Preliminary RL Info: New "Super Handling AWD" System announced

[rollazn]

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=217602

Read it here...

 

[1X83Z]

Yeah. And $20 says it still won't be any good. Did you know that you can have a '96 RL (navigation, leather, sunroof, CD, automatic climate, power heated seats, alloys) for about the same as a new Kia Spectra? Depreciation usually doesn't take Acuras for that sort of a ride.

Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, and Audi handle the three sedan game very well. Lexus has a sport sedan (IS300), two premium sedans (ES330 and GS), and a luxury sedan (LS430); Infiniti has a sport sedan (G35), two premium sedans (I35 and M45) and a luxury sedan (Q45); BMW has a sport sedan (3-series), a premium sedan (5-series) and a luxury sedan (7-series), and Audi has a sport sedan (A4), a premium sedan (A6), and a luxury sedan (A8). Acura can't play the game properly - they've got two sport sedans and a premium sedan, and the sport sedans are the only standouts. A luxury brand will never be taken seriously without correctly-executed sedans, and the RL is definitely not correctly-executed. And whose idea was it to let the RL remain the same for nine model years?

 

[vat_man]

So, I gather from the article that the 'Super Fun Happy Slide AWD' is actually full time, and not fart-time like the 'Real Time' system?

I guess I won't be holding my breath waiting for this to hit the CR-X and MDX. Not that I would be anyway.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by vat_man

I guess I won't be holding my breath waiting for this to hit the CR-X and MDX. Not that I would be anyway.

CR-X? Do you mean CR-V? MDX? What the hell is that?

 

[skip0110]

I bet he does mean CR-V. And MDX is the Acura version of the Honda Pilot. Heh, in my opinion even Cadillac is more on track as a marque than Acura is, or ever has been. Their lineup never seemed to have any "branding" or general theme.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by M5Power
CR-X? Do you mean CR-V? MDX? What the hell is that?

Yeah - CR-V. Teach me to post drunk.

The MDX is this thing:

Fill in the blank - the world needs another Honda SUV/4wd wagon like......

Some suggestions:
- like Porsche needs a large V6 SUV
- like a fish needs a bicycle
- like Williams needs another petulant driver
- like Michelin need unexpectedly cold Grand Prix afternoons

 

[Party for GT4]

In the UK we have a CRX:

And a CRV (the MDX in your pic).

 

[toyomatt84]

That UK CRX you have, is an American Honda Civic Del Sol.

 

[Scaff]

Originally posted by toyomatt84
That UK CRX you have, is an American Honda Civic Del Sol.

To be really acurate the picture posted by Party for GT4 was sold in the UK as the 'Honda CRX Del Sol'.

The car sold in the UK as just the 'Honda CRX' was the original (and much loved) original, as pictured below.

Honda CRX = Good, fun, cheap car

Honda CRX Del Sol = Overpriced, targa type mess

Please note all comments are the poster own and biased by his love of the original CRX.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by vat_man

The MDX is this thing:

Easily the most interesting thing I've heard today. The US sees two that-size Honda SUVs, the Acura MDX (top) and the Honda Pilot.

Despite the MDX being a much more upmarket vehicle since it's an Acura, the Honda Pilot is widely regarded as not only the better of the two but the best midsize SUV for sale. I personally think it's the best midsize SUV since the 1991-1994 Explorer (though I haven't yet thought that statement through entirely, so don't hold me to it).

Because of this, I'm forced to wonder - why doesn't Australia get the Pilot instead of the MDX? If I'm right the MDX got a minor update in Australia with this model year - seems like a missed opportunity to switch the Pilot in for the MDX.

. Heh, in my opinion even Cadillac is more on track as a marque than Acura is, or ever has been. Their lineup never seemed to have any "branding" or general theme.

Though Cadillac has the most direction of any brand on the market, I'd have to say that Acura's also got a fair bit of direction - their current sporting intentions seem obvious to everyone I talk to.

 

[vat_man]

Honda fancies itself an upmarket brand here - the MDX plays in the Lexus RX330 and Volvo XC90 segment, edging into Touareg territory.

Where does the Pilot sit, relative to the market - it looks like the old model CR-V.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by vat_man
Honda fancies itself an upmarket brand here - the MDX plays in the Lexus RX330 and Volvo XC90 segment, edging into Touareg territory.

Wow - that surprises me since Acura takes that slot here.

Where does the Pilot sit, relative to the market - it looks like the old model CR-V.

It's a direct competitor with midsize SUVs like the Ford Explorer, Mitsubishi Montero, Nissan Pathfinder, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The engine's a 240bhp 3.5L unit, probably the same one in the Australian MDX (it's the same one in the Acura MDX, though the Acura puts out 265bhp, the most of any Honda with the 3.5L engine).

