Honda President: No need for RWD
07-20-09, 11:04 AM
#1
Honda President: No need for RWD
Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/honda-...wd-sedans.html
Front-wheel drive cars, no matter how well-engineered, are always a compromise when it comes to being fast. They do enjoy some advantages in terms of packaging and efficiency, however, and Honda's new president Takanobu Ito is firmly behind the continued absence of RWD cars in the company's lineup.
The move is especially curious with regard to the premium end of the market, where RWD sedans continue to dominate at brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and even Lexus. Still, Ito is sticking to his guns on the issue.
"It would be meaningless to emulate what other companies have been doing for more than five decades," Ito said of a front-engine, rear-drive car, according to an Automotive News report.
Instead, Ito wants to continue pushing into new territory in terms of packaging, technology and efficiency, with new engines and transmissions for its medium and large-sized sedans - especially hybrids. A first step in this direction was the announcement last fall of a manual transmission available in the SH-AWD 2010 Acura TL alongside a pair of new V6 engines.
This leaves Honda's premium Acura brand on similar ground to Audi, with front-drive sedans supplemented by AWD, though Acura hasn't fully embraced AWD the way Audi has with its quattro system.
Will Acura be able to compete against the upper echelon of the luxury market with primarily front-driven, highly-efficient sedans? Or is the dynamic advantage of RWD simply too important to overcome? Let us know in the comments section below.
The move is especially curious with regard to the premium end of the market, where RWD sedans continue to dominate at brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and even Lexus. Still, Ito is sticking to his guns on the issue.
"It would be meaningless to emulate what other companies have been doing for more than five decades," Ito said of a front-engine, rear-drive car, according to an Automotive News report.
Instead, Ito wants to continue pushing into new territory in terms of packaging, technology and efficiency, with new engines and transmissions for its medium and large-sized sedans - especially hybrids. A first step in this direction was the announcement last fall of a manual transmission available in the SH-AWD 2010 Acura TL alongside a pair of new V6 engines.
This leaves Honda's premium Acura brand on similar ground to Audi, with front-drive sedans supplemented by AWD, though Acura hasn't fully embraced AWD the way Audi has with its quattro system.
Will Acura be able to compete against the upper echelon of the luxury market with primarily front-driven, highly-efficient sedans? Or is the dynamic advantage of RWD simply too important to overcome? Let us know in the comments section below.
07-20-09, 11:08 AM
#3
I try not to get too consumed in the Acura-bashing that seems like a popular past time here, but it's hard not to laugh at this. A few months ago the company announced that they were killing the NSX, then later announced the termination of the plan to build a V-8, and now we have this news. The Acura fans must be mad.
This really reinforces the fact that Acura is more of a top-shelf Honda trim level, not so much an independent brand
This really reinforces the fact that Acura is more of a top-shelf Honda trim level, not so much an independent brand
07-20-09, 11:11 AM
#4
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07-20-09, 11:13 AM
#5
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Japanese cars are past the days of cheap/flimsy reputation. Honda NSX, Honda Legend (this may need a renaming for the US), Honda Integra would probably do just fine imo, although a new Integra/RSX would conflict with the Civic Coupe.
Given the pressing times, I'm not surprised that pure sports cars are on the backburner.
Given the pressing times, I'm not surprised that pure sports cars are on the backburner.
Last edited by superchan7; 07-20-09 at 11:16 AM.
07-20-09, 11:18 AM
#7
Audi continues to gobble up market share, Hyundai is coming with RWD, V8s, and luxury features that no Acura has ever had, while brands like Cadillac and Jaguar continue to show signs of life.
Considering all of this, I really think Acura is going to be facing an uncertain, bleak, and quiet future. The competition is way too strong, and the brand is showing no signs of trying to regain it's former competitiveness.
There is something to be said for "dancing to your own tune", and another for being utterly ignorant.
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07-20-09, 11:32 AM
#8
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This announcement basically means they will remain all Accord based vehicles and some will have AWD optional. That is what he is saying without saying it. They feel what they are doing now is fine, amazingly.
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07-20-09, 12:01 PM
#12
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Here is a company that can make the NSX and S2000 hang with the best of them and its not like they chose FWD. They KNEW RWD was the only way to go.
They simply REFUSE to invest in the cost and tech for RWD, V-8s etc while everyone else has.
Then again, this is the same company who's luxury brand offers an ancient 5 speed auto so we can't be surprised.
