Tuesday, March 27, 2007

[Rumor] TSX Couple and SH-AWD for next TL & TSX.

Rumor floating around on Acura forums that it is has been confirmed by an Acura dealer that the next generation Acura TL & TSX will definitely have SH-AWD, however still questionable on a turbo TSX.
I am an Acura dealer and have had confirmation from our rep that the TSX re-design will be for the 2009 model year. AWD is definite and no confirmation on Turbo yet (not sure if that will only be on Type S or not). RSX will come back same time as TSX Coupe. I have also been told this release will happen earlier than Fall 08, and more along the lines of the original TSX release (Spring 08)

This will also coincide with the TL re-design (Fall 08) for 09 model year with AWD as definite and 3.5L and a mid-model re-design on the RL.

Current generation Acura TL

Speculations about SH-AWD being a feature for all Acuras have been around since the introduction of the Acura RDX and redesigned MDX. Front wheel drive only cars won't cut it competing in the luxury segment, so SH-AWD in all their cars make sense. Although, there is a good portion of the Acura population that would like to see a rear wheel drive option, this is unlikely to happen, at least in 2009.


Honda Sports 4 (rumored to be next gen TSX)

Not everyone is excited about a turbo TSX because of the poor gas mileage seen in the RDX (19 city - 24 highway). The RDX's fuel economy may be due to it's size and weight, a turbo sedan makes more sense. Still, only time will tell if the next TSX will see Acura's new force induction technology, maybe only on the TSX Type-S? There are some people out there who would like a small naturally aspired V6 instead of a turbo 4 cylinder.


Acura RSX

Currently, there are no coupes in Acura's lineup ever since they dropped the NSX and RSX. A brand that pushes luxury performance vehicles, yet doesn't have a sports car to sell sounds kind of like an oxymoron. There also have been some rumors of how Honda is going to drop the Honda S2000 so that Acura can pick it up. Either way, Acura needs a coupe soon.



Honda S2000

[Source of Rumors] Acurazine.com

Friday, March 23, 2007

[Video] 2007 ALMS (Sebring) Pre-Race Interview

Great interview with technical group leader for Acura motorsports at the 2007 12 hours of Sebring. Topics included number of horsepower the engine produces, which class to race in, angle of the V8 engine, and more. The pre-race interview was conducted before Acura's debut into the American Le Mans Series.



The debut was a great success for Acura because they finished 1st, 2nd, and 4th in their class, crashing Porsche, and kept up with the upper-class Audi basically the whole race.

[Video Source] Vtec.net

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

[Video] 2007 Acura MDX Review

The Acura MDX is an important vehicle for Acura because it makes up 30% of Acura's sales. The Fuel Show reviewed the new generation 2007 Acura MDX. They commented on the car's aggressive look, saying maybe it's "too aggressive." They also think the SUV is heavy. However, they were impressed with how the vehicle felt secure on the roads and that it's "basically an RL with a big set of tires and wheels." One of the commentators commented about the solid fit and finish, saying that his 1-year old was able to grab onto the DVD screen in the back and how it didn't come apart.


Results:
Q Factor = 4.50/5
Curb Appeal = 3.25/5
Performance = 3.75/5
Fit & Finish = 4.50/5
Drivability = 3.75/5
Total = 19.75/25

[Video] Acura ALMS LMP2 Lola First Test

Honda/Acura Recall!!!

Honda revealed a new recall for the United States that affects 165,000 vehicles that could develop engine problems from a sealer material that may leak onto wires in the engine and cause them to snap. Multiple complaints about the problem have been filed at Honda HQ, though none have led to crashes or injuries. This is the same issue that sparked the giant recall in China.

The affected vehicles include the 2005 Acura RL, TL and TSX, the entire 2005 Honda Accord lineup (include the Accord Hybrid), 2005 Honda Odyssey and 2006 Honda Ridgeline.



If you think your vehicle is affected, you can call Honda at (800) 999-1009 for more information.

[Source] AutoBlog.com

AcuraZine.com forum is reporting the following defective range for the various models:
2005 RL – From VIN JH4KB1...5C016266 thru JH4KB1...5C020997

2005 TL – From VIN 19UUA6...5A046061 thru 19UUA6...5A067961

2005 TSX – From VIN JH4CL9...5C018626 thru JH4CL9...5C025175

Monday, March 19, 2007

Acura Victory In American Le Mans Series



The three new Acura American Le Mans Series teams made a spectacular debut Saturday by taking the first, second and fourth positions in the LMP2 class at the 55th annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring. The Andretti Green Racing (AGR) team finished second overall to the factory Audi LMP1, racing on the lead lap against the more powerful German manufacturer before gearbox woes slowed the Acura ARX-01a driven by Herta in the final hour. Until the final hour, the AGR Acura machine (LMP2) challenged the more-powerful Audi in the upper-class (LMP1) lap for lap, before the late race gearbox problem slowed Herta in the final hour. The Fernandez team placed third overall, just two laps shy of the AGR team.



The victory was special for the staff of Honda Performance Development. The winning machine was designed and developed, in partnership with chassis specialist Wirth Research, at the HPD headquarters in Santa Clarita, Calif. It marked the first time an HPD-designed engine and car had competed in a U.S. racing event. The LMP2 race was set up to be a battle between the factory Porsches from Penske Racing and the three Acura factory cars. But early brake trouble for the Porsches proved to be German marque's demise. The Acura finish was one of the most impressive debuts ever seen in the 55-year history of the famed Sebring International Raceway and set the stage for the reminder of the 12-race American Le Mans Series.



The next Acura event is Saturday, March 31, on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., the three-hour Acura Sports Car Challenge.

[Source] AcuraNews.com

Although, it doesn't feature any Acuras, here's a clip from the 12 Hours of Sebring (2007):

Monday, March 12, 2007

[Video] MotorTrend.com's Acura ASC Unveiling

Another video of Acura's Advanced Sedan Concept unveiling at the LA Auto Show. The concept car is supposed to show what a vehicle will look like in 15 years (around 2020). The purpose of the design exercise was to look 2.5 generations ahead and rival Bentley or Maybach in terms of performance and luxury.

"Actually, we just wanted to build the biggest, bad-est, meanest luxury sedan we could." - Acura



Quote from video: "What will the luxury flagship of the future look like?"
My comment: Hopefully, not like this.

Making of the Advanced Sedan Concept.

[Video] 2007 Acura RDX Review From Fuel

The Fuel Show's review on the 2007 Acura RDX.



Q Factor = 4.25/5
Curb Appeal = 3.25/5
Performance = 3.75/5
Fit & Finish = 4.50/5
Drivability = 3.75/5

Overall = 19.50/25

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