Acura line to grow, new model to bow before 2010

[autoxCLS]

Filed under: Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Acura

Image: Photoshopped Acura TL coupe courtesy of Acurazine.

Acura's aim of becoming a "Tier 1" luxury brand has been thwarted by a lineup that some view as nothing more than decked-out Hondas. Dan Bonawitz, Honda's vice president of corporate planning and logistics believes that broadening Acura's line of vehicles is the way to compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

The first step is to introduce an all-new vehicle that will arrive before the new NSX in 2010. A coupe is a possibility, filling the gap left by the dearly departed RSX and older CL. A retractable hardtop could be part of the package, and there's also talk of a four-door "coupe" that could contend with the M-B CLS and Audi's upcoming A7.

Whatever it is, it needs to be packing more than a just a four-pot driving the front wheels. A serious competitor the 1-series would be a welcome addition to the Acura line, and would fulfill the automaker's previous claim of pursuing niches generally left unfilled by other luxury brands.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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[Nikon1]

Yeah, lets start the shopping list of what it needs to compete (both within the marketplace and for my $$$):

1) Bigger V6 (Supercharged / turboed0 or a V8

2) RWD or AWD

3) Lose the fugly current grille treatment

4) 5 speed Auto and / or 6 Speed manual!


Additions?

[spyder5786]

Originally Posted by Nikon1

Yeah, lets start the shopping list of what it needs to compete (both within the marketplace and for my $$$):

1) Bigger V6 (Supercharged / turboed0 or a V8

2) RWD or AWD

3) Lose the fugly current grille treatment

4) 5 speed Auto and / or 6 Speed manual!


Additions?

1) Done - A 300hp + V6 should satisfy your needs for power
2) Done - Expect SH-AWD
3) We both know car companys are too proud to change that - there's always aftermarket options though
4) I'll do you one better - a 6spd auto/DSG-type gearbox

I'm gonna go out on a limb and bet that it's gonna be a sub-nsx coupe.

[Nikon1]

Can only hope you are right, Andrew!

[pianoman41]

Originally Posted by autoxCLS

A retractable hardtop could be part of the package,

I've been saying this for several years. Bring back the CL as a RWD twin-turbo V-6 335i fighter in both couple and retractable hardtop versions.

[MC Teg]

Hmmm, when I went to the Acura dealer to get my RSX done, one of the senior technicians told me they are bringing the RSX back into 2010 but I was skeptical on what he said. If the technician was right, I want one of these ASAP!

[spyder5786]

Originally Posted by MC Teg

Hmmm, when I went to the Acura dealer to get my RSX done, one of the senior technicians told me they are bringing the RSX back into 2010 but I was skeptical on what he said. If the technician was right, I want one of these ASAP!

Highly unlikely. The reason they killed the RSX in the first place was because it was bad for the Acura brand image. Now, they may bring a coupe in the TL-category, but that's significantly different than an entry level coupe like the RSX.

[petroxg]

Its about time Acura start thinking about adding more models line up. But seriously though, like what a lot of ppl has been complaining, unless they start changing to offer a big engine like V8 version option for flagship car RL or even for TL but still has the v6 for standard version. And really really up the size of RL like make it significantly bigger in size and less sporty looking and look a lot more luxurious interior like the lexus LS or BMW 7-series, I doubt is gonna make much of a difference cuz rich ppl when they got the money, they r willing to spent lots of money on expensive car with the name and prestige and expensive look car than the more fuel efficient, cheaper car cuz the word "expensive" does not register in their head. I am talking about making RL a $70k car minimum instead of a sad v6 TL size $45k-$55k car. All the rich people care is power, big engine, huge size car. And at the same time, they still have the more affordable cars like TSX and TL for regular ppl like us. Then we r really talking like a true luxury big shot like BMW or MB.

And I say Acura, detached your freaking image and ties with Honda type of thinking and start thinking like a true luxury big shot. That is what Lexus did and seems like it had work pretty well for them so far. And even Infiniti is catching on in terms of that, I don't see what is holding Acura back in terms of that. Anyways, I think I talk too much and might pissed some ppl off in this forum or maybe agree with me.

