50 Votes

Acura’s Future: We want to rival Bentley and Maybach

omarrana submitted on 8/20/2007 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:38:02 AM

85 user comments | Category: New Cars | Source: | SOURCE: www.egmcartech.com

Tag Link: Acura

While Hyundai targets BMW and Mercedes, Acura takes it up a notch with Bentley and Maybach in its sight.

This is Honda’s luxury division Acura, who just opened a new design center in California in May, hoping to distance itself from Honda.

“We want to rival Bentley and Maybach in performance and design,” said Dave Marek, chief designer for Honda R&D Americas, in an interview with Automotive News.

But while Acura dreams of playing in the big leauge, the truth is that since there is no V8 or rear-wheel drive car in its lineup, Acura will remain a second-tier luxury brand.

Click through to see the entire list of Acura’s future lineup...

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Acura’s Future: We want to rival Bentley and Maybach

About the Author

I hooked up my accelerator to my brake lights. I hit the gas, people behind me stop, and I'm gone.
— omarrana (View Profile)

User Comments

So will Lexus.Well not now(LS600hL is only showing some signs) but they will surely one day.

and btw MB CL was more than once compared to the Bentley GT and Audi R8 to Aston V8 and Lambo gallardo.

I mean then why not upcoming Acura and Lexus models.Surely if there intensions are to compete with Rolls and Bentley they will bring the models we haven't seen and imagined.

JUGNU
— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 11:01:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7

mercedes has the name, history, and prestige to compete in those segments. for one the CL costs about as much as those cars do it starts at 100 grand, and get very close to 200 grand. Lexus and Acura are not Mercedes they can not charge that much for their vehicles especially Acura. Acura other than the RL are among the cheapest cars in their segments, Acura for years has avoided competing head to head with BMW, and Mercedes, most people just see them as warmed over Honda's which for the most part is what they are, they look like Honda's on the outside, and inside. They should just stick with what they know, the RL that also looks like the accord, should be proof enough that very few people will leap into an Acura priced so high....
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:11:24 PM | | Votes: 3

LS600hl and the LF-1 will be in the $100,000 range. Not to mention future F-series models being contemplated.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:29:20 PM | | Votes: -7

I'm sorry, but Lexus will not be able to match Bentley, Rolls-Royce or Maybach for prestige, no matter how good their cars are.

These three European brands are exclusive and have a history and tradition of producing superb luxury cars and the circles which buy them value just that, heritage.

The reason the Mercedes CL is compared to a Bentley is because the CL has always been one of the best engineered and taditional cars. The ancestors of the modern day CL are cars like the 1936 500K Spezial Roadster, 1936 540K, 1934 380 etz.
— ErichHartmann (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:39:57 PM | | Votes: 4

I was pointing out that Lexus can and will be able to produce and sell $100,000plus vehicles the same as Merceds does. I did not compare them to the more expensive Bentley models.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:49:48 PM | | Votes: -5

Yes, we know Lexus has a $100K+ car or two coming. So do BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar and Cadillac. HOWEVER. I think the implication of this article is that Acura will ONLY be making Bentley rivals, which is absolutely ridiculous. Acura can barely compete with near-luxury cars like the Lexus ES, let alone $150K+, which they have never even gone near before. How much did the NSX cost? It wasn't six figures.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 4:33:13 PM | | Votes: 8

Actually, when you consider it, Mercedes-Benz has more super-high-end vehicles than any other automaker, thanks to AMG. They probably cover more market segments than anyone else.

In the US market, their cars range from the $31,975 C300 Sport to the $500K+ SLR McLaren roadster. And there are so many more models outside of America! Amazing. And they still have prestige that is the envy of every other brand.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 4:38:28 PM | | Votes: 5

Wait. So even though you've compared the LS600hL to the likes of the Maybach 57 and Bentley Continental Flying Spur, it's suddenly not even competitive with the S600, and we have to wait for the mysterious "LS650hL" for that?
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 11:28:12 PM | | Votes: 5

david.

you've missed the point entirely.
price has nothing to do with what makes these brands exceptional.

it's uniqueness, rarity and exclusivity. the LS600--by sharing nearly all parts and looks with a $61,000 car achieves none of these. lexus could charge $200,000 for a souped up LS and it wouldn't matter.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 3:05:01 AM | | Votes: 5

