2009 Acura TL with almost no camo

[Source]

Acura's First Overall American Le Mans Series Win

David Brabham's last-lap pole run on Friday at Lime Rock Park was trumped by his perform- ance Saturday in the Northeast Grand Prix.

The No. 9 Patrón Highcroft Acura ARX-01b driver put in one of the best maneuvers in American Le Mans Series history with a first-turn outside pass of Timo Bernhard to score Acura's first overall victory in two seasons of ALMS competition in front of massive crowd encircling the 1.53-mile road course.

Brabham, who co-drove to his second 24 Hours of Le Mans title last month, came from a 5.5-second deficit with eight minutes remaining in the two-hour, 45-minute feature to move around Bernhard's Penske Porsche on the next to last lap. The native Australian took over the driving chores from Scott Sharp with 90 minutes to go and worked his way from fourth to second on Lap 126. The final 40 laps proved to be an all-out sprint to the checkered flag, as Brabham and Bernhard diced their way through the backmarkers in a thrilling down-to-the-wire finish.









Northeast Grand Prix ALMS Race (Overall)
1. PATRÓN HIGHCROFT ACURA ARX-01b No. 9
2. Penske Porsche No. 7
3. Penske Porsche No. 6
5. LOWE'S FERNANDEZ ACURA ARX-01b No. 15
6. ANDRETTI GREEN XM ACURA ARX-01b No. 26
9. DE FERRAN PANASONIC ACURA ARX-01b No. 66

UPCOMING ALMS RACE:
Event: Acura Sports Car Challenge
Track: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, OH (2.25 miles)
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008 2:10 p.m. (EDT)
Distance: 2 hours, 45 minutes
TV: NBC-TV, July 20, Noon EDT

Official Release - All New 2009 Acura TL

Completely Redesigned TL to be Most Powerful Acura Ever

The all-new, completely redesigned 2009 Acura TL employs dramatic new styling along with a luxurious interior that includes more driver relevant technology than ever. Featuring the most powerful Acura engine ever, the 2009 TL will be available in two distinctive versions including the first ever application of Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) on TL. Available in the fall of 2008, the new TL will deliver a driving experience that achieves new highs within the performance luxury sedan category.
[Source] Acura Press Release

[Rumors] Spied NSX Prototype Photoshopped Without Camo

Not too fond of the front, but this is only a speculatory photoshop.

[Rumors] Speculative Rendering of Next Gen NSX

Auto Express put up some rendering of how the next generation NSX could look like.





Rumored specs-
Engine: 5.5 liter V10 (with cylinder deactivation technology)
Power: 550 hp
Torque: 420 lb-ft
Body: 2+2 ‘hybrid’ aluminum and steel body
Transmission: 8-speed auto with paddle shifters
Drivetrain: modified SH-AWD
Price: $150k+ (USD)
Date: 2010/2011

I got to say, that's a good looking car. I hope the production version looks very close to this. Acura has their hands full trying to become a Tier 1 brand, a good looking and performing supercar will only help.

Check out this link to see the prototype in action.

[Rumors] Video of the Next Gen Acura NSX

Enjoy!

[Rumors] More 2009 TL Pictures

These first set of photos were taken by Josh Fried, a TOV reader, on a trip to Purdue University in Indianapolis.





The second set of photos came from automotivetraveler.com, they were take in California's Mojave Desert.

From what I have seen so far, I think the current generation Acura TL looks better. These spy photos so far give the next generation TL a Nissan Maxima-ish look. I'm also worried about the "Dynamic Power Plenum" grill that is going to sit in front.

2008 (current) Acura TL

Click for all Acura TL photos

Auto-Max Railcar Fleet

Honda has fully deployed its fleet of Auto-Max® railcars, achieving a significant reduction in the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions associated with its automobile distribution activities in the United States. The 400-car fleet of more space-efficient Auto-Max railcars is the only such automaker-operated fleet in use in the United States. Including the Auto-Max fleet shipments, American Honda currently transports about 82 percent of its Honda and Acura automobiles across the country by rail, achieving the highest rail-shipping rate of any automaker.

Each multi-level Auto-Max railcar holds up to 22 vehicles and can hold both trucks and cars to reduce unused space. The result is less fuel usage per vehicle shipped and no compromise to quality. An average bi-level railcar can transport only 10 trucks, generally of a single vehicle type.

Honda's Auto-Max railcars have a 50-year estimated lifespan versus standard railcars, which typically require a major overhaul after just 20 years of service. Honda participated with the Greenbrier Companies (NYSE:GBX) in designing Auto-Max, which is exclusively manufactured by Greenbrier.

[Rumors] 2011 RL & NSX

Supposedly, this chopped up TSX test mule is for the 2011 Acura RL. Rumors floating around suggest that the next RL will have a front engine, rear wheel drive layout with a V8 engine under the hood.





