RHalabi wrote: I think the RLX will sell pretty well. I'm guessing around 25000 units a year. Its that good.
I think there may be a place for you on Acura's marketing team!
I know once people try a left or right turn, the PAWS will be mind bending. I'm sure the german makers are going back to the drawing bored now for their next gen 5, a6, eclass to add this feature as a 10,000 dollar handling package.
Class leading handling, and mpg is not bad and IMO the Krell audio makes its best in class sound too. The best in class rear seat room means not that much to me personally but I can see its value.
The only thing I think it needs in the MMC or next gen is some snob transmission to make it stand more in line with its peers. i.e. dual clutch 8-10 speed autos. Maybe add a i4 base model to compete with the 528i 2.0T.
Personally, every time I want to upgrade my current vehicle which is paid off, I always stop myself by saying "keep saving for nsx, nothing else matters". I think sure I'll be happier in a new car but there really is no point since it wont quench the thirst. Nothing will except the nsx. But you know I often wonder if the sh-sh-awd rlx would be a nice buy since it has a slice of some nsx dna.
Another point is once the NSX is released I think it will increase RLX, TL, and ILX sales, just by being on the streets.
RHalabi wrote: I think the RLX will sell pretty well. I'm guessing around 25000 units a year. Its that good.
I think there may be a place for you on Acura's marketing team!
I know once people try a left or right turn, the PAWS will be mind bending. I'm sure the german makers are going back to the drawing bored now for their next gen 5, a6, eclass to add this feature as a 10,000 dollar handling package.
Class leading handling, and mpg is not bad and IMO the Krell audio makes its best in class sound too. The best in class rear seat room means not that much to me personally but I can see its value.
The only thing I think it needs in the MMC or next gen is some snob transmission to make it stand more in line with its peers. i.e. dual clutch 8-10 speed autos. Maybe add a i4 base model to compete with the 528i 2.0T.
Personally, every time I want to upgrade my current vehicle which is paid off, I always stop myself by saying "keep saving for nsx, nothing else matters". I think sure I'll be happier in a new car but there really is no point since it wont quench the thirst. Nothing will except the nsx. But you know I often wonder if the sh-sh-awd rlx would be a nice buy since it has a slice of some nsx dna.
Another point is once the NSX is released I think it will increase RLX, TL, and ILX sales, just by being on the streets.
I haven't driven the RLX. I'll probably never get the chance. But I do think you're overestimating what PAWS is capable of.
I am an Acura fan (currently 2002 TL, 2008 MDX, and 2010 RDX) but I have to agree. While very well done, the base RLX is a 310 hp 3.5 litter transverse V6 FWD 6 speed automatic sedan. Pretty similar to the 2014 Chevy Impala in specs and external styling but at about just under twice the price. Yes it has PAWS and an elegant interior but if its going to take buyers from the Audi A6, BMW 535 or Mercedes E it needs to be a home run not ho hum and should have come out with 370 hp AWD and 7 speed DCT version. (We all know Audi came out with the AWD supercharged 3L V6 -now with 8 speed automatic- 310 hp 325 lbs ft before the FWD turbo 4 version). This may relegate the RLX to a perception of mediocrity and makes you wonder what technical troubles Acura is having with the hybrid/AWD. Frankly I prefer the SH-AWD of the 2012 RL than FWD limo 2013 RLX.
Wingz1 wrote: Hey sorry if I missed this but I can't figure out why they keep listing the Hybrid version at 370hp???
310+27+27+40= 404hp
The hybrid motor in the tranny is 40hp and a "generator" as well , but its still 40hp adding to the count so what gives??
I'm sure the "techies" on this site will jump in, but I believe you can't just add the numbers together to get a true total. Something to do with how/when the power is generated?
RHalabi wrote: I think the RLX will sell pretty well. I'm guessing around 25000 units a year. Its that good.
I think there may be a place for you on Acura's marketing team!
I know once people try a left or right turn, the PAWS will be mind bending. I'm sure the german makers are going back to the drawing bored now for their next gen 5, a6, eclass to add this feature as a 10,000 dollar handling package.
Class leading handling, and mpg is not bad and IMO the Krell audio makes its best in class sound too. The best in class rear seat room means not that much to me personally but I can see its value.
The only thing I think it needs in the MMC or next gen is some snob transmission to make it stand more in line with its peers. i.e. dual clutch 8-10 speed autos. Maybe add a i4 base model to compete with the 528i 2.0T.
Personally, every time I want to upgrade my current vehicle which is paid off, I always stop myself by saying "keep saving for nsx, nothing else matters". I think sure I'll be happier in a new car but there really is no point since it wont quench the thirst. Nothing will except the nsx. But you know I often wonder if the sh-sh-awd rlx would be a nice buy since it has a slice of some nsx dna.