There will always be suckers who will buy a product just because it is expensive even if there are cheaper alternatives that offer far greater value. My motto is save the most, spend the least, and always look for the best bang for the buck! To all my friends who say "you can't take it with you", I respond "yes, but I'd rather leave it to my kids". BTW, there is no inheritance tax in Canada.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 10:29:22 AM | | Votes: 1

Mercedes actually sells more $100k+ vehicles than any other manufacturer in the world, which is one of the (several) reasons they are generally considered the top premium marque of the volume manufacturers.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 12:15:37 PM | | Votes: 4

Honda needs to come up with a better AWD system than the one they have with front and rear axles deliberately running at different RPM all the time and thereby wearing out internal clutches.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 11:05:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Nice....!
— Brembo (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:12:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I'm willing to bet a dollar to a Krispy Kreme doughnut that Acura, Infiniti and Lexus are working overtime coming up with an answer to the BMW 1-Series.

BTW, I hear Seiko is designing a watch to rival Rolex!
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 11:18:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

1-series range is not where Lexus wants to be.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:30:57 PM | | Votes: -6

cawswimmer, I was refering to the fact that Lexus has their focus on models that are luxurious in nature, whether the smaller IS models through the LS and SUV offerings. I did not say the 1-series was crap, but I would not say that it exudes luxury either.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 1:23:18 PM | | Votes: -4

"1-series range is not where Lexus wants to be."

But that's where they have to be to compete in Europe. Cheaper models make up the bulk of Euro luxury sales. The A3 and 1 Series are both fantastic hot hatches in their own right. It's unfair to disregard a car because of its sticker. Have you ever driven either one?
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 4:40:16 PM | | Votes: 2

cawimmer, take it from me (an A3 2.0T DSG owner), the A3 is a sweet ride. I couldn't ask anything more out of a car with its power, size and low price.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 4:41:24 PM | | Votes: 4

It would be nice for Acura to have a clear direction.

If it's Bentley and Maybach so be it.

For the past decade Acura has kept making good stuff, but just never seemed to have a clear goal in mind.
— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 11:22:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Certain cars in certain segments don't always fair well but the TL has been one of the top selling cars the past 5 years, the TSX is no pushover and the MDX is a solid player in it's field. Also how can people make comments like Acura's are the cheapest in their segments? the MDX tops out more than the RX and is arguably better, the TL's base price is more than the G35, ES and many others and you get your money worth.
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 9:24:00 PM | | Votes: 2

It's a tired cliché, but he's right in this case. When you have that much money, you buy a car for its image. For what it looks like parked in front of the Four Seasons. For what your friends say when you pull up. I think the Bentley Arnage fits the bill perfectly.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 4:43:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

This is great and all but it would make more sense if aimed to compete with their other Japanese rival, Lexus. Once they match Lexus with "style and performance," then they can take on bigger fish..
— Autophile (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:01:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -8

Lol...you guys must think I'm one of those "Lexus is a gift from God and the world's best company better than FarrariBMWMercedesPorscheBugatti" guys. It's hilarious that anytime someone compliments Lexus on these posts they get deboosted. Can you honestly say that Acura competes with Lexus though? If so then I must just be a dumbass
— Autophile (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 3:47:54 PM | | Votes: 6

No, they're not even close. Honda needs to find its balls with this company.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 4:44:43 PM | | Votes: 4

are you people on crack? Acura has been misguided since its inception, so why not make an idiotic statement like that. Back in the day they had the Legend which was a performance coupe and a nice one at that, but they lost so much market share in trying to compete with BMW that they changed their image to go after Lexus. Since that hasnt worked, why not Bentley. Who in their right mind would ever pay $70k to $100k for an Acura sedan? Since the RL has worked so well and all. Maybe they can build a super coupe to compete with Aston or Ferrari. Unfortunately, that means that Acura would have to use actual wood... idiots
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:02:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

