Interesting Take On Acura...
01-15-2014, 08:20 PM
#4
Very ignorant (willfully, or otherwise) writer, that's for sure - he's certainly dismissive.
New NSX
New hybrid drivetrain
New 8-speed and 9-speed transmissions (including another DCT - their second)
All-wheel steering (P-AWS)
SH-AWD on all upper models (MDX, TLX, RLX, new NSX)
Oh, and let's not forget, Acura just set their best sales year for trucks EVER.
Their new styling language on the TLX looks great, certainly a MASSIVE step forward over the very bland, very uninspiring RLX. I'm not a huge fan of the nose but the rest looks very good to my eye. Looks nothing like an old Lexus IS (guy is blind). If anything, it has some Infiniti tones with perhaps a few light touches of any of a number of cars.
Acura's FWD sedans do struggle to compete against some RWD counterparts. That's why Acura's top models all have SH-AWD, which is very much a means of equalizing the performance field. The current-gen TL SH-AWD with 6MT is a hoot to drive (considering its class, at least) with tons of torque, power and grip. It can really hustle when you're flogging it.
Comparing the TLX to a Chrysler 200? He lost all credibility there.
Chrysler 200 is a Dodge Dart that's been tarted up, pretty much.
He acknowledges a number of good things, then dismisses them. Hardly unbiased or fair. You can't dismiss the strengths and harp about the weaknesses only.
THAT SAID, he's right that Acura needs some excitement. He's right that they do need to jump out of the box. They have and are, to a degree. The new NSX is a HUGE leap for them and the new styling on the TLX is also quite new for them. The transmissions are all-new and the hybrid powertrains are also new.
Exciting? Not really, but they're all competitive vehicles. The NSX is their excitement car.
Infiniti is pretty bland as well, since he mentioned them. Their last exciting move was changing a G to a Q. Otherwise, their cars and lineup have changed very little. Audi has great styling (in my opinion) but most people can't tell an A3 from an A4 from an A6, so hardly "exciting" on that front.
New NSX
New hybrid drivetrain
New 8-speed and 9-speed transmissions (including another DCT - their second)
All-wheel steering (P-AWS)
SH-AWD on all upper models (MDX, TLX, RLX, new NSX)
Oh, and let's not forget, Acura just set their best sales year for trucks EVER.
Their new styling language on the TLX looks great, certainly a MASSIVE step forward over the very bland, very uninspiring RLX. I'm not a huge fan of the nose but the rest looks very good to my eye. Looks nothing like an old Lexus IS (guy is blind). If anything, it has some Infiniti tones with perhaps a few light touches of any of a number of cars.
Acura's FWD sedans do struggle to compete against some RWD counterparts. That's why Acura's top models all have SH-AWD, which is very much a means of equalizing the performance field. The current-gen TL SH-AWD with 6MT is a hoot to drive (considering its class, at least) with tons of torque, power and grip. It can really hustle when you're flogging it.
Comparing the TLX to a Chrysler 200? He lost all credibility there.
Chrysler 200 is a Dodge Dart that's been tarted up, pretty much.He acknowledges a number of good things, then dismisses them. Hardly unbiased or fair. You can't dismiss the strengths and harp about the weaknesses only.
THAT SAID, he's right that Acura needs some excitement. He's right that they do need to jump out of the box. They have and are, to a degree. The new NSX is a HUGE leap for them and the new styling on the TLX is also quite new for them. The transmissions are all-new and the hybrid powertrains are also new.
Exciting? Not really, but they're all competitive vehicles. The NSX is their excitement car.
Infiniti is pretty bland as well, since he mentioned them. Their last exciting move was changing a G to a Q.
Otherwise, their cars and lineup have changed very little. Audi has great styling (in my opinion) but most people can't tell an A3 from an A4 from an A6, so hardly "exciting" on that front.
01-15-2014, 10:42 PM
#5
Acura is for those who want a nicer Honda, and depending who you are, that's either a good thing or a bad thing. It's not meant for those seeking a status symbol like an S class, an adrenaline rush (well I guess until the hybrid NSX), a 3 or 5 series fighter, an M_ fighter, etc. It's for the value minded consumer who essentially want a Honda Accord, Pilot, etc but wants something more, hmm, special and luxurious.
Btw, I think the article is more talking about the brand management of Acura vs. the actual viability of Acura.
Btw, I think the article is more talking about the brand management of Acura vs. the actual viability of Acura.
01-15-2014, 11:10 PM
#6
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Acura is for those who want a nicer Honda, and depending who you are, that's either a good thing or a bad thing. It's not meant for those seeking a status symbol like an S class, an adrenaline rush (well I guess until the hybrid NSX), a 3 or 5 series fighter, an M_ fighter, etc. It's for the value minded consumer who essentially want a Honda Accord, Pilot, etc but wants something more, hmm, special and luxurious.
