Acura has scoffed at the idea of adding a V8 to its lineup for years, but it looks like things are finally changing.
Honda’s CEO Takeo Fukui has confirmed that Honda is finally going to launch its first V8 engine for the Acura brand. Although gas prices have killed vehicles that don't get great gas mileage, luxury buyers still demand it. Acura's sales are down 15.3 percent so far this year, so Acura needs something to bring in new buyers.
"I don’t think that the Acura RL 3.7-liter is sufficient. We can’t compete with other premium brands,” said Fukui.
According to Acura dealers, the RL is going to offer a V8 option within 18 months. It is also expected that the V8 will eventually be offered in an SUV as well, possibly the next-gen MDX.
Full Story: eGMCarTech
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Comments (17)
First again!
=)
Why am I so lucky? Maybe I should buy a lotto ticket tonight.
The car doesn't look that bad. It reminds me of a larger Honda Accord. I don't remember if they put that ugly beak on this car though. It's a damn shame if they did because otherwise I find it relatively good looking. Hopefully, the V-8 will help move some units. Although I feel it might be too late in the game for these changes to make a real impact.
Posted by D! | October 20, 2008 11:00 AM
Posted on October 20, 2008 11:00
Maybe its the can opener front end that's lower sales?
Posted by gm0n3y | October 20, 2008 11:05 AM
Posted on October 20, 2008 11:05
*lowering
Also, the backend is looking a little beamer-ish, which isn't necessarily a good thing, especially since the previous rear looked pretty good.
Posted by gm0n3y | October 20, 2008 11:06 AM
Posted on October 20, 2008 11:06
Lipstick on a pig.....
Posted by sparky | October 20, 2008 11:34 AM
Posted on October 20, 2008 11:34
If Honda was so against the V8 why not put a serious supercharger on the 3.7L? They could have easily push 400hp...
Next thing you know they'll enter Nascar...
Posted by Brian | October 20, 2008 11:42 AM
Posted on October 20, 2008 11:42
I doubt a V8 Accord, err, I mean, RL will help with sales. Acura needs it as an option but it will be useless if their cars are still fugly.
Posted by Gary | October 20, 2008 11:42 AM
Posted on October 20, 2008 11:42
What they need are turbos, not more cylinders. Direct injection, turbocharged engines are the future, with its power and fuel economy. My tuned 335i gets 30mpg and pushes 400hp. How sweet is that?
Posted by 335iRulez | October 20, 2008 12:04 PM
Posted on October 20, 2008 12:04
Honda's all about naturally aspirated power. Besides the new RDX there hasn't been a Honda vehicle that's come stock with a turbo in the US market.
Posted by D! | October 20, 2008 12:37 PM
Posted on October 20, 2008 12:37
@Brian:
Honda already makes some of the best racing V8's. They're just not for drivers who can only turn left...
@D! :
Honda is actually looking heavily into using a turbo deisel for their next gen Civic Type R. While the old Honda was all about NA, they've lost their edge when it comes to power/displacement. This is forcing them to look into Turbos and other ways to boost power.
Posted by Gary | October 20, 2008 1:40 PM
Posted on October 20, 2008 13:40
@335iRulez:
So your tuned 335 make 400 hp, which is equal to an LS2 V8 with a factory tune which gets similar mpg in the vette. At the same time your i6 is heavier and costs more. While I'm not sure what your tune entailed, I pretty certain it's not nearly as smooth as the LS2 at this point.
That is really the issue for Honda, a high-end buyer is going to appreciate the smooth power delivery and flat torque curve of the V8. Plus the name V8 is like a status sysmbol.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | October 20, 2008 4:09 PM
Posted on October 20, 2008 16:09
i commend honda for FINALLY putting a v8 in one of their cars, however i wonder if they are gonna finally let go of their addiction to front wheel drive. it will probly have AWD, but still be front biased. i wish they would learn already.
Posted by Charlie | October 20, 2008 5:53 PM
Posted on October 20, 2008 17:53
V8 is a status symbol? Whenever someone says they have a V8, I don't bow down on my knees and worship their large engines.
If it's a good car, I'll praise them. Just because it is a Mercedes, or whatever... if it isn't a good car, I won't look twice, despite any fancy badges.
But yeah, sweet looking car though. I like those seats!
Posted by Joan of Arc | October 20, 2008 6:04 PM
Posted on October 20, 2008 18:04
ditch the v8 and just go straight for the v10.
Posted by TrainRekS | October 20, 2008 9:28 PM
Posted on October 20, 2008 21:28
@Gary,
I know Honda has been in the Formula series for quite a while now, so they certainly have experience with V8 design. But realistically that type of engine is very similar to their mid-90's designs. Smaller piston, higher revving, power on the high end, low torque. Which in a light car isn't so bad and can be fun. In a luxury car that doesn't work.
I do agree a V8 is going to be smoother than a boosted V6, but I'm sure it cost a lot less to beef up the 3.7 than it does to tool a whole new engine.
Posted by Brian | October 21, 2008 12:12 AM
Posted on October 21, 2008 00:12
if a V8 will bring back buyers, a V16 will bring back more buyers.
This is almost Reaganomics!
Posted by lowest iq | October 21, 2008 3:25 AM
Posted on October 21, 2008 03:25
@Joan of Arc:
Missing the point. Two 5 series BMWs one with an i6 the other with a V8. The V8, regardless of performance appears more impressive on the sales floor or anywhere else for that matter.
The reality is boosted engines are inherently less reliable and more costly to operate. Brian you are right about it being a cheaper option for them though, but the issue is marketing. Everyone else has a V8 option even Hyundai.
The really funny thing is BMW use to have a marketing slogan "torque is cheap" that was directly aimed at their boosted rivals.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | October 21, 2008 3:26 PM
Posted on October 21, 2008 15:26
i think the V8 option could either hurt or help acura
the only people that will really driver a v8 will be the retired
also acura also said that they where going to bring back the
NSX w/ V-10 w/ 550hp but they have nto acted on it yet
if u really what a V8 people buy a honda civic EX-L
and have the dealer install a LS9 w/ 638hp
and run natural gas with is CNG. which will help the america
people have less chance to depend on the middle east?!
Posted by nic | November 6, 2008 8:10 AM
Posted on November 6, 2008 08:10