The RL is the Legend. They simply need a new name.

 

haha yeah, some people need to dig on history j/k

jokes aside, i can see the issue with rl name tag. it depends on how acura is going to play it. another name can help, but that means another gnd zero

 

It actually isn't just history, but present as well. The RL is still being marketed as the Honda Legend outside North America even today.

 

There is definitely quite a lot of untapped potential for the fmr Acura Legend, IMO...it was the car which launched the brand, and the first Japanese branded luxury car for the US. I think that a V8 option is a good start.

It could work out for Acura to shift into a TSX/TL/RL clear tiered system like the C/E/S, 3/5/7, and IS/GS/LS, whereas now the 3 vehicles are much closer to one another.

However, it strikes me that there is a lot more flexibility at the top end for Acura to define their flagship. Aiming straight for LS/S-Class territory may be a leap too far, despite what their PR claims indicate of being "Tier 1 in 5 years" etc. OTOH, if Honda puts good emphasis on technology, styling, etc., they could conceivably pull off a winner.

That said, I more realistically still see a V6 powered Acura flagship sedan, larger, and with a V8 option. It could be a similar chart-topper as Infiniti's M, Lincoln's MKS, etc. The Acura flagship could straddle the midsize price range while being somewhat larger than the norm and a bit pricier; not starting at the 70K territory but potentially reaching there with options.

The new TSX still has a 4-cylinder engine, so I think Acura is not going to lose the value luxury card. However I question Acura's direction to drop touchscreens; the new TSX is stated here: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...close-tsx.html

"For 2009, Acura has replaced the TSX's touch-screen navigation system with a more-in-vogue ****-based system that uses a large dial in the middle of the dash to control navigation functions."

It used to be the TSX/TL that had the touchscreen, now the TSX joins the RL and the rest of the lineup in having a dash ****. I wish that weren't the case. Acura is now the Japanese luxe make with ***** only; Infiniti offers both touch and ****, Lexus uses touch. I question the idea of the **** 'in vogue.'

Finally, I do think the 'RL' moniker can be replaced. But I'm not sure by what.

 

Of course I have driven all 3 of them. Only drove the IS300 on a few occasions, but had a lot of seat time in the RSX-S as my brother in law owned one, and also I own an E36 and still own an E46 so I have a lot of seat time in those. I also got to use my brother in laws 05 TSX for an entire weekend as well. Sales figures aside, none of those cars come close to matching a 3 series. I guess you are right that the IS300 may have been intended to go up against the 3, but it sure matched up better with the RSX-S and even the TSX if that car were available at the same time.

As for the RL, I do think it matches up well against the 5/and GS, just not in actual sales.

 

We all know the Accord is no RL but calling the Accord crappy? Even at half the price of an RL, the Accord is one of the highest precision crafted automobiles built today and has always been the benchmark to which all others cars in its class are compared. IMO, an EX-V6 Accord is 9/10's of an RL for 20k less.

 

I partially agree. I wouldn't call the Accord crappy ever. I also don't think the Accord (Even the latest one) is near 9/10s the current RL. I would say maybe 6/10 on my scale. When I drove the RL I was very impressed with it. Handling is very neutral and RWD like, and interior fit, finish and feel were IMHO better than the 06+ GS. Not as good as the new LS460, but very comparable and better in some ways than my 99 LS400 in terms of quality and comfort feel.

When I sat in and drove the new Accord, I was very disappointed. When the pictures first came out on the internet, I too along with many thought it looked very Acura like. When I checked it out in person I could tell it belong in the Honda class. Everything about the Accord looked good, but the entire fit, finish, and general feel of the car definitely felt a step down to even the TSX, and in drivability and over all quality and feel was nowhere near Acura RL level. At least for me.

 

I'll give you that. I'll revise my statement to say 7/10's because the lack of AWD and slightly higher quality materials, fit, and finish.

 

$70K.

Not sure any Acura this side of an NSX-type vehicle is worth that.

 

Exactly...the legend must LIVE!

 

I don't know what this article is talking about but the new restyled 2009 RL has already been introduced (and talked about on CL).

Unfortunately, it takes a step in the wrong direction.

Here it is below so we're not going to see this "all new 2010 model". The facelifted '09 will probably go on for 3 years.

 

They said they'll debut it in mid-2010, not necessarily on sale then. Which make sense because they can probably release it in early/mid 2011 as a 2012 model. It'll be 3 years from now. Can't really make a new V8 engine and chassis within a year.

 

IS350jet, CK6Speed nailed it about the Accord vs. Acura RL.

My writing style is sometimes a little aggressive, or exaggerative, but that's me. I think a few members know me the way I type things....

But the Accord is no comparison to the RL when it comes to build quality and material used. Accord is made in America and the material quality has gone down. It's not quite the same as a long way back in 90's. Whereas RL, uses some crazy shi.t. That thing is made with some quality mon..... quality..... this thing is no joke. I told ya it's about comparable to the Lexus LS series.

Gotta give respect where it's due.... I ain't gonna hide it.

 

Unless Acura really doesn't have a new RL being designed right now, I think a 2010 release is possible. Acura used be be very good at bringing out the new generation 4-5 years. If anything, a 2010 as a 2011 model is very possible.

 

But they're are not going to run the 2009 model I posted above for only a year or two. The earliest we'll see an all new RL is the 2012 model year. Otherwise, Acura wouldn't have completely restyled the front and rear of the current RL, they would've just waited another year for an all new one.