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FINALLY! V8-Powered Acura RL Is On The Way

Agent009 submitted on 03/18/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:07 PM
from: www.edmunds.com

[46] user comments | category: New Cars

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FINALLY! V8-Powered Acura RL Is On The Way

Remember that oh-so-ugly Acura Advanced Sedan Concept we saw at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show?

No prizes for guessing that it was indeed a design study for the next-generation Acura RL. Fortunately, Honda has listened to the criticism and has completely restyled the flagship sedan's exterior and distanced the face from the Accord's.

Actually, Honda has been listening to the word on the street very carefully, because it has finally decided to give the luxury sedan a V8, to help it compete with strong rivals in the U.S., including Audi, BMW and Lexus.

Be sure and check out our extensive photo galleries including the 2008 New York Auto Show and catch up on all of the latest news and models on AutoSpies.

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pchera01 - 3/18/2008 12:54:52 PM

-4 Boost

who cars, that car is smaller than Accord and its a Accord

reply to this comment

EnnNorak - 3/18/2008 6:05:21 PM

+1 Boost

I'm one who certainly does not care as I want nothing to do with cylinder deactivation. If it's a transversely mounted engine I double don't want it. The only way I would want one is if it has a longitudinally mounted DOHC V8 and RWD with LSD.

BMW4me4ever - 3/18/2008 12:57:40 PMView My AgentSpace

+8 Boost

whether they put a V8 in it or not, unless they change the shield look it will be a failure. It is one ugly looking car. It is although Acura went to Medieval Times ( jousting event for kids and such in the US ) partied all night and loved the shields. They woke up and thought what a great idea, lets put a shield in our grill of all our models. idiots

reply to this comment

tattedtwice - 3/18/2008 1:14:37 PM

+1 Boost

Whenever a car company sells out and does what the public FEELS it should do, it's never a good thing. They should stick to their guns and put up the middle finger to the haters who keep whining for a gas-swilling, unnecessary V8.

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 3/18/2008 1:53:39 PM

+1 Boost

good call. even gm knows the v8 is on it's way out.

pushrod27 - 3/18/2008 2:26:25 PM

+4 Boost

the v8 isn't dying. the v8 will be at YOUR funeral.
Acura still needs a v8. GM just cancelled the new Cadillac V8 program. The Chevy v8s aren't going anywhere.

theoptimisticpessimist - 3/18/2008 2:30:38 PM

+2 Boost

'Whenever a car company sells out and does what the public FEELS it should do"

Its called the free market.

EnnNorak - 3/18/2008 6:07:09 PM

+2 Boost

Any car company that is getting away from V8 engines is likely in financial trouble and wants to save money by having fewer engine parts.

adoptgreyhounds - 3/18/2008 7:51:09 PM

+2 Boost

Sell out company's

BMW

Lexus

GM

MB

AUDI

PORSCHE

ACURA

FORD

MINI

INFINFITI

VOLVO

LAND ROVER

JAGUAR

HONDA

SUBARU

etc...... All Companies sell out for profit, customers have the money and car makers want it.

Blakura - 3/18/2008 10:13:44 PM

+2 Boost

Tatted, just a couple of weeks ago, everyone made a big fuss about the lack of a V8 in the Acura lineup. Now that Acura decided to get one, you decide they are wrong. What do you want?

1995e34 - 3/18/2008 10:48:10 PM

+1 Boost

blakura, i was personally saying it was a bad idea all along.

gas is approaching $4/gal in the land of V8 engines, combined with economic recession.

it may not be that crazy to put the v8 on ice for a while.

1995e34 - 3/18/2008 10:51:16 PM

+2 Boost

just out of curiosity, how many of you would choose a bmw 550i over a 535i (i don't care if you prefer bmw or not)?

tattedtwice - 3/19/2008 12:53:43 AM

+1 Boost

"Tatted, just a couple of weeks ago, everyone made a big fuss about the lack of a V8 in the Acura lineup."
I'm not everyone. Search and post where I mentioned wanting a V8 for the RL, or ANY car. G'head I dare you to try to find one.