Enough with the stupid post, The RL wood is real you idiot and it has a better interior than a whole lot of cars you would choose over it. Lexus should be scared of Acura as they are the only one's out of the Japanese brands that can challenge them in sales and performance which other than RWD Lexus actually learned from Acura. I am not going to say Acura is better than Lexus but for the money you get alot of car and the perfect track record to go with it and any sensible person can agree to this. Lexus is threatned though for example the LF-A was supposed to be V8 as soon as rumor of the NSX with V10 came out Lexus swithched engines.
I'm fighting an uphill battle so I give up, go ahead now and deboost me but remember the truth hurts.
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 9:33:33 PM | | Votes: 0

Well at least they're saying "design and performance" and not prestige, heritage, and luxury.
— golfer38 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:07:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Golfer ... psst they are not even close or should ever be spoken in the same breath as Bentley or Rolls. When is the last great design that Acura has come up with? Better yet, performance? This is ridiculous .. where do you people come up with this stuff? Hey maybe, Suzuki will build a car with design and performance in mind to compete with Mercedes, BMW & Lexus? I mean why not, since Acura is setting their sights on Bentley & Rolls. I mean since Acura cant even compete with Lexus, BMW & Mercedes ...
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:14:46 PM | | Votes: 2

Psst..me4...Its just a goal in design and performance. There's nothing wrong with striving to be better. They didn't say they were going to compete with those brands, idiot.
— golfer38 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 5:23:55 PM | | Votes: 1

To me this sounds like Honda has finally caught up with Toyota's and Nissan's, (Lexus and Infiniti's) concept. They just want to take it to the next level above that.

I'd like to see what RWD and AWD platforms (they would have to be) they are about to produce to back this claim of aiming at Bentley and the MB uber lux Mayback.

However the upcoming 300hp AWD TL won't get them to that category...the only thing that might be comparable with it would be BMW's 335i or MB's C350 Sport. That TL (while sounding really nice) sure as heck isn't a Continental GT and the RL sure isn't a Brooklands in my book.

— Spectator (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:15:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Acura is not on par with Lexus right now. The model range is limited and definitely not anywhere near the luxury level of Lexus cars, let alone near Bently.
The TL and the MDX are both great vehicles, but they have to take it further up the line by producing a luxury sedan like an S-class or A8 to be taken seriously as a luxury brand.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:46:52 PM | | Votes: -3

Agreed...david999

Acura is not up to Lexus or Infiniti standard yet. It dosen't have a platform that compares to either.

They need a comprable drivetrain ASAP...also Honda dosen't create V8's let alone V10's (execpt for racing apps which don't apply here) so they will have a whole new set of issues to work with. Because designing a high reving 4 or 6 cylander is entirly different than designing a 8 or 10 cylinder for commercial use. Weight, Balance and harmonics become much harder since your moving more mass.
— Spectator (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 2:15:51 PM | | Votes: -1

What I find sad is, as great a company as Honda is, they have no idea what to do with this mess they've made. Toyota and Nissan have taken risks with Lexus and Infiniti, and they have paid off. Both of these luxury marques now produce desirable vehicles with contrasting images, the Mercedes-Benz and BMW of Japan. And while Audi has found a very successful niche in between the two German brands, Acura can't get the same results. Honda needs to start putting out COMPLETELY new models, with V8 engines, sexier styling and more adventurous performance/luxury aspects. And, as david said, they can't go anywhere near $100K until they make a successful A8/LS/7/S/XJ competitor.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 4:49:27 PM | | Votes: 3

Lexus already competes with Bentley and Rolls Royce (and surpasses them in heritage and prestige). I don't consider Maybach to be luxurious at all. Maybach was founded in like 1996 or 2001. Lexus has more heritage and prestige.

Mercedes and BMW should not be compared to Rolls Royce and Bentley because they're not true luxury unlike Lexus.
— david989 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:19:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -16

Lexus does not compete with Bentley and Rolls-Royce and Maybach, nor does Acura. Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Maybach are characterized by a prestigeous history and tradition. Acura and Lexus don't have this and they'll never be able to achieve the same status as these three ultra-luxury European marques.

