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While Hyundai targets BMW and Mercedes, Acura takes it up a notch with Bentley and Maybach in its sight. This is Honda’s luxury division Acura, who just opened a new design center in California in May, hoping to distance itself from Honda.
“We want to rival Bentley and Maybach in performance and design,” said Dave Marek, chief designer for Honda R&D Americas, in an interview with Automotive News.
But while Acura dreams of playing in the big leauge, the truth is that since there is no V8 or rear-wheel drive car in its lineup, Acura will remain a second-tier luxury brand.
Click through to see the entire list of Acura’s future lineup.
Acura TSX: The small Acura sedan will get a redesign for the 2009 model year. Acura is also planning the same turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is in the RDX crossover.
Acura TL: A redesign is in the works for the 2009 model year. Finally, Acura will offer all-wheel drive with a new 3.5-liter V6 engine that develops close to 300 horsepower. A V6 diesel may be available for the 2010 model year for Europe.
Acura RL: The new redesign continues to disappointed Acura and its dealers. Consumers are refusing to pay premium price for a V6-powered vehicle. The RL will get a total redesign for the 2011 model year. There has been no word on whether it will get a V8 but some sources say it may get a V10.
Acura NSX: No date has been given for the next-generation NXS but sources says it could be in the 2010 or 2011 model year. Acura sources say the company hasn’t decided whether the next NSX will be powered by a V10 or if it will be a mid-engine, rwd car or a front-engine awd vehicle.
Acura RDX: Acura’s new small SUV went on sale as a 2007 model. No major changes are scheduled.
Acura MDX: The mid-sized crossover was just redesigned for the 2007 model year. No major changes are planned in but a V6 diesel will be available for the 2010 or 2011 model year.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
Technorati Tags: Cars, Car, Auto, Automobile, Vehicles, Technology, Auto News, News, Automotive, Acura
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Tom Underhill Says:
August 20th, 2007 at 6:10 pmVisit Tom Underhill
Even though I’ve owned two Acura Legends, I’m not sure I’d stop to test drive a new Acura while on my way to the Infinity dealer.
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bobmarley Says:
August 21st, 2007 at 8:35 amVisit bobmarley
depends what car your going to look at at the infinity dealer. If its a G37 then Acura has nothing to compete. But i see Acura as a low profile luxury brand at an affordable price.
Erik Says:
August 23rd, 2007 at 5:11 pmVisit Erik
Good thing you don’t even know how to spell a brand of car (Infiniti) that you would much rather drive…
Not saying that Infiniti isn’t a great brand, but Acura makes some really great cars aswell. They do need to get their crap together with the next new lineup though. Get a V8 and answer all those little complaints people are giving.
Artome Says:
September 2nd, 2007 at 3:41 pmVisit Artome
I find it curious that the next TSX will be a turbo-charged 4 cyl. The small engine ideology that Acura is hung over does not sell luxury cars. Not in the US. It sells Hondas, yes. Acura is the only luxury carmaker with no V-8 in its stable. Talk of lagging behind, Acura has been deaf to the cries of the auto consumers for a bit too long.. I think they ought to pay the price at some point, they probably are. Acura needs more than a new design center to catch up with Lexus, they need an inspired design team (if the advanced sports sedan concept is any indication, the current team needs to be retired). They need to stop prattling about aiming for Bentley and MB and get back to work!! (oh the TSX is NOT a luxury car!)-disappointed fan