slouch. Rapid acceleration gives you a feeling that is darn close to that of the TSX. Drivability is also excellent.

The main area they will need to improve upon to make the hybrid into an Acura is the steering and suspension feel (much like comparing a standard Accord to today's TSX/TL). I just hope they didn't lock into specific tuning attributes when designing the hybrid system, thus not giving them enough wiggle room to get some more sportiness out of the hybrid system.

A secondary attribute they will need to work on is engine noise. The drone of the gas engine is quite jarring to those used to a normal gas car because the sound does not match the position of the accelerator pedal. Plus it's just louder than I expected.

Both points being said, Honda has done a great job on the Accord Hybrid and once they get some production volume, I have a feeling they will sell quite briskly.

I definitely agree that there will be a hybrid TLX at some point. I'm hoping for one in the 2016 MY to replace my TSX. Otherwise, I'll go with a 4 cyl TLX.

seaeyes

It's a little tricky here. Hybrid SH-SH-AWD which is used in RLX is more tech advanced. So it is natural that TLX hybrid uses the lower end accord-style hybrid since TLX is under RLX. But on the other hand, SH-SH-AWD is more sporty, while accord-style-hybrid is more focusing on the energy efficiency. But TLX should be sporty. It's interesting to see what honda will offer for TLX hybrid if there is one.

weather

I would say that an RDX Hybrid will be coming to fruition before the TLX.....

boe_d

My next car will definitely be a hybrid. I'm hoping a TLX hybrid will be available for the 2015 model as I like having more choices.

I love the MPG on the Accord. The acceleration for a hybrid is excellent. I'd be willing to give up 5 MPG if they could decrease the acceleration time of the accord by 1 second.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

I hope they do not use the same hybrid setup as the Accord. If Acura is to get away from the comparisons of being just a tarted up Honda, they need to do something different with the hybrid setup in order to further distance the TLX from the Accord, even if they share a platform, which at this point we cannot be certain of.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

We've barely seen the car. How about we let it come out first......

Edward'TLS

^^^^^

x2.

prepreludesh

The Lincoln MKZ hybrid is the same as the Ford Fusion. Also, the Lexus CT250 is the same powertrain as the Prius. Additionally, the Lexus ES300h is the same powertrain as the Camry Hybrid. It wouldn't be a big deal if the TLX hybrid was the same as the Accords. It would certainly make it very affordable because a "from-scratch" hybrid system would be too expensive and take too long to engineer.

George Knighton

I really think that this is unlikely, if for no other reason than the noise. The Accord gets compliment after compliment after compliment...but new owners always get around to saying that they wish it didn't make the noises it makes.

Do we believe that they perceive a TLX Hybrid as any kind of necessity?

After living with my RLX for 3,000 miles it is consistently returning 24 - 26 mpg in mixed driving...and I am not somebody who necessarily babies a car.

If we can get that kind of mileage out of the big car with the 6 speed, maybe the smaller car with the 9 speed will do so well that people won't even be asking about a hybrid version.

boe_d

In addition when they tweak one they get the same benefit to the other. No need to shake down the bugs in 2 systems.

boe_d

I've pretty much decided that I won't buy a new car unless it gets about 40/40 so that leaves the IS300h, the ES300h and the Accord hybrid for cars that I'm considering as they all have decent acceleration compared to the prius. If they made a TLX hybrid, I'd be much more likely to pick it over the Accord. While you may be looking for something like the 6000 SUX for your next vehicle, I'm looking for something that gets better gas mileage.

KeithL

But the Accord Hybrid get 47MPG so a TLX hybrid in the 40MPG range would be sweet.

kurtatx

Honestly, the NSX is a hybrid, the RLX has a hybrid. It doesn't feel completely necessary, but it certainly feels like an inevitability at this point. Maybe that's Acura's new thing.

bnilhome

I would like to see Acura offer two hybrid with the TLX...one that is more focused on fuel economy and models after the Accord (50 MPG City), and the others that is more focused on a blend of performance and fuel economy like the anticipated RLX sports hybrid.


If we still had a TL and TSX the TL likely would have gotten the performance hybrid with the TSX getting the Accord-like hybrid, so why not offer both with the TLX. It would also send a signal to the car world that Acura/Honda are serious about being a top player in the hybrid game.

kurtatx

I agree with this assessment, but at some point it would be worthwhile to call it something else, right?

boe_d

Lexus has the ES h and the IS h hybrids based on the current ES and IS.

I kind of like idea of Acura going balls out with hybrid with a the choice of a TLX h and a TLX hs - standard hybrid (based on the accord hybrid) and sportier hybrid. TLX H - 47 MPG with a 7.7sec 0-60 acceleration and a TLX hs with a 42MPG and a 6.5sec 0-60 acceleration time. I'd have a hard time choosing!

bnilhome

If the standard hybrid had a higher city MPG factor, I would even be fine with the sports hybrid getting around 37 in the city and 43 on the highway, for a combined 40 MPG.

boe_d

I wouldn't consider any car with a MPG less than 40MPG and Acceleration of 0-60 in more than 8s. I don't expect to get 40MPG, but I wouldn't get a car rated for less than 40.

BEAR-AvHistory

Was a short month but only 371 RLX's were sold in Feb. The TL did a bit better than it did in January with 1480 cars sold.

JM2010 SH-AWD

Check out the Accord with 2.4 and MT. It's been clocked at 6.6 0-60 and ours gets over 40 mpg easily on the highway in warmer weather (i.e., not this arctic crap that seems to come in every week).

weather

^^ hate to be the spread the bad news but the NE is expected to be below seasonal for Mar/Apr/May I usually don't have a lot of faith in these climatological forecasts but they were bang on for Dec/Jan/Feb ... And this is where I want to be wrong (lol)

Now below seasonal doesn't mean bitterly cold....

JM2010 SH-AWD

^^^ Killjoy!

geekybiker

I'm wondering what people's motivations are for buying a hybrid, especially on a more expensive car like an Acura? Is it financial, or political? I guess I just don't see paying more for a worse driving experience.

boe_d

I can't speak for everyone but here are my reasons -
1 partially political (nothing to do with religion - I hate all people equally )
2 I don't ever want to be in a gas station waiting for some idiot to try a get Marlborough hard pack vs. soft pack and his lucky numbers
3 I don't want to spend as much time going to gas stations
4 I don't think I'll save money but I do expect gas to his $6.50 a gallon by 2018 and I tend to keep my cars about a decade plus at a time. I may have to replace my batteries by then but I wouldn't be surprised if batteries get better and actually go down in price by 2020.
5. I have a lead foot and live in LA - sub optimal for cars with $#!++y gas mileage.

CoquiTSX

I'm not sure what is for you a " worse driving experience", but the reviews on the new Accord hybrid are very positive.


+1

weather

For me, buying a hybrid will never be to save gas....at least not now anyway.

I will consider a hybrid when it offers electric engines to increase performance but thats about it. Even Diesel is not as cost effective as before now that there is a hefty premium to buy Diesel fuel over Regular/Premium gasoline....add the cost of the diesel/hybrid technology and it just doesn't many financial sense (here anyway).....and I am not one to do for the environment.

kurtatx

Performance hybrids appear to be the future monsters on the road. The Accord hybrid looks like it will have major gas savings in its usage. For me, when performance hybrids hit the market, I will be interested.