Acura's Plans for the future

[sashok]

Hello all,

I looked for a better forum to post this on this site, but there seems to be nothing that will fit the context. Anyway, does anybody have any assumptions/suggestions/info on what Honda/Acura plan on doing to continue expanding the Acura brand? I'm a huge Acura fan (starting with the Legend) and I'm quite concerned as to how Acura plans to continue to compete in the toughening luxury market.

Here are my concerns:

It seems as though Acura is the only luxury player right now with all vehicles being fwd (I'm talking sedans here, besides the RL). Furthermore it seems as though Acura is trying to go for the driving enthusiast and then luxury market. How will Acura continue to compete well when all the other players have either rwd or awd products? To me it seems that a major overhaul of the platforms is due if Acura indeed wanted to go head-on with the big players such as BMW and MB. (and Lexus too, as much as I prefer Acura and Infiniti after that).
Ex: TSX=3er competitor~new Lexus IS. The IS will have a 250 and 350 variants with the latter producing over 300hp. There is no way Acura will take the TSX and put anywhere near that number in it being fwd...see my point?

Another factor is fwd handling. Even though we all know how beatifully the TSX and TL handle, they won't be able to handle some of the power that will come with future engine upgrades.

I understand the theory behind Honda/Acura minimalist thinking and not "trying to take over the world arguments", however, in order for the to continue to compete and make money and do business, Acura will need competing products.

Will they follow Lexus in their footsteps and "globalize" the Acura brand and products (something I don't see them doing because of the Accord/TSX combo/others)?

Will they follow Audi and switch most of their vehicles (at leas the high end ones) to awd?

Any thoughts appreciated

P.S. I'm not sure whether or not I clearly/completely stated my question/concern, I'll try to think it over. It's just that I had to do it at this moment

[navdhanju]

Welcome... great first post.. but im too tired to help answer or give my own feedback right now... later perhaps

[The General]

While I agree with you that for Acura to really compete in the "driving enthusiast" category their cars need to be either AWD or RWD, you have to also remember that FWD provides the best gas mileage, lowest weight, and lowest cost to manufacturer. So, when/if Acura does change platforms to really compete in the enthusiast category, they will lose marketshare in the others I mentioned. What they should do is offer and AWD package option for the TL and TSX.

[JimF]

I'm not sure I completely agree that Acura is going after the "driving enthusiast" segment. I think Acura is going after the well-healed segment. The segment that wants Honda reliability with added luxury and features.

I love my TL, but coming from Saab as a "driving enthusiast", the TL doesn't even compare in terms of auditory and sensory enjoyment that the Saab 9-3 (as ONE example) does.

-jim

[ekimevil]

Originally Posted by JimF

I'm not sure I completely agree that Acura is going after the "driving enthusiast" segment. I think Acura is going after the well-healed segment. The segment that wants Honda reliability with added luxury and features.

I love my TL, but coming from Saab as a "driving enthusiast", the TL doesn't even compare in terms of auditory and sensory enjoyment that the Saab 9-3 (as ONE example) does.

-jim

I agree one hundred percent.

[ekimevil]

people will always buy Acuras... just because. They don't need to make AWD or RWD vehicles just to "stay" competitive.... they'll always be competitive just because they are Acura and have tremendous value. ANd since we're all different, there will always be those who buy BMW, MC Benz, Acura, Saab, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, LExus, and so on and so on... sure it would be nice to have an AWD or RWD version of my TL, but I really don't care all that much... well at least not as much as you guys seem to care.. I'm compltelely and utterly satisfied with both of my Acs... and everytime I walk out to either one I can't fuckin wait to get in it and drive! That's all that matters! *cheers*

[phroenips]

I also really like my FWD cars in the winter time

[patrick]

Originally Posted by JimF

I love my TL, but coming from Saab as a "driving enthusiast", the TL doesn't even compare in terms of auditory and sensory enjoyment that the Saab 9-3 (as ONE example) does.

-jim

Jim, I'm totally unfamiliar with the Saab. Could you briefly enhance my understanding of what you mean by your statement.