And Maybach was founded in 1909, not 1996/2001. Lexus does not have more prestige than Maybach and is certainly not on the same level as Mercedes and BMW.
— ErichHartmann (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:37:02 PM | | Votes: 4

In about another 20mins I will come back and see your post turn white and you will get deboosted -8 or more. Hopefully if you get more than -10 your stupid comment will be hidden.
— BentleyGT (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:37:53 PM | | Votes: 1

Caltrans, I think you mean david989.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 8:51:15 AM | | Votes: 1

LOL! You really need to get a grasp on cars.
— Czelinski (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 12:29:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Why stop there? Acura should go after NASA, they've had it to good for to long.
— johannas (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 1:03:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

most magazines dont have professional drivers. FWD, RWD, AWD are not a basis to judge a car on performance attributes, though most enthusiasts would prefer RWD.
— gsh23 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 2:10:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Just when you think Hyundai is on crack ...
— monkeyrun (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 2:14:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Hyundai isn't on crack...they are actually delievering a platform(genisis) and engine(tau) to back up their smack talk...aka 'they put their money where their mouth is'...wether it pans out is up to the automotive testers for the magazines.

unfortuantly Honda started talking trash before any new product they are designing is even being wispered about in forums. Hell they haven't even settled on an engine size yet for their "NEW" RL or their NSX.
— Spectator (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 2:22:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 4:30:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Ummm . considering that Toyota makes more money then all teh Euro's put together .. and that Honda rakes in a fair bit more loot then MB, VW put together AND
that nissan is pretty mucg the only shining star in Renaults future .. the general consensus is that your statement is the equivalent of a hot steaming pile of horse shit.
— izfuney (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 2:52:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Dumb statement by some one who dose not understand the luxury market,ergo the competition. It's clear to me now why Acura is just a rebaged also-ran.
— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 5:34:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

If they want that to happen they need to start step by step. 1st try to compete and beat the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Infinite, Audi THEN think of competing with the ultra luxury brands. They have a bad start already because they are lower than MB/BMW/Audi and the rest, and higher than Toyota/Nissan/Honda.
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 5:59:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

Infiniti's products are actually desirable. The M45, G35, G37, FX and IX are all top contenders in their classes. You can't say the same about Acura. That's the difference. Infiniti is certainly far above the Honda subsidiary.

BTW, the new Q45 or Q50 will be coming in a couple years to challenge the LS460, 7 Series and A8. Unfortunately for them, a new 7 Series and A8 will be out at around the same time, so it will be a challenge for everyone in that segment. Also, Infiniti is beginning sales in Europe soon.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2007 11:25:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Acura also sells more, competes and wins motorsports and finally is attempting to make a supercar. Thank you "how you doing"
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 9:41:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I'm going to pretend like there was a typo on the title.......... i'll wait until they fix it to post a comment
— AMGZING_fanboy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 12:53:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Acura the bigger SUV is nice that is it. Acura no chance, 3rd among the Japanese.
— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 12:59:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

That's exactly what I said, but much shorter, LOL. The MDX is their only appealing vehicle right now.

TSX? Underpowered, cheap re-badged Accord.

TL? Bland, but if you opt for the Type-S you get an extra dose of torque steer, yay!

RDX? Ugly, and new Infiniti EX probably puts it to shame.

RL? Just as bland as the TL, but on a bigger, more expensive scale. No reason for its existence.

MDX? Good handling, interesting looks, okay interior, good versatility. A worthy comeptitor, and much better than the old one.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 1:06:32 PM | | Votes: 2

Someone was a dinner party and had too much to drink. No way in hell this will ever happen with Honda's think-small attitude. The reasons why they won't ever be able to do this are too numerous to list. First you've got to get past Lexus and Infiniti and secondly you've got become a global powerhouse. 2 things we won't see anytime in the near future from Acura. What a joke!
— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 1:00:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

are you people for real?

honda and toyota challenging maybach and bentley?

those brands are steeped in many years of tradition, exceptional styling and exclusivity ensured by very small production runs. and these are exactly the reasons why people buy these cars.

to even HOPE to challenge these marques would require the japanese to abandon their entire approach to designing and building cars. they would not be able to share any chassis, parts, engines or technologies with their cheap cars. in my opinion, the japanese focus on profitability at the expense of brand exclusivity makes this effort hopeless.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 3:02:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Steeped in years of tradition ?????? Where did you pull that one out from ?
Maybach is a resuscitated prewar (WW1) marquee that no one remembers or collects from MB to sell more expensive SL600’s. Its success is far from assured.
Bentley? Till VW bought it out in the 90's it was pretty much selling 50's GM tech to a bunch of half dead British geriatrics for which 30 mph was like warp speed. Bentley’s previous heyday was in the 20's, not exactly “tradition” material.
— izfuney (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 3:00:35 PM | | Votes: 0