Another point is once the NSX is released I think it will increase RLX, TL, and ILX sales, just by being on the streets.
I haven't driven the RLX. I'll probably never get the chance. But I do think you're overestimating what PAWS is capable of.
Well Honda said it themselves! "class leading handling." But you will never understand how big of an impact 4 wheel steer is.
It really is unfair to even compare the RLX to anything else since the feature is such a huge handicap.
@ 21-23 seconds: There is something different about the exterior door handles. There is not just a dip for your hand to fit in, there seems to be an extra layer added there but not sure what for. I would have understood the extra piece if it were a different color like chrome or material but it seems to match the car.
@ 49 seconds: Looks like Acura is no longer making the back echo the front by ditching the pentagram shape around the license plate. Wish that they have closed off the interior 4the side of the tail lights with the LED tubing.
@ 1:17: I like the fog light area. The section is usually one of the weakest parts of Honda/Acura design where it looks like they just added the fog lights/vents as an afterthought. This appears to be integrated into the design well.
@ 1:40: Heated rear seats I believe is an Acura 1st ... ? What does that middle button do? Looks like the dial (temp control?) lights up - nice touch.
@ 1:56: 4 out of the 6 buttons are in use. Wonder what the last 2 are for.
@ 2:21: They are doing the ceiling cut-out again so rear passengers still have more head room
Still not a fan of the wood. I hope that Acura will at least give wood color options or a metal accent package to cover it.
I ponder if Acura will use that wheel resonator thing they debuted on the 2011 RL - have heard anything about it.
I really want to like the RLX but the design overall is just to plain. It really doesn't look all that modern compared to say the Audi A7 or the new BMW 4 Series as those cars have modern elements that are successfully implemented into their designs. The RLX on the other hand could be from model year 2008 and I would not even think twice.
Acura, first and foremost get your design team in line or wipe the slate clean and hire an all new design staff as the current is clueless about complete design execution. After that get you sedan lineup in order by size, performance and pricing structure as currently its all over the place. Last but not least be competitive with technology as currently (excluding SH SH-AWD) the technologies you're just now offering have been available by the competition for a few years now.
After visiting the RLX LA show video, a couple of things.
The alloy wheels look like wheel covers, the tail lights appear to be stolen from a Cruze and the hoopty front fender curves still suck.
I'm sure the techno-stuff will be cool, but will this be enough?
After visiting the RLX LA show video, a few things.
The alloy wheels look like wheel covers, the tail lights appear to be stolen from a Cruze and the hoopty front fender curves still suck.
I'm sure the techno-stuff will be cool, but will this be enough?
CivicB18 wrote: I really want to like the RLX but the design overall is just to plain. It really doesn't look all that modern compared to say the Audi A7 or the new BMW 4 Series as those cars have modern elements that are successfully implemented into their designs. The RLX on the other hand could be from model year 2008 and I would not even think twice.
Acura, first and foremost get your design team in line or wipe the slate clean and hire an all new design staff as the current is clueless about complete design execution. After that get you sedan lineup in order by size, performance and pricing structure as currently its all over the place. Last but not least be competitive with technology as currently (excluding SH SH-AWD) the technologies you're just now offering have been available by the competition for a few years now.
~Patrick
I think this is a very good point and observation. After watching the video here, the RLX is a very "nice" car with some very "nice" features, but nothing that is really exciting. That's what people want in this space.
I actually believe a minor wheel design change could up the ante a tad and maybe get some better reaction. The wheels on the car are just boring. This reminds me of the present RL. A very "nice", competent, well put together vehicle, but boring as hell. When you are BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc., you can maybe get away with a bland design (E class, 5'er), but Acura is far from that brand cache.
The RLX will probably sell as well as the present RL...ok, maybe a tad better, but not much. Acura still doesn't get it, IMO.
TSX69 wrote:@ 1:40: Heated rear seats I believe is an Acura 1st ... ? What does that middle button do? Looks like the dial (temp control?) lights up - nice touch.
CivicB18 wrote: I really want to like the RLX but the design overall is just to plain. It really doesn't look all that modern compared to say the Audi A7 or the new BMW 4 Series as those cars have modern elements that are successfully implemented into their designs. The RLX on the other hand could be from model year 2008 and I would not even think twice.
Acura, first and foremost get your design team in line or wipe the slate clean and hire an all new design staff as the current is clueless about complete design execution. After that get you sedan lineup in order by size, performance and pricing structure as currently its all over the place. Last but not least be competitive with technology as currently (excluding SH SH-AWD) the technologies you're just now offering have been available by the competition for a few years now.
