2010 Acura RL Rumors
03-18-08, 03:59 PM
#32
Lexus Fanatic
$70k for a midsized V8 sedan? Even if it comes only fully loaded, as Acura tends to do, it's about $5k-10k too expensive to be competitive, especially given the weight the marque carries. I do like the rumor of going with RWD (hopefully SH-RWD) with the option of rear-biased SH-AWD and a 420hp 4.8L V8. The rendering above should be just a random chop job as usual. While the chop does look good it seems to forget that it's a sedan not a coupe, as there appears to be very minimal interior room inside.
03-18-08, 04:02 PM
#33
$70k for a midsized V8 sedan? Even if it comes only fully loaded, as Acura tends to do, it's about $5k-10k too expensive to be competitive, especially given the weight the marque carries. I do like the rumor of going with RWD (hopefully SH-RWD) with the option of rear-biased SH-AWD and a 420hp 4.8L V8. The rendering above should be just a chop job as usual. While the chop does look good it seems to forget that it's a sedan not a coupe, as there appears to be very minimal interior room inside.
03-18-08, 04:08 PM
#35
Even better if Acura gives the V6 cylinder deactivation also. They have the resource already, why not put it into use? I have a feeling if the V6 is left untouched while the V8 gets cylinder deactivation, the v8 will have the same, if not better highway fuel economy. It's only reasonable if Honda applies it to the V6 also.
03-18-08, 04:18 PM
#36
Even better if Acura gives the V6 cylinder deactivation also. They have the resource already, why not put it into use? I have a feeling if the V6 is left untouched while the V8 gets cylinder deactivation, the v8 will have the same, if not better highway fuel economy. It's only reasonable if Honda applies it to the V6 also.
03-18-08, 07:38 PM
#37
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There's no reason Acura shouldn't have a 70K flagship. My 1994 Legend sedan GS was 39K!
Many here say the brand isn't ready for it, but it's a chicken and egg... you can't up the brand image without the product. The current RL is a technically VERY impressive vehicle, but it's too small, has an unremarkable V6, and is fairly bland looking - all leading to its current pathetic sales levels.
If Acura hits one out of the park it will do wonders for their image.
Many here say the brand isn't ready for it, but it's a chicken and egg... you can't up the brand image without the product. The current RL is a technically VERY impressive vehicle, but it's too small, has an unremarkable V6, and is fairly bland looking - all leading to its current pathetic sales levels.
If Acura hits one out of the park it will do wonders for their image.
03-18-08, 07:46 PM
#38
If the $70k price tag is for the top of the line model with all the bells and whistles, then it's probably going to be within the ballpark of a loaded BMW 550 and Mercedes E550. That's not bad, but I wonder what the base price would be.
I think acura is ready for it, as long as it's priced competitively. 4.8L V8 with 420hp would definitely shut up those who keep on complaining about power. Detune it and you probably have an engine that's ready for the Honda Ridgeline, assuming they redesign the truck with emphasis in RWD/4WD
I think acura is ready for it, as long as it's priced competitively. 4.8L V8 with 420hp would definitely shut up those who keep on complaining about power. Detune it and you probably have an engine that's ready for the Honda Ridgeline, assuming they redesign the truck with emphasis in RWD/4WD
03-18-08, 07:54 PM
#39
There's no reason Acura shouldn't have a 70K flagship. My 1994 Legend sedan GS was 39K!
Many here say the brand isn't ready for it, but it's a chicken and egg... you can't up the brand image without the product. The current RL is a technically VERY impressive vehicle, but it's too small, has an unremarkable V6, and is fairly bland looking - all leading to its current pathetic sales levels.
If Acura hits one out of the park it will do wonders for their image.
Many here say the brand isn't ready for it, but it's a chicken and egg... you can't up the brand image without the product. The current RL is a technically VERY impressive vehicle, but it's too small, has an unremarkable V6, and is fairly bland looking - all leading to its current pathetic sales levels.
If Acura hits one out of the park it will do wonders for their image.
03-18-08, 08:07 PM
#40
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Yeah my roomate's '95 SE was $39k, which I can't really understand why it cost that much. I realize that they are different vehicles, but my Legacy GT cost $27.5k and has all the same features that his Legend does except for the Bose (stock was panasonic) and a 6 cylinder engine (but hey, I gots AWD). And who likes Bose anymore, honestly. Legend also lacked foglights and has a smaller backseat, smaller wheels, an average safety rating. Maybe its a silly comparison given that my vehicle is 4 years newer and not considered luxury, but man $39k!
03-18-08, 08:22 PM
#41
V8 Powered Acura on the Way
TOKYO — Remember that oh-so-ugly Acura Advanced Sedan Concept we saw at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show?
No prizes for guessing that it was indeed a design study for the next-generation Acura RL. Fortunately, Honda has listened to the criticism and has completely restyled the flagship sedan's exterior and distanced the face from the Accord's.
Actually, Honda has been listening to the word on the street very carefully, because it has finally decided to give the luxury sedan a V8, to help it compete with strong rivals in the U.S., including Audi, BMW and Lexus.
One source tells us that Honda is currently working on a 420-horsepower 4.8-liter V8, and will employ the same cylinder deactivation technology we see on the current Japan-spec Inspire V6, thus generating class-leading fuel economy figures.
But unlike the current RL, which sits on a front-wheel-drive platform and features Honda's SH-AWD four-wheel-drive system, the all-new RL will instead incorporate a rear-drive platform, one necessity that Honda planners have clearly identified in this segment, and a reconfigured SH-AWD system that engages the front wheels when rear traction is compromised.
Slated for a mid-2010 debut, the new RL is expected to land in showrooms wearing a higher price tag of over $70,000.
03-18-08, 08:29 PM
#42
The legend came from a different era. Compared to the Legend's competitor at the time, it was competitively priced.
MSRP for the following cars:
Acura Legend GS: $42,650
Mercedes E320: $43,500
BMW 530: $44,400
Lexus GS300: $43,600
As you approach the luxury market, you are slowly drifting away from value.
MSRP for the following cars:
Acura Legend GS: $42,650
Mercedes E320: $43,500
BMW 530: $44,400
Lexus GS300: $43,600
As you approach the luxury market, you are slowly drifting away from value.
03-18-08, 09:40 PM
#44
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Honda would need to go at least one step beyond the current RL interior in terms of quality and craftsmanship in order to equal the LS interior.
03-18-08, 10:23 PM
#45
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I will agree with that, even as an Acura and RL supporter and someone who cancelled an order for an LS600hL. The RL is head and shoulders above everything else in its class, but not quite at the level of the LS in terms of interior quality and details. Then again, I found a couple of items in the LS that made me slap my head and wonder "Why?!" because they were details that were forgotten...