...!
— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 3:12:09 AM | | Votes: 1

IZ--

not only true that you ARE funny, you speak the truth!

all this hollering about acura/honda/all japanese brands "have no heritage and tradition" in this category is just MINDLESS YAPPING.

nowhere in the article was there even a hint of heritage and tradition. the guy said Acura was going to challenge them in DESIGN and PERFORMANCE. attributes in which honda/acura has as much or more competence than 90% of ALL manufacturers on the planet.

the mindless yapping is prob'ly disguised FEAR that Acura JUST MIGHT pull this off. (what other car maker CURRENTLY makes jet engines?)
— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 3:28:13 AM | | Votes: 0

This is just ridicuolus! What were they thinking?
— AUTO_UNION (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 6:08:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

i think the ACURA TL competes well against the other luxury cars in its class, the rl should be redesigned to stay in the middle to compete with the 5 series/ e class, a6, gs / m45 and acura should come up with 2 new letters to compete with the a8/ 7 series and s class and can do well.
i personally look at acura on the same level as infiniti and lexus in terms of cache, and would consider the RL on the same level as the GS 430. the can come up with a good 65,000 sedan to compete with 80,000 cars as long as it looks amazing.
for example i think cadillac Escalade is the hottest truck in terms of looks and is cheaper than bmw x5 4.8 and range rover and porsche cayenne. put out a good product or the best in its class and it will sell.
i think the escalade is the cheapest car that rappers/ actors drive because its just hot. so acura can come up with a great car but never against a 200k car.
lexus will never compete with bentley because only a fool would bring home a 200k dollar lexus over bentley or aston martin.
i personally would take a Maserati quattroporte over the ls600h. lexus up o 80,000 is fine. bmw cant even get a car for 200,000 although i think people would buy a 200,000 car from bmw, from acura or lexus --- only the fanboys from this web site.
nsx up to 100,000 is fine because it was special although now nsx will struggle because the landscape has changed VANTAGE AND AUDI R8 OVER NSX. but for 200,000 ill stick with gallardo, f430 AND 911 TURBO
— iamdabest1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 8:25:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Price it ridiculously high, make it extremely luxurious, and make people think it's the most exclusive product on the market and people will buy it. It's what Maybach did, and rappers and brokers alike bought them. Of course it also worked in Maybach's favor that the car looked like a Mercedes, and was often called the "Mercedes-Maybach."

I think even Lexus could do this. The LS600hL could be priced upwards of $150K instead of $120K and people would still buy it. The regular LS460, like it or not, has been compared to Rolls, Bentley and Maybach in several reviews and comparisons. It's not about the technology or levels of luxury because any automaker can learn to rival those components. What I agree is most important is the perceived 'prestige' Rolls and Bentley have it inherently, Maybach regained it from Mercedes, and then there are brands like Lexus that have to come up with other creative ways to rival, such as marketing and competitive pricing, and don't forget the numerous events for customers...
— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 9:08:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

But Maybach wasn't invented out of thin air nine years ago. Maybach has history. They've always been a rival to Rolls-Royce and Bentley; Mercedes-Benz just revived the name, in the name of competition. 'BMW has Rolls and VW owns Bentley, so why can't we do it, too?'

But Honda can't just suddenly thrust Acura upmarket after 20 years of competitive but bland Lexus wannabes. Rappers won't buy an Acura because it's expensive. They won't get an image because they're expensive. They have to get the image FIRST, by making great cars. Lexus has done this, and that's why they're able to produce indulgent projects like the LS600hL and LF-A. Acura isn't on the same level.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 1:18:55 PM | | Votes: 2

S4cabriofoxone - probably mentions the logic in the most straighforward manner.
Unless Acura changes the core concepts of the luxury car game from "heritage" and "conituity" to a new paradigm that they can exploit, unfortunately they have a long way to go.
— izfuney (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 3:05:03 PM | | Votes: 3

I wouldn't say that Maybach "has history" I would say Maybach "has A history". When we talk about history we really mean the the period of time over which the company has existed and how over that period of and the evolution of the corporate outlook and mantra. Those things were lost when Maybach ceased to exist for 60 years.

