Acura: Too far gone to make a comeback?

[Janizary]

As a continuation of a 'off topic' converstaion in ///sickyute's 'welcome' thread, I thought we could move the conversation out to the general population
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Is Acura TOO Far Gone To Make A Comeback? - AutoSpies Auto News

Originally Posted by agent001

Obviously, it's not the best of times over at Acura these days.

A once great brand has somehow virtually put themselves on the edge of irrelevance.

So much speculation to why it's happened...no rear-wheel drive, no V8, too small, poor designs, etc., etc, etc.

And after seeing the 09' RL our outlook for them is not strong.

Even the guys who run a popular Acura site (which will go un-named for confidentiality reasons here) told me in Chicago these guys are as close to toast as you can get.

Is there any light at the end of the tunnel?

Well, one of their anonymous executives in Chicago said by the end of this year when we see all these new models out (like the new RL, TEX, etc.), Acura will be back at the top of the heap of great car designs.

Do you believe him?

Or are they too far gone to make a comeback and have they become the Jaguar of the Asian brands?

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Janizary's thoughts:

My thoughts on this topic are expressed in sicky's thread (above). Briefly:

Originally Posted by Janizary

Acura needs an 'Image Revamp' on their market and business model, overall. They rated one of the lowest scores in customer perceptions of 'desirability' in a recent market poll.

The new RL styling is calling up hordes of Romero-like death groans from Honda/Acura forums across the net. Not to even bring up the ever-present topic of "Where's the V8 (beef)?".

Acrua needs a win, better yet, a few wins to put under its belt in the next year or so. The new TSX with options for the new 2.2L i-DTEC and possibly a 2.3T or J35 option, as well as the rumored revamp of the TL (300ish HP and SHAWD) and a rumored "comeback" of the CL (with possible RHT) would go a long way to bring back some positive press for Acrua. In the meantime, keep watching those monthly sales figures slump, slump, slump.

[Janizary]

New York Preview: 2009 Acura TSX details surface - Autoblog

Not a mention at all in the official press release about a 'potential' Type-S, 2.3T, V6, or SHAWD.

Way to go, Acura. Keep churning out the same boring car with a facelift. Do you suppose anyone is looking at their horribly slumping sales figures? The net feedback on their 'new' RL? Someone needs to be fired.

[Janizary]

Some light at the end of the tunnel? Or too little too late?

Acura upscale shift inspires 'great faith in the future' - Automotive News

[dentrecords]

Acrua is not too far gone, but they aren't doing themselves any favours at the moment IMO. People seem to be awaiting a new TSX with more power and AWD and instead they got a face lift only. If they had made a Type S model, keeping the base model configured virtually the same power train wise would have still been a slight disappointment but wouldn't have seemed quite like the glaring oversight it is. The RL has never been a volume seller by any means and now has a huge honking offensive chrome grille, as well as a tacky rear chrome plate spanning the trunk, seemingly putting a lot of potential buyers off before even looking at the spec sheet. Even though the current TL looks like a work of art, I fear it too will be given a honking ugly chrome grille too so it matches with the rest of the line for the next model. Whatever exec decided that was the direction their looks are taking needs a slap upside the head, it's hideous.

They want to be in the same category as Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz? They better start making power trains that aren't so anemic and FWD. I think if they did that (tough for a company so obsessed with making efficient smaller engines) and ditched the chrome, they would actually be moving toward their stated goal rather than just reinforcing people's current perceptions of the brand.

[RaskyR1]

Wow! I never realized that Acura was in a slump. Guess I need to get out more.

I will say that I can't stand the front end of the new TSX!

[Janizary]

2009 Acura TL: What To Expect From The New TL, TL Type-S

Originally Posted by jalopnik.com

Despite having absolutely no idea on exactly what day the 2009 Acura TL will break loose from it's embargoed chains, some details are beginning to leak out in hushed whispers as the unknown date draws ever-closer. Those whispers all seem to be saying the same thing: Expect more power. Yes, with a Tim Allen-like grunt, we're told Acura will give significant bumps in horsepower to the next base model TL as well as to the up-powered Type-S model. Here's what our sources are able to tell us so far:

The regular 2009 TL sedan will inherit the 3.5-liter V6 under the hood of the current TL Type-S. That motor puts out 286 HP now however, we expect this V6 to be tuned up to just over 300 horses when it finds its new home in the 2009 TL's engine compartment. Initially that news has us just plain giddy -- however, all that horsepower will be heading torque-spinningly straight to the front wheels. Frankly, that has us a little worried. For now we'll just hold out hope Acura has invented an insanely great torque management system.