~Patrick
I am beginning to appreciate (took me this long to realize) Honda and Acura's approach to their designs because most, if not all, of their designs age really well. IMO Audi's design age really fast - its seems they look great at first, then they go meh - fast. The same is for me with the current BMWs.
Having said that, I do agree that Acura's design team is lagging behind. Fire them all off? I would like to give them a second chance because of this: the 2004 TL. That car is simply stunning and I still love it. They also got the ILX almost right (that car is, dare I say, sexy). And kill me but I also love the ZDX.
I wish the designers of the RLX mimic the ILX styling most especially the car's prominent rear shoulders. Too late to cry over spilled milk though. I hope Acura will not take any missteps in their designs anymore. Several years is enough.
CivicB18 wrote: I really want to like the RLX but the design overall is just to plain. It really doesn't look all that modern compared to say the Audi A7 or the new BMW 4 Series as those cars have modern elements that are successfully implemented into their designs. The RLX on the other hand could be from model year 2008 and I would not even think twice.
Acura, first and foremost get your design team in line or wipe the slate clean and hire an all new design staff as the current is clueless about complete design execution. After that get you sedan lineup in order by size, performance and pricing structure as currently its all over the place. Last but not least be competitive with technology as currently (excluding SH SH-AWD) the technologies you're just now offering have been available by the competition for a few years now.
~Patrick
I am beginning to appreciate (took me this long to realize) Honda and Acura's approach to their designs because most, if not all, of their designs age really well. IMO Audi's design age really fast - its seems they look great at first, then they go meh - fast. The same is for me with the current BMWs.
Having said that, I do agree that Acura's design team is lagging behind. Fire them all off? I would like to give them a second chance because of this: the 2004 TL. That car is simply stunning and I still love it. They also got the ILX almost right (that car is, dare I say, sexy). And kill me but I also love the ZDX.
I wish the designers of the RLX mimic the ILX styling most especially the car's prominent rear shoulders. Too late to cry over spilled milk though. I hope Acura will not take any missteps in their designs anymore. Several years is enough.
You can have execute an interesting design that ages well, looks modern and timeless all at the same time. The front of the RLX looks like something from the mid 2000's.
The TL 2004-08 TL was a great design. It was interesting, distinctive, modern and timeless. It still looks great today as I have a white diamond 2008! Give the designers another chance you say? Why? Erik Berkman made the 04-08 TL happen as be was determined to bring that design to market even though the execs thought it was too polarizing and deemed too expensive. Guess what? It's the best selling TL to date!
Acuras design team needs to think outside the box and deliver something special. Even better, Acura needs a huge home run to get people to notice the brand again. The upcoming NSX can't carry the whole brand asthe rest of the products just merely exist. Acura needs to make a benchmark and remain consistent!
Jesse wrote: I am beginning to appreciate (took me this long to realize) Honda and Acura's approach to their designs because most, if not all, of their designs age really well. IMO Audi's design age really fast - its seems they look great at first, then they go meh - fast. The same is for me with the current BMWs.
I get what you're saying, and as a person who doesn't buy cars brand new, I too appreciate styling that ages well. That said, what Audi and BMW do is part of the beauty of their business. Make the most beautiful/interesting cars of the moment, and sell them - or lease them - to well-to-do people. When the lease is up, those consumers get the newest one. Or for those who bought, buy the newest one when it comes out, if only because the new one is the most beautiful/interesting of the moment, and the old one's styling has gotten stale. They have the means to make a new purchase - so give them the desire. It really and truly doesn't matter if everyone thinks the 5-year-old BMW whatever-series is ugly. Because there's a new gorgeous one on sale. That's what the new car buyers want, it's what the consumers whose leases are ending want, and it's what BMW wants. Best of all, the new cars have such a pull that you forget that the last one aged quickly... you just want it!
This is just another reason why Honda Motor Company is not really made for the luxury market. They are too thoughtful of their customers' long-term needs. I've always thought this especially in terms of wheel/tire packages. BMW gives you 19 or 20-inch wheels, with staggered tire sizes front and rear. And it's gorgeous and appealing, but the customer is in for a big surprise the first time they go shopping for tires. Meanwhile Acura customers will be far more pleased when they go buy standard tires for their 17 or 18" wheels. Very thoughtful of HMC. But also missing the point of the excess of luxury - and losing sales because of it. "Stupid" as those BMW owners are, they keep buying BMWs. Acura needs to tap into "stupid," not "Smart Luxury." The big money lies in stupid - save the smart for the Honda brand. "A fool and his money are soon parted."
Jesse wrote: I am beginning to appreciate (took me this long to realize) Honda and Acura's approach to their designs because most, if not all, of their designs age really well. IMO Audi's design age really fast - its seems they look great at first, then they go meh - fast. The same is for me with the current BMWs.
