View Poll Results: Should Acura differentiate itself by making AWD standard across the line?
Yes
18
47.37%
No
11
28.95%
Maybe
7
18.42%
Not Sure
2
5.26%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll
Acura May Follow Subaru
10-15-14, 12:20 AM
#19
Lexus Test Driver
Absolutely not! This is a terrible idea, that addresses a problem that does not exist. Not only that, it will add needless dollars to the sticker price and make the entire package less appealing in the dry west and southwest regions. Inflating a sticker price, adding weight, and forcing options many won't need is not how you help suffering sales. Styling a car right is how you increase sales. The beak needs to go. That is the #1 problem with this company, and many of us have said it from day one. People generally do not like a pointed metal cow catcher leading the front of their car.
10-15-14, 05:29 AM
#22
Absolutely not! This is a terrible idea, that addresses a problem that does not exist. Not only that, it will add needless dollars to the sticker price and make the entire package less appealing in the dry west and southwest regions. Inflating a sticker price, adding weight, and forcing options many won't need is not how you help suffering sales. Styling a car right is how you increase sales. The beak needs to go. That is the #1 problem with this company, and many of us have said it from day one. People generally do not like a pointed metal cow catcher leading the front of their car.
10-15-14, 06:27 AM
#23
I am in the not sure camp
Subie was AWD all the time and then comes the BRZ and the whole communication point is futzed.
For Acura, if the change comes with a design philosophy to go to longitudinal motors I like that (but we all know it ain't happening).
Truth be told, the luxury brands are increasingly using FWD into their product lines to offer either a lower priced starter model (MB CLA) or to maximize cabin room at a price point (Lexus ES, not new but a winning approach).
If Acura went AWD all the time, I think the TLX would be at a disadvantage against the ES in markets without bad weather.
AWD equals more cost and lower MPG, so that can't help Acura's cause when comparison shopping consumers are considered.
Subie was AWD all the time and then comes the BRZ and the whole communication point is futzed.
For Acura, if the change comes with a design philosophy to go to longitudinal motors I like that (but we all know it ain't happening).
Truth be told, the luxury brands are increasingly using FWD into their product lines to offer either a lower priced starter model (MB CLA) or to maximize cabin room at a price point (Lexus ES, not new but a winning approach).
If Acura went AWD all the time, I think the TLX would be at a disadvantage against the ES in markets without bad weather.
AWD equals more cost and lower MPG, so that can't help Acura's cause when comparison shopping consumers are considered.
Also, this day in age, AWD is becoming less and less of a premium feature, and if we're looking at luxury brands, Audi made AWD famous decades ago and still rides that reputation today. You can get AWD on mainstream vehicles (Subarus) and almost every single luxury vehicle.
Acura keeps grasping for straws and looking for ways to be relevant, but they don't actually want to play the game.
10-15-14, 07:09 AM
#24
Lexus Champion
I thought SH-AWD has superior torque vectoring by adding power or braking vs Subby's torque vectoring just using braking.
Last edited by bagwell; 10-15-14 at 07:15 AM.
10-15-14, 09:24 AM
#26
Not exactly. Everyone is getting hung up by a title name as if there is a comparison. Audi's are standard FWD (mostly base) and optional Quattro. Subaru with the exception of the BRZ is 100% AWD. Hence if Acura according to the article wants to make SH-AWD standard, that is following the Subaru model.
10-15-14, 09:44 AM
#27
I'm going to throw a curveball.
Let's talk about demographics.
Acura's market are techie people. Honda's grown-up and more affluent clientele. I'm guessing successful 30-somethings. Small families; Acura's not a minivan kind of brand. Asians mostly, then Caucasians. Not so sporty brand demographic, yet some enthusiasts buy manual transmission and don't mind the FWD drivetrain with a four-banger powertrain.
What's AWD for? Inclement weather. Improved handling. Yeah, it'll cost more and make the car heavier.
Does this address the needs of Acura's market demographic? No.
If Acura wants to be a significant car company, it needs a significant purpose. AWD alone won't do it.
Let's watch a film about brand "The Golden Circle":
Acura, what's your purpose? What's your cause? What's your belief? Why does your organization exist?
Let's talk about demographics.
Acura's market are techie people. Honda's grown-up and more affluent clientele. I'm guessing successful 30-somethings. Small families; Acura's not a minivan kind of brand. Asians mostly, then Caucasians. Not so sporty brand demographic, yet some enthusiasts buy manual transmission and don't mind the FWD drivetrain with a four-banger powertrain.
What's AWD for? Inclement weather. Improved handling. Yeah, it'll cost more and make the car heavier.
Does this address the needs of Acura's market demographic? No.
If Acura wants to be a significant car company, it needs a significant purpose. AWD alone won't do it.
Let's watch a film about brand "The Golden Circle":
Acura, what's your purpose? What's your cause? What's your belief? Why does your organization exist?
10-15-14, 09:53 AM
#28
Lexus Champion
I'm going to throw a curveball.
Let's talk about demographics.
Acura's market are techie people. Honda's grown-up and more affluent clientele. I'm guessing successful 30-somethings. Small families; Acura's not a minivan kind of brand. Asians mostly, then Caucasians. Not so sporty brand demographic, yet some enthusiasts buy manual transmission and don't mind the FWD drivetrain with a four-banger powertrain.
Let's talk about demographics.
Acura's market are techie people. Honda's grown-up and more affluent clientele. I'm guessing successful 30-somethings. Small families; Acura's not a minivan kind of brand. Asians mostly, then Caucasians. Not so sporty brand demographic, yet some enthusiasts buy manual transmission and don't mind the FWD drivetrain with a four-banger powertrain.
cuz I've never seen ONE driving an acura...but I'm not on the left coast either.
Last edited by bagwell; 10-15-14 at 10:00 AM.
10-15-14, 10:16 AM
#30
Lexus Test Driver
And Acura is already following Subaru in making ugly vehicles. Slap some standard AWD in there and be just like em.
This doesn't make since though. Acura just started offering the MDX in FWD drive in 2014. Seems like Acura is in fact doing the opposite. Maybe. This is my issue with Acura. They aren't sure which direction they're going. They're an ok car brand with some decent cars in their past and current lineup but they just seem kinda lost to me. And nothing with them stands out to me other than their red ignition buttons lol
