Acura’s next-generation RL to have V8 400hp engine, aimed at Lexus

omarrana submitted on 02/26/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 2:39 PM
from: www.egmcartech.com

Tags: Acura, Lexus

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Acura’s next-generation RL to have V8 400hp engine, aimed at Lexus

While the 2009 Acura RL just showed up on the map at the Chicago Auto Show, Best Car is already speculating on the next-generation RL.

The magazine says that Acura may be looking to offer a 4.5 liter V8 engine that produces in the excess of 400 horsepower. The next-generation RL is also rumored to have a new rear-wheel-drive architecture. Best Car speculates that the car will arrive in Japan in 2010 and believes it is what Acura needs to go head-to-head with Lexus.

Recently reported, Acura is working on a “huge shift” next year that will move the brand... Read Article

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1995e34 - 2/26/2008 3:19:48 PM

+7 Boost

a rwd acura sounds very appealing. they've had some stylish, well built cars over the years. they just lacked the gold standard drive train layout.

i'd take a rwd tsx anyday

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SVXXX - 2/26/2008 4:32:39 PM

+2 Boost

They needed a winner and didn't come up with it. Great "personality" is not enough! LOOKS MATTER! That's how I go about my girls and cars!

autopro - 2/26/2008 3:28:25 PMView My AgentSpace

-6 Boost

By then Lexus will have something even better.You can't hit a moving target with billions more money than you.

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NItePhire - 2/26/2008 4:03:05 PM

+6 Boost

I think that Lexus hit a moving target about twenty years ago and now they are the target. I think it can be done just not overnight. Excellent products will get you noticed more sooner than later, just ask Cadillac. They haven't made it yet but their next generation of products should place them on par with the best. The issue will be if they dont make it on the first shot will they do a Lincoln and give up.

Bored - 2/26/2008 3:37:22 PM

+10 Boost

How about fixing the bland styling and getting rid of that new grill first?

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1970toyotamarc - 2/26/2008 3:50:19 PM

-3 Boost

Is the whole world in competition with Lexus? There must be some satisfied, content auto execs at Toyota City.

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theoptimisticpessimist - 2/26/2008 3:59:38 PM

+8 Boost

Let's hope they lose the goofy-ass grille at the same time.

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speedmaster - 2/26/2008 4:19:13 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I believe this is all speculation. It would take at least 2 generations of cars to be on par with Lexus or the German. For chrissakes, they never developed a v8. All their cars are FWD.
What makes them think they can hit a home run the first time around?

Just for reference - look at the Honda truck, Ridgeline. It was suppose to make a big dent and it is a big flop.

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thisismyname - 2/26/2008 4:34:35 PM

+4 Boost

yeah big flop.... truck of the year and it's a v6.... learn before you speak....The lack of a v8 allowed it to fade away... that "flop" was truck of the year when it was introduced..

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/26/2008 5:02:23 PM

-3 Boost

It may have been truck of the year but NOBODY buys it. So was the Mazda Navajo and the Ford Aerostar, theres some stellar company.

mikeydred20 - 2/26/2008 9:20:37 PM

+5 Boost

Acura tech is already on par with Lexus and reliability too, they are not 2 generations behind Lexus. After all Honda is probally the only company that can compete with Toyota pound for pound so if they step up their game we shouldn't be having this discussion. Outside of the LS there is no Lexus that outshadows the Acura brand. Example GS is just as tight as the RL, the looks are boring and inside does not look that potent. Atleast the Acura vechicles look more upscale outside.

StickShiftCamry - 2/27/2008 12:56:23 AM

+2 Boost

Atleast u can do standing rear wheel burnouts w/ an model year GS.

Milton - 2/26/2008 4:20:41 PM

+1 Boost

"aimed at Lexus"

ha ha ha......good luck.

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Bmw8ter - 2/26/2008 4:33:17 PM

+7 Boost

"Next thing you know Acura will do its own M, AMG and F thing. Wonder what they’ll call it."

Clearly this dolt has never heard of the Type S and Type R.

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85bmw745i - 2/26/2008 7:36:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Type S like they currently do.

mini22 - 2/26/2008 4:33:47 PM

+4 Boost

The problem is that Acura needs the V8 and RWD now! Not for the next generation. This 09 RL is bland and will not move sales the way Acura desperatly needs.I won't rehash comments other then to say the current Acura sedans are not different enough from the Honda Accord to justify the higher prices.

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montyz81 - 2/26/2008 5:08:21 PM

+1 Boost

They have been toying with a V8 for the current and the incoming generations RL for awhile. They decided against it for those two, I doubt they would do it. It has been the right time for them to do it and they keep shying away from it so i doubt it will ever happen

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answer - 2/26/2008 5:46:12 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

In the past few years Acura has been far better at generating rumours than producing desirable cars.

They're capable, but Acura needs to quickly gain a strong focus of what they want to be.