Maybachs today share nothing in common with the Maybachs of the thirties. There is no tradition ingrained in those cars- nothing that fundamentally links the new Maybachs with the old ones. Mercedes can build any new car and put any label they want on it. The same car could have been donned with a new insignia set, of some new ultra-luxury line. The same car can have two different badges and one car has history and the other does not? The Maybach brand of today has no real history- it has a historical name. As far as I am concerned the last TRUE Maybach was made in 1945.

History is not a label you put on something- it is a fundamental property of that object.
— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 5:42:41 PM | | Votes: 4

I don't think Marak is saying they want to "take on" Bentley/Maybach, but they want to incorporate some of the performance and design of those companies into Acura. Heck, nothing wrong with that. Isn't everyone always saying how Lexus/Infiniti/blah, blah, shoot for BMW with their cars, at least from a "driving" standpoint? Again, nothing wrong with that and it gives a company something to strive/shoot for.

Acura certainly has had issues in the past 10-11 years on where they want to go, but they still have some very good cars that compete quite well in their segments. Also, S4, although I agree with some of your comments, Acura is hardly "bland Lexus wannabes". Heck, they were first to market before Lexus, but Lexus certainly has done a better job in KNOWING where they want to go, but I don't think many people are under the impression Acura was trying to do/be anything like Lexus.
— cktoo (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 4:37:07 PM | | Votes: 2

That is one sexy picture of the RL I don't understand how people can call this car ugly and bland, the front end looks luxurious to me, the back though could have used a refreash this year to maybe help sales.
I still think this article was posted so everyone could jump on the trashing wagon. The question is did someone from Acura really say this, give them a chance to see what they pull off. I for one am curious what the new TL will look like, I just want the grill that's on the new MDX.
— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2007 9:08:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Cdoke - great post.

— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 6:48:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

acura has too many more intrests in racing than to cover this ground--allthough they have the money
— ronnsscooby (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2007 10:44:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Will:

"The LS600hL could be priced upwards of $150K instead of $120K and people would still buy it. The regular LS460, like it or not, has been compared to Rolls, Bentley and Maybach in several reviews and comparisons. It's not about the technology or levels of luxury because any automaker can learn to rival those components. What I agree is most important is the perceived 'prestige' Rolls and Bentley have it inherently, Maybach regained it from Mercedes, and then there are brands like Lexus that have to come up with other creative ways to rival, such as marketing and competitive pricing, and don't forget the numerous events for customers..."

good post, Will!

there was a time when Rolls was struggling. an outside consultant told them their old philosophy of figuring what it cost to make their cars, then just adding a reasonably profit, was old school and quite limited thinking. they were Rolls-Royce, after all, and their rich customers would be willing to pay ANY price for the image.

so Rolls ignored the beancounters when setting prices. and their balance sheet showed healthy returns never seen before. this was at a time, when they had NO competition. (Benzes back then had little more prestige than Buicks; even Caddy's were considered classier at that time.)

the LS600hL is in a similar position now, being in a class of ONE, technologically. they likely WOULD find buyers at $150k, were lexus bold enuff to jump that far so quickly.
— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 3:49:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Acura = American Hondas starting with 1986 MY. It's a Honda in Europe still. Take one of those, put some options on them and there you go. But in US and Canada they ignore that.

And for some others here:

Maybach = an old, reputable name (and only that), reborn by MB so they would have something up there, close to RR and Bentley. In fact ignorant people or people that just don't care, do pay 3 times more money for a Maybach than they would pay for a MB S600.

AMG = Mercedes-Benz acquired AMG in 1999. I wander why ? Maybe because of M and S badges on some other German car makers.

Legends are made within many decades - and we now can say centuries. And ...no ... I don't mean Acura Legend. I am talking about Rolls Royce, Bentley, Ferrari an so on (Maybach is not on that list).
— bimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 2:26:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

“We want to rival Bentley and Maybach in performance and design,” said Dave Marek, chief designer for Honda R&D Americas, in an interview with Automotive News.

Marek is suffering from a common psychological malady - Delusions of grandeur.
— BMW995 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2007 9:56:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Acura’s Future: We want to rival Bentley and Maybach

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