[Source] VTEC.net


The following pictures are rumored to be the next generation NSX, or a sub-NSX coupe priced in the $50-60k range. The pictures were snapped around the Nurburgring area in Germany. The next gen NSX is expected to have a new V10 engine with about 500hp and is front engined, with a modified version of SH-AWD that is rear-biased. This vehicle also looks like a 2+2 instead of the old style 2-seater.

According to edmunds.com, "Takeo Fukui, CEO of Honda, has tasked his R&D team with building an NSX that's faster around the Nürburgring than both the Nissan GT-R and the upcoming Lexus LF-A." Tetsuo Iwamura, American Honda President and CEO, confirmed the NSX will be launched in the U.S. in 2010. Honda will also be launching the Acura brand in Japan and Europe around the same time, but the automaker says it will launch the NSX in the U.S. market first.






[Sources]
VTEC.net
MotorTrend.com
Edmunds.com
LeftLaneNews.com

Spied 2009 Acura TL

VTEC.net and LeftLaneNews.com has some photos of a camouflaged 2009 Acura TL.









Rumored to be released in two configurations: a base front-wheel drive car and an all-wheel drive model. The front-driver will have a 280 horsepower 3.5L V6 whereas the AWD model will get a 3.7L V6 producing 300 horsepower.

For more pics and details:
Temple of VTEC 1
Temple of VTEC 2
Left Lane News

[POLL - Results] What Does Acura Need Most To Improve It's Brand Image?

190 votes later, rear wheel drive is the winner for what Acura needs most to improve it's brand image. To be truthful, Acura as a car manufacturer aiming to become a tier 1 luxury brand should have a rear wheel drive platform in it's lineup. Many critics have also complained that Acura doesn't offer anything bigger than a V6. The option of having a V8 engine captured 14% of the vote. However, that wasn't the second place winner.

The second place winner was the lack of a sports coupe, which got 43 of the 190 votes (22%). It's funny how Honda tries to market Acura vehicles as sports performance oriented, but no longer offers a sports coupe to choose from. Acura missing a sports coupe barely beat "Acura needs a better flagship sedan." As many people know, the Acura RL is not doing very well as Acura's flagship. It's "like it or leave it" V6 and SH-AWD configuration doesn't appeal to many, especially when compared to the Acura TL in configuration and price.

Another interesting note about the poll results is that top 3 "winners" were very close within each other. Unlike other polls where there is one definite winner, which shows what Acura really needs to work on, the results show that there are a lot things Acura needs to work on.

[TSB] 3rd Gear Problems for some Hondas & Acuras

SYMPTOM
The 6-speed manual transmission grinds when shifting into 3rd gear, pops out of 3rd gear, or is hard to shift into 3rd gear.

NOTE: These symptoms can be intermittent and sometimes more noticeable in colder climates.

PROBABLE CAUSE
The transmission has a faulty 3rd gear synchronizer or 3-4 shift sleeve.

CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace the 3rd gear set.

VEHICLES AFFECTED
2003–07 Accord V6 with M/T: ALL

2008 Accord V6 with M/T 2-Door:
From VIN 1HGCS218.8A000001
thru 1HGCS218.8A003478

2006–07 Civic Si 2-Door: ALL

2008 Civic Si 2-Door:
From VIN 2HGFG215.8H700001
thru 2HGFG215.8H701973

2007 Civic Si 4-Door: ALL

2008 Civic Si 4-Door:
From VIN 2HGFA555.8H700001
thru 2HGFA555.8H702465

2003 Acura 3.2CL with M/T

2002-06 Acura RSX with six-speed

2004-08 Acura TL with M/T

[Source] AutoBlog.com

Link to Honda PDF / Link to Acura PDF

[ALMS] LMP2 Win AT Long Beach

The victory was the first for the upstart Patrón Highcroft Racing team in the ALMS and the second for Acura since the manufacturer's entry in the road racing series in 2007.

David Brabham made a spectacular pass of Romain Dumas entering Turn Eight on the 70th lap of the Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series feature Saturday to win the highly-competitive LMP2 class on the famed streets of Long Beach.

Brabham took over the No. 9 Patrón Highcroft Acura ARX-01b prototype sports car from his teammate, Scott Sharp, on the 46th lap and charged from fifth position to the lead on the next-to-last lap in a sensational wheel-to-wheel battle with Dumas in the Penske Porsche. The win follows Patrón High- croft Racing's best previous finish of second at St. Petersburg two weeks ago.