I get what you're saying, and as a person who doesn't buy cars brand new, I too appreciate styling that ages well. That said, what Audi and BMW do is part of the beauty of their business. Make the most beautiful/interesting cars of the moment, and sell them - or lease them - to well-to-do people. When the lease is up, those consumers get the newest one. Or for those who bought, buy the newest one when it comes out, if only because the new one is the most beautiful/interesting of the moment, and the old one's styling has gotten stale. They have the means to make a new purchase - so give them the desire. It really and truly doesn't matter if everyone thinks the 5-year-old BMW whatever-series is ugly. Because there's a new gorgeous one on sale. That's what the new car buyers want, it's what the consumers whose leases are ending want, and it's what BMW wants. Best of all, the new cars have such a pull that you forget that the last one aged quickly... you just want it!
This is just another reason why Honda Motor Company is not really made for the luxury market. They are too thoughtful of their customers' long-term needs. I've always thought this especially in terms of wheel/tire packages. BMW gives you 19 or 20-inch wheels, with staggered tire sizes front and rear. And it's gorgeous and appealing, but the customer is in for a big surprise the first time they go shopping for tires. Meanwhile Acura customers will be far more pleased when they go buy standard tires for their 17 or 18" wheels. Very thoughtful of HMC. But also missing the point of the excess of luxury - and losing sales because of it. "Stupid" as those BMW owners are, they keep buying BMWs. Acura needs to tap into "stupid," not "Smart Luxury." The big money lies in stupid - save the smart for the Honda brand. "A fool and his money are soon parted."
That is another reason Honda/Acura offers A-Spec/HFP suspension packages as an accessory vs offering a Sport package from the factory. I believe I read somewhere since these packages lower the vehicle slightly that Honda/Acura would have to get those vehicles retested in regards to crash tests. It seems to me that offering a sport package from the factory would be more cost effective as people would have to take the vehicle back to the dealer to purchase and install those parts. I'm willing to bet BMW, Audi and other brands make a large profit offering factory sport packages.
In regards to timeless designs I think the Germans are just as good in offering these designs vs Honda/Acura as cars like the E46 3 Series and the original Audi A4 still look great. They've aged no more vs Acuras of the same time frame.
Unfortunately, getting a new model almost right can sometimes be a problem for the dealer's. There are now 141 ILX's gathering dust at my 2 local dealers.
Unfortunately, getting a new model almost right can sometimes be a problem for the dealer's. There are now 141 ILX's gathering dust at my 2 local dealers.
I'll wager they're not gathering dust because of their looks.
Unfortunately, getting a new model almost right can sometimes be a problem for the dealer's. There are now 141 ILX's gathering dust at my 2 local dealers.
I'll wager they're not gathering dust because of their looks.
If I was Acura:
-Acura ILX 2.4/CVT
-Acura ILX 2.0t FWD 7DCT/6MT
-Acura ILX 2.0t SH-AWD 7DCT/6MT
-Acura ILX Hybrid (from the Accord Hybrid).
I would lower the price of entry and the hybrid (if possible) and leave the pricing as is for the 2.0t models.
Unfortunately, getting a new model almost right can sometimes be a problem for the dealer's. There are now 141 ILX's gathering dust at my 2 local dealers.
I'll wager they're not gathering dust because of their looks.
Agreed, it's not a bad looking car, but I don't think we've had a single TOV'er purchase a 2.0 or a 1.5 ILX since they've been on the market.
Unfortunately, getting a new model almost right can sometimes be a problem for the dealer's. There are now 141 ILX's gathering dust at my 2 local dealers.
I'll wager they're not gathering dust because of their looks.
If I was Acura:
-Acura ILX 2.4/CVT
-Acura ILX 2.0t FWD 7DCT/6MT
-Acura ILX 2.0t SH-AWD 7DCT/6MT
-Acura ILX Hybrid (from the Accord Hybrid).
I would lower the price of entry and the hybrid (if possible) and leave the pricing as is for the 2.0t models.
~Patrick
The "t" in 2.0t denoting a turbo, at no additional charge?
Unfortunately, getting a new model almost right can sometimes be a problem for the dealer's. There are now 141 ILX's gathering dust at my 2 local dealers.
I'll wager they're not gathering dust because of their looks.
If I was Acura:
-Acura ILX 2.4/CVT
-Acura ILX 2.0t FWD 7DCT/6MT
-Acura ILX 2.0t SH-AWD 7DCT/6MT
-Acura ILX Hybrid (from the Accord Hybrid).
I would lower the price of entry and the hybrid (if possible) and leave the pricing as is for the 2.0t models.
~Patrick
The "t" in 2.0t denoting a turbo, at no additional charge?
Acura is more likely to get 1.6L turbocharged than 2.0L... Output would be around 210-230 hp I guess...
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