Btw, I think the article is more talking about the brand management of Acura vs. the actual viability of Acura.
Btw, I think the article is more talking about the brand management of Acura vs. the actual viability of Acura.
Mainstream, attainable "luxury" for practical, non-car people. A safe bet for those that view cars as appliances, yet feel they deserve something "decent'.
01-15-2014, 11:50 PM
#7
From article:
This is a brand that desperately needs something to create some buzz and shake up the status quo. Sure, there's the new NSX supposedly headed our way soon. You know, they one they've been teasing us with since 2011. By the time that gets out, it won't matter anymore because the year will be 2065 and no one will be driving anymore because all cars will be autonomous. (That was sarcasm.)
But besides the new NSX — which has a tremendous legacy to live up to, so it had better be damn near perfect — there isn't much to Acura these days.
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01-16-2014, 04:55 AM
#8
Moderator
Very ignorant (willfully, or otherwise) writer, that's for sure - he's certainly dismissive.
New NSX
New hybrid drivetrain
New 8-speed and 9-speed transmissions (including another DCT - their second)
All-wheel steering (P-AWS)
SH-AWD on all upper models (MDX, TLX, RLX, new NSX)
Oh, and let's not forget, Acura just set their best sales year for trucks EVER.
Their new styling language on the TLX looks great, certainly a MASSIVE step forward over the very bland, very uninspiring RLX. I'm not a huge fan of the nose but the rest looks very good to my eye. Looks nothing like an old Lexus IS (guy is blind). If anything, it has some Infiniti tones with perhaps a few light touches of any of a number of cars.
Acura's FWD sedans do struggle to compete against some RWD counterparts. That's why Acura's top models all have SH-AWD, which is very much a means of equalizing the performance field. The current-gen TL SH-AWD with 6MT is a hoot to drive (considering its class, at least) with tons of torque, power and grip. It can really hustle when you're flogging it.
Comparing the TLX to a Chrysler 200? He lost all credibility there. Chrysler 200 is a Dodge Dart that's been tarted up, pretty much.
He acknowledges a number of good things, then dismisses them. Hardly unbiased or fair. You can't dismiss the strengths and harp about the weaknesses only.
THAT SAID, he's right that Acura needs some excitement. He's right that they do need to jump out of the box. They have and are, to a degree. The new NSX is a HUGE leap for them and the new styling on the TLX is also quite new for them. The transmissions are all-new and the hybrid powertrains are also new.
Exciting? Not really, but they're all competitive vehicles. The NSX is their excitement car.
Infiniti is pretty bland as well, since he mentioned them. Their last exciting move was changing a G to a Q. Otherwise, their cars and lineup have changed very little. Audi has great styling (in my opinion) but most people can't tell an A3 from an A4 from an A6, so hardly "exciting" on that front.
New NSX
New hybrid drivetrain
New 8-speed and 9-speed transmissions (including another DCT - their second)
All-wheel steering (P-AWS)
SH-AWD on all upper models (MDX, TLX, RLX, new NSX)
Oh, and let's not forget, Acura just set their best sales year for trucks EVER.
Their new styling language on the TLX looks great, certainly a MASSIVE step forward over the very bland, very uninspiring RLX. I'm not a huge fan of the nose but the rest looks very good to my eye. Looks nothing like an old Lexus IS (guy is blind). If anything, it has some Infiniti tones with perhaps a few light touches of any of a number of cars.
Acura's FWD sedans do struggle to compete against some RWD counterparts. That's why Acura's top models all have SH-AWD, which is very much a means of equalizing the performance field. The current-gen TL SH-AWD with 6MT is a hoot to drive (considering its class, at least) with tons of torque, power and grip. It can really hustle when you're flogging it.
Comparing the TLX to a Chrysler 200? He lost all credibility there.
Chrysler 200 is a Dodge Dart that's been tarted up, pretty much.He acknowledges a number of good things, then dismisses them. Hardly unbiased or fair. You can't dismiss the strengths and harp about the weaknesses only.
THAT SAID, he's right that Acura needs some excitement. He's right that they do need to jump out of the box. They have and are, to a degree. The new NSX is a HUGE leap for them and the new styling on the TLX is also quite new for them. The transmissions are all-new and the hybrid powertrains are also new.
Exciting? Not really, but they're all competitive vehicles. The NSX is their excitement car.
Infiniti is pretty bland as well, since he mentioned them. Their last exciting move was changing a G to a Q.
Otherwise, their cars and lineup have changed very little. Audi has great styling (in my opinion) but most people can't tell an A3 from an A4 from an A6, so hardly "exciting" on that front.
01-16-2014, 05:21 AM
#9
EDIT: Okay you are referring to the 2015 200. I think it's silly for the author to compare the 200 to the TLX, since the 200 competes with the ILX.