[ekimevil]

Originally Posted by patrick

Jim, I'm totally unfamiliar with the Saab. Could you briefly enhance my understanding of what you mean by your statement.

Saab is a swedish manufacturer, and not all but most of their cars are more of a driver's car than say a TL which is just tad bit more on the luxury side of things than a sports luxury sedan (like a Bimmer per say)... Saab also manufactures jet engines, etc... basically what he meant in his statement was--> auditory: Can't hear engine, or the engine doesn't sound like a sports car engine, and, sensory: Doesn't quite have the handling or the feel of a true sport car.

[Sarushibai]

wow yea first good post.. hmm.. well im hoping that the 4gen TLs (maybe in 08??) will be rwd, but yea they do use up more gas and are more expensive, and if there is one thing the japanese are good at, its efficiency. Although to be honest they might just do it neway in order to make the cars more competitive. Honestly that was a major thing for me, was the rwd. Sometimes I wish I had gotten the G35. Until I realize gas is 3.00 fucking dollars a gallon, and then im glad i get 35 mpg on the highway (40 with the ac off at night!!! nuts can you believe that, its like a carolla!!).

[JimF]

Originally Posted by ekimevil

Saab is a swedish manufacturer, and not all but most of their cars are more of a driver's car than say a TL which is just tad bit more on the luxury side of things than a sports luxury sedan (like a Bimmer per say)... Saab also manufactures jet engines, etc... basically what he meant in his statement was--> auditory: Can't hear engine, or the engine doesn't sound like a sports car engine, and, sensory: Doesn't quite have the handling or the feel of a true sport car.

Yes, that's pretty much exactly what I meant . Flooring it in the 9-3 you would hear this incredible sound from the engine, and your head would be plastered to the headrest. It didn't have the HP of the TL, but it's torque blew it out of the water, and it sounded awesome - not from the exhaust, the engine itself. The TL sounds really tinny at higher RPMs... no "grunt". Also, the Saab provided a much truer sense of the road. It's hard to explain unless you've experienced it first hand.

[The General]

Originally Posted by Sarushibai

wow yea first good post.. hmm.. well im hoping that the 4gen TLs (maybe in 08??) will be rwd, but yea they do use up more gas and are more expensive, and if there is one thing the japanese are good at, its efficiency. Although to be honest they might just do it neway in order to make the cars more competitive. Honestly that was a major thing for me, was the rwd. Sometimes I wish I had gotten the G35. Until I realize gas is 3.00 fucking dollars a gallon, and then im glad i get 35 mpg on the highway (40 with the ac off at night!!! nuts can you believe that, its like a carolla!!).

40 mpg??? Hum...I'm not calling you a liar, but that number is pretty far out there. Hell, 35 mpg is barely doable with a K&N, the a/c off and cruise control set at 55 mph.

I just rode a 500-mile trip on my completely stock motorcycle and got 42 mpg while cuising between 60 and 80 on backroads. No way can my TL get close to that!

[ekimevil]

Originally Posted by JimF

Also, the Saab provided a much truer sense of the road. It's hard to explain unless you've experienced it first hand.

I do agree with you to a certain extent, I know how it feels to drive some of the best handling road cars... but at the same time... I am rather impressed with how the TL handles itself for everyday driving, even down twisty mountain roads. I really can't explain it, I just really love my TL I don't care what pulls up beside me, I feel as good as can be driving my TL... for me it's just the perfect mesh between classy and sport MY TL!!! And it's just so fucking comfy!

[JimF]

Originally Posted by ekimevil

I do agree with you to a certain extent, I know how it feels to drive some of the best handling road cars... but at the same time... I am rather impressed with how the TL handles itself for everyday driving, even down twisty mountain roads. I really can't explain it, I just really love my TL I don't care what pulls up beside me, I feel as good as can be driving my TL... for me it's just the perfect mesh between classy and sport MY TL!!! And it's just so fucking comfy!

Don't get me wrong... I love my TL too. I think it's a great car... very smooth, great acceleration, comfy (as you said), etc. Nevermind the technical goodies like HFL and DVD-A that I absolutely love...