Saturday 13 August 2011

Acura product schedule leaked

Honda's luxury division, Acura will introduce a batch of new models over the next few years to combat dwindling sales. The first vehicle to arrive will be the restyled RDX in mid-2012. While front and all-wheel-drive will be offered, it will lose its turbocharged 4-pot for a 2.5 litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder. While a V6 engine isn't on the cards, a hybrid will be available.

Following closely behind is the 7-seat MDX that will launch in Autumn 2012. In keeping with its reserved style, the 300bhp (296PS/224kW) 3.7 litre V6 VTEC engine will be replaced by a 270bhp (266PS/201kW) 3.5 litre V6 VTEC, in addition to a hybrid joining the range.

Despite being outsold by the Saab 9-5, the range-topping RL will arrive completely refreshed in Winter 2012. Expect a V6 engine and all-wheel-drive to be standard.

Acura's future line-up seems to be missing the ZDX
crossover.

Just to clarify, the RDX underpins the Honda
CRV, while the MDX sits on the Pilot's platform. The TSX
underpins the European Accord, while the TL is based on
the U.S market Accord. The RL is a reworked Honda
Legend
Early 2013 will see the arrival of the RSX entry-level sedan. Underpinning the new Honda Civic, the RSX will take on the Lexus CT200h and will be different, in terms of style and size, to the humble compact car. A coupé variant is on the drawing board but won't arrive until the sedan's mid-cycle revision in 2015. Dealerships have also been asking for a convertible model. Meanwhile, the TSX may be axed in 2013 as the Japanese marque is worried that the RSX, TSX, and TL will share similar dimensions.

When the next-generation TL arrives in Winter 2013, Acura will contract the Accord-based mid-sized luxury sedan to better separate the TL from the RL. Like other Acura models, the engine in the TL will downsize to a newly-developed 3.5 litre VTEC V6 and will feature technology like cylinder deactivation, stop-start, and low-resistance tyres. A hybrid will also join the family.

While many thought the NSX sports car was left for dead, Honda's President, Takanobu Ito claims the a new version is been developed, with a market launch of 2016.

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