Tequila Patrón ALMS Race

1. PATRÓN HIGHCROFT ACURA ARX-01b No. 9
2. Penske Porsche No. 7
3. Penske Porsche No. 6
4. ANDRETTI GREEN ACURA ARX-01b No. 26
6. LOWE'S FERNANDEZ ACURA ARX-01b No. 15

UPCOMING ALMS RACE:

Event: Miller Utah Grand Prix
Track: Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah (3.08 miles)
Date: Sunday, May 18, 2008, 1 p.m. (MDT)
Distance: 2 hours, 45 minutes
TV: SPEED, May 18, 3 p.m. EDT

Click here for more details

Pricing for New 2009 Acura TSX

The completely redesigned TSX will be available in two versions: the generously appointed TSX and the fully-featured TSX with Technology Package. MSRP pricing for the TSX is $28,960 and the TSX with Technology Packages is $32,060. The 2009 TSX is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic for no additional charge. Although the new TSX surpasses the previous generation in virtually every way, pricing for the 2009 model represents a modest 4.3 percent sales weighted average price increase. Destination and Handling is not included in MSRP, and for the 2009 TSX remains unchanged at $715.

Generous standard appointments include leather trim, power moonroof, HID headlights, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® and a high power audio system with XM® Radio along with USB port connectivity. The 2009 TSX enhances safety with its new Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) front body structure.
The TSX's Technology Package features a wide array of technology including the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, Zagat® restaurant information, and rearview camera; AcuraLink® Satellite Communication System; AcuraLink® Real-time traffic with an all-new Traffic Rerouting™ function; AcuraLink® weather with current and future weather information; a 10-speaker Acura/ELS® Premium Sound System with multi-format 6-disc DVD-Audio changer, AM/FM tuner, XM® Satellite Radio, Note function for XM® Radio, and Dolby Pro Logic II; and a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate control system.
The Acura/ELS® system, all-new for 2009, is tuned by 6-time Grammy® award winning sound engineer Elliot Scheiner. This 10-speaker Acura/ELS™ Premium Surround Sound System with DVD-Audio (that is 500 times clearer than traditional CD) delivers studio quality sound along with a new Note function for XM® Radio that makes it easy to identify songs to recall at a later date.
The all-new 2009 TSX sports sedan that will go on sale at Acura dealerships nationwide on April 24th.

[Click here for full details on pricing]



Click here for more info on the new 2009 TSX.

ALMS LMP2 Second Place

The new driver duo of David Brabham and Scott Sharp combined efforts Saturday to drive the Patrón Highcroft Acura ARX-01b to the team's best American Le Mans Series career finish with a second place in the LMP2 class in the Acura Sports Car Challenge.

With a fourth at Sebring and a second at St. Petersburg, the Patrón Highcroft Acura team has moved to second in the LMP2 point standings, with the next ALMS race set for April 19 at Long Beach.

Acura Sports Car Challenge Results

1. Penske Porsche No. 7
2. PATRÓN HIGHCROFT ACURA ARX-01b No. 9
3. Penske Porsche No. 6
4. Dyson Porsche No. 16
5. ANDRETTI GREEN ACURA ARX-01b No. 26
7. LOWE'S FERNANDEZ ACURA ARX-01b No. 15

Click here for the details.

Power-activated Rear Tailgate Expands to More MDXs

Formerly available only on MDX models equipped with the Entertainment Package, the power tailgate feature is now included in the Technology and Sport packages. This decision was made due to customer feedback. "Based on customer feedback, the availability of the popular power tailgate feature will be expanded to approximately 80-percent of all MDX luxury SUVs sold." said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of sales.
Starting April 1, 2008, all MDX models manufactured with either Technology or Sport packages will feature a power-activated rear tailgate. When the MDX is in Park, the power rear tailgate can be operated via a driver's door-mounted button or with the press of a button on the key fob. The MDX's power tailgate simplifies access to rear cargo area and includes an auto-reverse function for enhanced safety. The price for Technology and Sport package models will increase by a modest $550, to $44,245 and $46,345, respectively. Base MDX pricing remains unchanged.

[Rumor] V8 + RWD for new 2010 Acura RL

I have read about how everyone suspects that Acura will be dropping in a V8 engine in the RL for years now and Acura still hasn't done it yet. However, Edmunds.com is reporting that Acura is finally listening to what people are saying and is planning to include a 420-horsepower 4.8-liter V8 with a rear-wheel drive platform. That sounds almost unbelievable because Honda seems to be on this whole anti-V8 and rear-wheel drive crusade.

The V8 engine should help Acura go up against other luxury automakers. To help improve fuel economy the engine will use cylinder deactivation technology found in the V6 Honda Accord. Edmunds.com states that the all-new RL will incorporate a rear-drive platform and "a reconfigured SH-AWD system that engages the front wheels when rear traction is compromised." The expected price is over $70k!?!?



I'm still in the "I'll believe it when I see it" audience with this, but you know, maybe Hyundai is embrassing Honda enough that they have to do it. Take a look at the 2009 Hyundai Genesis:



Rear-wheel drive, V8, and starting price below $30k! Ouch Honda/Acura, ouch!