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by M5Power
Wow - that surprises me since Acura takes that slot here.

It's a direct competitor with midsize SUVs like the Ford Explorer, Mitsubishi Montero, Nissan Pathfinder, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The engine's a 240bhp 3.5L unit, probably the same one in the Australian MDX (it's the same one in the Acura MDX, though the Acura puts out 265bhp, the most of any Honda with the 3.5L engine).

Well, Honda aren't the mass market seller they are in the US - excepting the Civic and Jazz. The Accord gets sold in pretty upmarket trim (in both versions) so Honda push it at the top end Japanese mid-size market, which sits just under the base Euro mid size (why you'd buy a mid-size Euro, like a Peugeot 406, Citreon C5 and Alfa 156 when you can buy a Mazda 6, Subaru Liberty/Legacy or Honda Accord Euro for 80% of their price is beyond me).

The 4wd market here is VERY competitive - the market the Pilot plays in is dominated by Toyota (Landcruiser Prado) and Mitsubishi (Pajero/Shogun). Honda have obviously made the decision (correctly in my view) that the time and effort of getting a foothold in that part of the 4wd market is not going to be worth the limited sales at what would probably be a small margin.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by vat_man

The 4wd market here is VERY competitive - the market the Pilot plays in is dominated by Toyota (Landcruiser Prado) and Mitsubishi (Pajero/Shogun). Honda have obviously made the decision (correctly in my view) that the time and effort of getting a foothold in that part of the 4wd market is not going to be worth the limited sales at what would probably be a small margin.

No 4WD market is more competitive than that in the United States, where we've got six extremely competent midsize SUVs and 25 others trying to look competent. As I said the Pilot is considered the best - the only SUV in history with a three-month waiting list. I haven't yet heard of one even being discounted. But it doesn't sound like Honda Australia quite has the reputation that American Honda has developed.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by M5Power
No 4WD market is more competitive than that in the United States, where we've got six extremely competent midsize SUVs and 25 others trying to look competent. As I said the Pilot is considered the best - the only SUV in history with a three-month waiting list. I haven't yet heard of one even being discounted. But it doesn't sound like Honda Australia quite has the reputation that American Honda has developed.

Yeah - but your market's also many times bigger than ours, which leaves a lot more room for niche players.

 

[Scaff]

Originally posted by M5Power
As I said the Pilot is considered the best - the only SUV in history with a three-month waiting list. I haven't yet heard of one even being discounted.

Currently UK waiting lists for the Volvo XC90 stand at six months, with low milegae used cars easaly selling for over list price.

The BMW X-5 had 3 month plus waiting lists at launch in Europe and Range Rovers have always had long waiting lists at launch.

The pilot may be the only SUV in American history with a three-month waiting list, but certainly not on a global scale.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Scaff

The pilot may be the only SUV in American history with a three-month waiting list, but certainly not on a global scale.

Yes, yes, I know, I'm the big dumb American who needs to be corrected because he's not globally aware enough to know what he's talking about.

Hey, Scaff, the current Volvo XC90 waiting list is about four months in the UK, not six, and it's less for the D5 and T6. And I'll stand by exactly what I said. I'm an American discussing the American market and specifically a vehicle sold only in America. So excuse me if, when I say 'in history' I think it's completely obvious that I'm referring to American history.

 

[Scaff]

Originally posted by M5Power
Yes, yes, I know, I'm the big dumb American who needs to be corrected because he's not globally aware enough to know what he's talking about.

Hey, Scaff, the current Volvo XC90 waiting list is about four months in the UK, not six, and it's less for the D5 and T6. And I'll stand by exactly what I said. I'm an American discussing the American market and specifically a vehicle sold only in America. So excuse me if, when I say 'in history' I think it's completely obvious that I'm referring to American history.

M5Power, I'm sorry you fell that you are a big dumb yank; but that's your comment not mine.

I have no doubt that you are aware of what your writing, but its a bit presumptious to asume that everyone else does.

Please do not imagine an insult or slight when one does not exist.

Volvo dealer I speak to (and I do so on a regular basis) are currently quoting customers a six month waiting time, as you say varying for model by a month or two.

Lengthy waiting lists have been the situation for certain SUVs (Range Rovers, BMW X-5) from launch in Europe, as is the fact that certain models will sell at above list as nearly new models. Sometimes this is due to customer demand exceeding expectations, sometines it is engineered by the manufacturer. Again you may be aware of this, but not everyone is.

I had the idea that this forum was about sharing your knowledge with other like mided people, I do not presume what people know or do not know.

Having worked in the motor industry in Europe for the last 10+ years and that from your profile you also work in the industry, I know we both have a fair bit of knowledge to share; but must alway remember that not everyone is in the same position.