[Spade]

they really need to have different trims. like a decent 4 cyl and a nice V6 on that entry level coupe. 4 cyl is their thing, theyre not gonna change. with the gas prices I dont think bigger engines are the 1st thing to do. more models is.

more options and trim levels definetly. I dont really see how they can expect anything other than the RL to actually compete with BMW. most of them are just honda's with navs.

[petroxg]

Yea I understand and agree with you, but if Acura really want to expand the model lineup and trims to gain tier 1 luxury...they need to have cars to cover both ends..from entry fuel efficient level to ultra luxury big huge car. Acura has the best entry level and fuel efficient part covered pretty well (probably the best one out there), the only thing that is making them weak compare to other luxury car is not having a big luxury trim car.

They will never gain the tier 1 status unless they change RL..that is the key.....RL need to be bigger with bigger engine option, the gas price has nothing to do with it cuz RL is not meant for regular ppl like us, it needs to be ultra luxury like BMW 7-series for the rich. Like for ppl making $200K+ a year. Then once the rich ppl actually buy them, it is the sign that Acura has gaining tier 1 like BMW. Right now, I just don't see any rich ppl buying RL instead r just regular ppl using RL..which is not suppose to be that way for a luxury Brandname flagship car. That is my opinion.

I do love Acura, I m not a hater, I m just not so please that Acura is not making their flagship car the way a true luxury car brand should be. Which will only hinder them to gain top tier among other luxury cars in the long run.

Example, why do I see so much more brand new Lexus LS and BMW 7-series on the road compare to RL even the crazy gas price? We all know that LS and 7-series got v8 engine that drink gas like water. Right?

[MC Teg]

Originally Posted by petroxg

Yea I understand and agree with you, but if Acura really want to expand the model lineup and trims to gain tier 1 luxury...they need to have cars to cover both ends..from entry fuel efficient level to ultra luxury big huge car. Acura has the best entry level and fuel efficient part covered pretty well (probably the best one out there), the only thing that is making them weak compare to other luxury car is not having a big luxury trim car.

They will never gain the tier 1 status unless they change RL..that is the key.....RL need to be bigger with bigger engine option, the gas price has nothing to do with it cuz RL is not meant for regular ppl like us, it needs to be ultra luxury like BMW 7-series for the rich. Like for ppl making $200K+ a year. Then once the rich ppl actually buy them, it is the sign that Acura has gaining tier 1 like BMW. Right now, I just don't see any rich ppl buying RL instead r just regular ppl using RL..which is not suppose to be that way for a luxury Brandname flagship car. That is my opinion.

I do love Acura, I m not a hater, I m just not so please that Acura is not making their flagship car the way a true luxury car brand should be. Which will only hinder them to gain top tier among other luxury cars in the long run.

Example, why do I see so much more brand new Lexus LS and BMW 7-series on the road compare to RL even the crazy gas price? We all know that LS and 7-series got v8 engine that drink gas like water. Right?

But will Acura figure it out? probably not. They need to start thinking outside of the box and actually compete against the real luxury division. That's how Lexus became great with the LS. They offered a big car with a big engine at a price that BMW or MB couldn't offer.

[petroxg]

Originally Posted by MC Teg

But will Acura figure it out? probably not. They need to start thinking outside of the box and actually compete against the real luxury division. That's how Lexus became great with the LS. They offered a big car with a big engine at a price that BMW or MB couldn't offer.

That is exactly what it is, putting my long post into more concise words...LOL...I really say too much. I should zip it and listen to what others have to say.

[CakeDaddy]

Acura missed the email on this long ago. They've been behind for so long. The RL is no competition for the M45 or Lex GS. Since the disappearance of the G2 Legends.....it has been a bad chain of events. I've owned two ack legends (G1 &G2) and its funny, but when I cruise by the Ack dealership I don't even bother to look over there. The same old rsx,mdx,tsx, and that hideous looking RL . I wish them the best and I hope they can catch up to the field.