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It'll be interesting to see if the new NSX will help Acura regain any of the prestige they've squandered over the past decade+ of building boring cars.
I don't thins this is the case at all, as the quote below said, they are doing pretty good ahead of Audi & Infinity, etc.
Quote:
U.S. Acura sales rose 14 percent this year through April to 48,852 cars and light trucks, ranking it fifth in luxury volume behind Daimler AG (DAI)’s Mercedes-Benz, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG’s BMW, Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus and General Motors Co. (GM)’s Cadillac.
I don't thins this is the case at all, as the quote below said, they are doing pretty good ahead of Audi & Infinity, etc.
Prestige and sales #'s aren't necessarily correlated. If that was the case, the F150 would be the most prestigious vehicle you could own. It's not that Acuras aren't good cars, they just lack a brand identity separate from being a nicer Honda. Honda/Acura has a totally different pricing model with the lack of options available. They're more "one size fits all" cars rather than a car specifically tailored to the individual owner. It has it's advantage, especially on price, but it makes the line seem very narrow and utilitarian. You want an AWD coupe? You're not going to Acura. A convertible? Nope. A sports car? LOL, NO! Leather that isn't black or tan? Nope. Sport sedan? Nope.
I've owned and driven several and they're nice... Hondas.
I don't know, it wasn't like the original NSX built them all that much "cred". The Integra and then the second and third gen TL and the MDX are what built Acura's status/reputation. Of those, only the MDX is still considered relevant.
I really liked the original NSX and a buddy of mine has two of them. They are a nightmare to work on, but a blast to drive. I'm not a big fan of the direction they are going with all the electric motor hybrid stuff. They should have just built a modern lightweight frame and slapped their highest tech V6 in there and mated it to a 6-speed manual.
Why do you say they are a nightmare to work on? I think they are easier than any Ford modular V8.
Some things, like the clutch, are a bear. But most engine work is very straightforward and far easier than some cars like a Boxter. The engine is highly reliable and doesn't need much attention.
Acura doesn't seem to always project a clear language to what they are trying to be. Back in the day they had a definate performance angle to their lineup with the NSX, performance Integras, etc. The TSX and RSX were always marketed as more of a performance/drivers car, as I kind of see the ILX too (with the Civic Si 200 HP 4 and stick only drivetrain).
Yet, the rest of the lineup seems to have stagnated into Buick obscurity. To some degree, their larger sedans (regardless of name) have seemed a little more Buick than BMW to me in design language and execution, and have been in contrast to their obvious drivers car intentions elsewhere in the lineup.
Acura could really use a clear and cosnsistent message. Maybe they NSX can help build that, but they will need revisions elsewhere in the lineup for it to work. Actual RWD would help if that is the case too, since all the FWD chassis engineering in the world is not going to get their cars to drive like a G37 or 3 series.
I agree with much of this. Honda has struggled to keep Acura interesting. Go Buick like Lexus, or more sporty like BMW? Or neither? The styling misfires like the TL and the ZDX didn't help anything.
But the NSX is intended to be a showcase car. An advanced supercar using AWD and a mid-engine gasoline engine with electric motors powering the front wheels. Looks like a supercar, not a tuner car (GTR).
The original NSX outperformed its primary target (Ferrari 348) rather easily. And it didn't worry you that it would start or not when you go in it. Hopefully the new NSX is in the Audi R8 class.
I don't think Acura is making any mistakes pursuing an AWD hybrid drivetrain. This is the direction all high end cars are heading and it's no secret that the new car will run circles around the old one.
Acura are doing alright, they mainly sell grocery getters SUVs though.
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