The 2009 RL is a rolling example of the company's indecisive nature.

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S4cabriofoxone - 2/26/2008 8:56:29 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

A concrete third. Lexus has more luxury, and Infiniti, more performance/style. It's a no-brainer, IMO.

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M35MT - 2/27/2008 8:37:37 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I agree S4, Acura needs to consider Infiniti as well - Lexus for the matter - Infiniti kills both of them in performance/driver involvement.

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hieneken - 2/26/2008 7:45:04 PM

-1 Boost

Thanks God finally Acura build a fucken V8 engine

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MunichRob - 2/26/2008 7:52:36 PMView My AgentSpace

+8 Boost

To compete with Lexus all Honda/Acura needs to do is move all their vehicles to RWD platforms & come up with some more inspiring designs. Fix those two things & I feel you've got a better car than a Lexus.

Acura already has some of the best interiors in the business, now they just need that on the exterior & RWD athleticism.

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S4cabriofoxone - 2/26/2008 8:56:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+6 Boost

All I can say is, IT'S ABOUT TIME!

Honda, have you finally come to your senses?

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Alec - 2/26/2008 9:46:26 PM

+3 Boost

Maybe they have, but before they do a nice v8 to compete with bigger luxury brands, they need to do a serious face lift. i think its not a look that people would want.

Whelan - 2/26/2008 9:19:17 PM

+3 Boost

Powertrain sounds promising, but you can't just throw big power into an ugly car like that. It's like if Pontiac had made a GXP version of the Aztec, it still wouldn't have sold.

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EL34 - 2/26/2008 11:24:45 PM

+1 Boost

I would prefer to see a 1200hp engine!

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amazinBimmer - 2/26/2008 11:26:58 PM

-4 Boost

rwd? that leaves POS audi as the only one left with a FWD architecture...id love ot hear why..
s4? germanut(moron)? viso??

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StickShiftCamry - 2/27/2008 1:00:44 AM

+1 Boost

lol. Ppl pay so much for these always-on FWD biased AWD cars.

Bmw8ter - 2/27/2008 7:49:44 AM

+2 Boost

You can only harp on the whole "FWD Architecture" only so much with Audi. On their Quattro with Torsen models, the power delivery is RWD biased. That's a much better deal than what you get with EVERY other "FWD based AWD" car out there.

lexusis350 - 2/26/2008 11:55:31 PM

+1 Boost

I'm sorry, but I just don't like the grille on this car. It looks like something Saturn would come up with.

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Hyundai - 2/27/2008 1:47:44 PM

+1 Boost

You took the words right out of my mouth. The grille is like the one from the Saturn Aura.

Nagooya - 2/27/2008 12:10:56 AM

+2 Boost

Too bad it has FUG written all over it.

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IhavearedS2000 - 2/27/2008 12:17:12 AM

+3 Boost

To be clear, the picture above is of the current RL with a minor model make over - the rumored V8 and RWD biased AWD RL will be on a full model make over car...in essence a new body style (hopefully w/out that grille).

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JUGNU - 2/27/2008 5:51:22 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I think grille looks fine especially on Crossovers and new TSX. Certainly better than the Audi's gaping mouth grille.

btw good to hear that Honda is now really becoming serious with Acura brand. Good luck.

JUGNU

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S4cabriofoxone - 2/27/2008 3:53:45 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

"Certainly better than the Audi's gaping mouth grille."

Absolutely not! You just LOVE to rag on Audi, don't you?

Designer1 - 2/27/2008 10:26:57 AM

+1 Boost

The RWD + V8 is the only way to be a true full size luxury car.

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Denali - 2/28/2008 8:11:00 PM

+1 Boost

i like the way Acura thinking now, i wonder what model LS they thinking about targeting, cause the 430 cant be touch and the 460 is ahead of its time, maybe the frist LS, lol just joking
they need to worry about the new flagships that coming out from BMW/Audi

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Agent63 - 2/29/2008 6:29:50 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

In order for Acura to ever obtain status like their Japanese counterpart they need to up their styling and make a V8 engine. Like some of you guys have said a major facelift to every model range is a must. IMO the best looking Acura is the TL. The second generation MDX is a big improvement on build quality and looks but they need to make an even bigger SUV model to compete against Lexus GX and LX. As for the RL they should keep it but instead of making that go head to head against the Lexus LS they need to make a NEW model that's more upscale. Having that said they should lower the price for the RL and add $10k more for the more upscale model.

Acura has potential. The Acura TL's build quality is very good and likewise with the MDX. But as long as they are rebadging Civic's and naming them CSX (in Canada) the company will not go anywhere. I think in time they will get more prestigious but their still trying to cater to the eco-consumers.

Toyota put Lexus in a good price range. Their models are cheaper than the German rivals. Acura would need to position themselves around the Lexus pricing and no more. No one in this day and age will pay that much for an Acura.

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