"Now that Acura decided to get one, you decide they are wrong. What do you want?"
They ARE wrong; the world's in a gas crisis, MPG is vital to a lot of folks, the V8 is dying, and NOW they decide to listen to a bunch of whiners who never wanted their flagship anyway.

tattedtwice - 3/19/2008 12:55:51 AM

+2 Boost

"just out of curiosity, how many of you would choose a bmw 550i over a 535i?"

535 all the way, for me.

stash84 - 3/19/2008 10:46:10 AM

+2 Boost

ill take the 535

ThierryHenry14 - 3/18/2008 1:26:36 PM

+2 Boost

I think that Hondas' designs have been very bland as of late...

reply to this comment

Blakura - 3/18/2008 10:22:13 PM

+1 Boost

Thierry, I have to agree that lately Honda/Acura designs have been pretty uninspiring, but the drawing of the 2010 RL looks like a change of pace for Acura. Also, I kinda like the look of the 2009 TSX, they could've done much worse and I'm sure the car will sell to many consumers if not enthusiasts.

06TLDude - 3/18/2008 1:37:49 PM

+2 Boost

You have to click the "Read Article" link to see the concept drawing:

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/news/2008/0317/acura.V8.500.jpg

reply to this comment

Bored - 3/18/2008 1:52:40 PM

0 Boost

But it's still JUST a concept drawing. We can only prey that it will look like that come production. I won't hold my breathe over this. Honda is bound to disappoint us again -- that new shield, er, grill, is just the start.

Designer1 - 3/18/2008 2:06:54 PM

+1 Boost

Now that they got the message to have a V8, 2 more things are left, the car be a rear wheel drive, and redesign and make the car bigger. Right now its true, the accord has more room that it.

reply to this comment

Designer1 - 3/18/2008 2:09:12 PM

+4 Boost

I spoke too soon, they did cover all points. :-) Good job.

Agent63 - 3/18/2008 2:11:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

It's about time their thinking about a V8 otherwise their dreams of capturing a little bit of the Lexus dominated market will never come true.

Acura has a lot of potential. It's a well respected brand as is Honda but it lacks the luster and prestige their Japanese counterpart has been able to build for themselves. They will not be close to a European luxury automaker but if they have a good enough proposition who knows what may happen.

Now it's time for Infiniti to bring back the Q! then things should really get interesting.

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golfer38 - 3/18/2008 2:16:49 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Oh my god, did that concept drawing actually come out of Honda? Are you kidding me, an Acura RL drawing that actually looks good? We'll have to wait to see the finished product and watch Acura put 16" rims on it along with taking out everything on the concept that looks good. Oh, and 70,000 for a car that can't sell at 45,000, brilliant.

reply to this comment

mikeydred20 - 3/18/2008 8:27:40 PM

+1 Boost

Th LS started out low and worked it's way up too and the last LS was no bigger than the RL yet it was argueably the best luxury sedan available.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/18/2008 10:56:36 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

???

Are you saying best "luxury" sedan, or best sedan overall? Because the A8 beat it in every comparison test the two were involved in, though the LS usually beat out the W220 S-Class, for good reason.

It is interesting that the RL and LS were the same length (197 in), because the Acura looked so much smaller and cheaper.

golfer38 - 3/19/2008 3:05:02 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Regarding length...The wheel base of the RL is shorter and the overall length is misleading. The front and rear overhangs are sort of pointed especially the front. So when you look at at 193.6 inch length, not 197, its appearance makes it look more like 190 inches. Simply put, its just a horrible design and in reality as well as perception its always been smaller than the LS.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/20/2008 2:25:07 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

2000 Acura RL
Length: 196.6 in

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Reviews/Luxury_Cars/2000_Acura_RL.S183.A972.html

