Acura’s V10, V8 plans on hold for now, may plan RSX successor

The economic downturn has taken a toll on Acura’s product plans for a V10 successor to the NSX, the long-awaited V8 and a rear-wheel-drive architecture.

Just last summer, Acura dealers were told to look forward to a V8 version of the Acura RL. But the program was put on hold by Honda President Takanobu Ito as part of the company’s cost cutting efforts. Also gone was the rear-wheel-drive program, which has now been pushed back to 2015 at the earliest, report Automotive News. Oh, and don’t even get us started on the V10 NSX.

But that doesn’t mean Acura will stop trying to be exciting. While we won’t see the V10 NSX, V8 or the rear-wheel-drive program gain traction until the economy improves, Acura is rumored to be planning a successor to the RSX.

Acura, which left the compact segment at the end of 2006 by dropping the RSX, is planning a successor to battle with the BMW 1-Series, Volvo C30 and Audi’s A3. The vehicle would be based on the next-generation Honda Civic, which arrives in 2011. So don’t expected to see anything until 2012.

Who know - by that time the economy may enable Acura to offer a V10 and V8 as well.

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/08/31/acuras-v10-v8-plans-on-hold-for-now-may-plan-rsx-successor/

TOV Confirms Acura's "Tier 1" program is moving forward on schedule

Temple of VTEC has recieved and confirmed (apparently they have seen the letter sent out by Acura officials) that the 'Tier 1' plans to entrench Acura firmly into competition with higher luxury brands (Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, etc) by producing a larger RWD car with a V8 engine. It was reported earlier on that Honda had put a stop to this along with cancelling the successor to the NSX (which is still cancelled).

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=808157

2009 Acura TL Rear Shot

We've already seen the offical Front End of the vehicle, now here's the rear end.

"According to our sources, here's what you can expect:
The much more exciting news lies in the next generation TL Type-S. Under the hood you will find the 3.7-liter V6 from the MDX CUV. That's an engine already rated at 300 HP in the MDX and our industry sources tell us to expect this motor to be good for around 330 HP in the TL's hot rod version. That said, we've also heard whispers that a number in the 340-350 HP range is not totally out of the realm of possibility.
If those horsepower numbers get your blood flowing, remember that power will also be coursing through Acura's torque-vectoring, SH-AWD system on the Type-S. That leads us to hope those rumors about a number closer to 350 HP turn out to be true.
The last bit of good news on the Type-S is the slush box. A 6 speed, manumatic DSG gearbox will be standard equipment on this faster-than-average sports sedan. Expect to be able to shift the gears through steering wheel-mounted, flappy-paddle shifters, or with the "stick" itself via a "+/-" gate.
Watch for the regular 2009 TL to go on sale during the summer or fall of 2008 and we expect the meaner S-Type following 6-12 months later. "

Source;
http://jalopnik.com/398513/2009-acura-tl-type+s-shows-us-all-four-pipes-in-tacoma

Official 2009 Acura TL Pic and Info

Two TL flavors will be offered, confirming the preview report that ran on Autoblog in April. Honda doesn't announce powertrain specifics other than to confirm that the new TL will be available with Acura's SH-AWD system and also offer the marque's "most powerful engine ever." We assume that to mean the 300-horsepower 3.7L engine used in the RL and MDX will also be making an appearance in the TL. Based on what we were told back in April, look for a 280-horsepower 3.5L to serve as the base engine in the FWD car.

Source; http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/11/2009-acura-tl-shows-its-face-awd-confirmed/

2011 Acura RL RWD Test Mule Spyshots Caught by Brenda Priddy & Co.

The Acura RL received a facelift a few months ago in preparation for the 2009 model year, but that hasn't stopped Acura engineers from proceeding full speed ahead with a complete redesign for the 2011 model year. The all-new RL will be the first ever Acura to use a rear-wheel-drive platform as its basis. Our newest spy photos show a test mule for the new chassis, with body components donated from the new TSX.

Recent rumors also indicate the car will come equipped with Acura's first ever V8 — a 420 horsepower 4.8-liter range-topping unit. Other more economical engines are also expected to be offered. An optional RWD-based version of Honda's SH-AWD system is expected to be offered.

The RWD nature of this car is plain to see. Take note of the large space between the front door and the front wheel, for example. While the test mule pictured looks like a Frankenstein TSX, the final RL will have completely new styling unique to it. Since the Advanced Sedan Concept was unpopular to say the least, designers are believed to have gone back to the drawing board.

Source; http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-rl-future.html

2010 Acura RL rumours

Looks like Honda is going to be listening to the critic's and will be adding a RWD V8 RL for 2010! Another rumour is that Honda is working on a 420-horsepower 4.8-liter V8 which will incorporate the Variable Cylinder Management System currently employed in the Honda Accord V6's, (VCM = Cylinder deactivation), to manage fuel better.

The car will supposedly feature an FR layout with SH-AWD, which is the setup that Honda says will underpin the next generation NSX.