The much more exciting news lies in the next generation TL Type-S. Under the hood you will find the 3.7-liter V6 from the MDX CUV. That's an engine already rated at 300 HP in the MDX and our industry sources tell us to expect this motor to be good for around 330 HP in the TL's hot rod version. That said, we've also heard whispers that a number in the 340-350 HP range is not totally out of the realm of possibility.

If those horsepower numbers get your blood flowing, remember that power will also be coursing through Acura's torque-vectoring, SH-AWD system on the Type-S. That leads us to hope those rumors about a number closer to 350 HP turn out to be true.

The last bit of good news on the Type-S is the slush box. A 6 speed, manumatic DSG gearbox will be standard equipment on this faster-than-average sports sedan. Expect to be able to shift the gears through steering wheel-mounted, flappy-paddle shifters, or with the "stick" itself via a "+/-" gate.

Watch for the regular 2009 TL to go on sale during the summer or fall of 2008 and we expect the meaner S-Type following 6-12 months later.

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Janizary's thoughts: If true, BOOYA ACURA!

Some Honda executive somewhere has an evil plan to stop this from happening. He has sleepless nights thinking about 300+HP and a non-FWD platform. It is upsetting his balance in the universe and IT MUST BE STOPPED!

[webby]

I must say, I don't like the new grill of the tsx. Pics in this months car and driver left me disappointed. Am I reading this right - the 09 tl-s will have this new engine?

[Janizary]

According the article it looks like the 'regular' '09 TL will get the current TL-S engine and the TL-S would get the 3.7L with the bumped power specs. Given typical Acura release schedules, I wonder if the TL-S would be an '09, or if they would hold it off for '10 release.

[Janizary]

More rumors and speculation:

Rumormill: 2009 Acura TL coming in 2 flavors, gets AWD - Autoblog

Originally Posted by autoblog.com

Honda/Acura had its 2009 dealer meeting in New Orleans last week, and a little birdie that claims to have attended has whispered some details about the 2009 Acura TL in our ears. According to our anonymous tipster, the '09 TL range will consist of two models. The front-wheel-drive car will be powered by a 3.5L V6 delivering 280 horsepower. The step-up version will feature SH AWD and have a 3.7L, 300-horsepower V6 underhood (presumably the same one used in the MDX). We're told the latter car is not a Type-S, by the way -- that trim level goes back into hibernation with the arrival of the '09. Word is, the car "looks amazing." The TL in its current state is Acura's best-looking vehicle, so our curiosity is definitely piqued.

[sklavezumbimmer]

The last (this) generation of TL is the only good looking car they have. The new TSX = Fail. They lost me. In all a honestly, all the Japanese companies may be loosing me to Europe again. I love the new G37 and G35, the IS 350 is pure love but Audi and BMw hell even Volvo are gaining my attention more & more each day. Acura is not living up to any expectations of mine. I'd rather take my chances on a potentially unreliable A4 rather than be seen in the new TSX.

[Janizary]

I'll be interested in seeing the diesel TSX when it finally hits the streets. Ugly superman delfector shield or not, it may be a draw if it pulls the right MPG. Particularly since the new VW diesel seems have gone down in MPG for whatever reason.

Still doesn't get us around the issue with diesel capactiy here in the states though. NIMBY is killing us in the refinery market.

[Janizary]

More on the possible RL release:

Spy Shots: 2011 Acura RL with maybe RWD and maybe V8 - Autoblog

(Don't be fooled by the TSX body, its a test mule)

And on that note, I'm still thinking about picking up a Mahindra diesel truck when they hit the shores (to replace one of my aging Cherokees as a utility vehicle).

Mahindra's diesel pickup drops 'Appalachian' name - Autoblog

[Janizary]

2009 Acura TL shows its face, AWD confirmed - Autoblog

Originally Posted by Autoblog.com

The 2009 Acura TL is coming this fall, and Acura has released the first official image of the car. Acura's love-it-or-hate-it new shield-grille face is affixed to the front end of the new sedan, which also sports thin, slanted headlamps and a pair of angular lower intakes. A pronounced accent line sweeps down from back to front, where it leads directly into a very pronounced wheel arch. Looks like we'll have to wait a little longer to see the car's posterior.

Two TL flavors will be offered, confirming the preview report that we ran back in April. Honda doesn't announce powertrain specifics other than to confirm that the new TL will be available with Acura's SH-AWD system and also offer the marque's "most powerful engine ever." We assume that to mean the 300-horsepower 3.7L engine used in the RL and MDX will also be making an appearance in the TL. Based on what we were told back in April, look for a 280-horsepower 3.5L to serve as the base engine in the FWD car.

[dentrecords]

kinda looks like a camry to me

[2fast4u2]