We were referring to the last-gen, not the current model. Incredibly, the last-gen looked smaller than most of the midsizers, but it was as large as the LS430.

abcd - 3/18/2008 2:16:51 PM

+1 Boost

ooo no . they are doing luxury car like everyone else . even hyundai can do V8 RWD and this don`t mean it`s good . they are only premium carmaker without V8 . they should do something different e.g. lexus did V8 hybrid instead of V12

reply to this comment

Whelan - 3/18/2008 3:28:15 PM

+1 Boost

Honda will probably make one of the most efficient V8s compared with the others. Not having to utilize cylinder deactivation, but with it's valve technology.

reply to this comment

IhavearedS2000 - 3/18/2008 3:35:12 PM

+4 Boost

Sometimes I wonder if this website is bias then I remember...it is. How about posting the pic of the concept drawing instead of the the MMC RL? Even then, why can't people tap on the 'Read Article" link before they jump the gun and criticize?

The concept drawing is not by Acura as far as I can tell, but it still gives a good indication of the direction of Acura styling. Better than what we have but still needs improvement.

reply to this comment

Spectator - 3/18/2008 3:41:16 PM

+3 Boost

I'm sorry but did I just read correctly. The RL will come with a price tag of starting at over $70,000 dollars!

Thats going from under the German standard to right at its premier line in one fail swoop. I mean honestly, not even Lexus did that. To go from a $45,000 car to a $70,000+ car is a mammoth step.

Good luck Honda. You get one shot at a step this big. But a word to the wise, with a price tag equaling the BMW 750i, you have better produce a product that not only equals, but surpasses the BMW... or you will be lost in the gears of the german prestige machine.

reply to this comment

IhavearedS2000 - 3/18/2008 3:53:20 PM

+3 Boost

Edmunds is guesstimating on the price...if anything that &0 grand would be a fully loaded car...

reply to this comment

IhavearedS2000 - 3/18/2008 3:54:00 PM

+3 Boost

sorry - 70 grand

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investor27 - 3/18/2008 3:59:11 PM

+5 Boost

I agree with Spectator. If you're going to make a $70,000 car, it better be better than the BMW 750i and Audi A8.

reply to this comment

theoptimisticpessimist - 3/18/2008 5:10:13 PM

-2 Boost

And good luck on that!

lexusis350 - 3/18/2008 5:31:41 PM

+1 Boost

Acura said that they would never offer a V8. But I think this is a change that will be well received.

reply to this comment

jag30 - 3/18/2008 5:59:20 PM

-1 Boost

Im a big fan of V8! Its a monster engine and it out runs soccer moms and old maids on the road any day! However the reality will be the trend of v8's out! sorry! pushrod27!

reply to this comment

0to60 - 3/18/2008 6:05:28 PM

-1 Boost

They didnt listen hard enough.

reply to this comment

Alec - 3/18/2008 8:49:59 PM

+2 Boost

70 grand... i thought acura was an entry level luxury competitor, not a high ended luxury car like bmw, merc lexus, and audi (no specific order). Its a big step, and usually honda is cautious about everything. then again its edmunds predicting the price.

reply to this comment

keyzi747 - 3/19/2008 2:19:25 AM

+2 Boost

The consumer that Acura is targeting could careless about the price of gas. Besides, Honda offer enough fuel efficient cars. If you want a fuel miser, buy a Civic Hybrid. I think this is a very good move for Acura. Also this sounds like a move upmarket into the Lexus Ls/ MB S Class territory. This should be very interesting.

reply to this comment

Mercedes - 3/20/2008 5:50:24 AM

+1 Boost

I'm believe it when I see it.

reply to this comment

mikeydred20 - 3/20/2008 8:56:59 PM

+1 Boost

As a Mercedes fan you might not becuse if 420HP naturally aspirated is correct that will cost you alot of wet dreams.

Garrett3076 - 3/22/2008 10:08:58 PM

+1 Boost

Boring and expensive. That is what successful old people like to drive. Good grief Acura...

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