Next-next-gen Acura RL may finally get a V8 ... or not
Honda has always been a company run by engineers who like to do more with less. In the 1970s, the Civic got a CVCC system that allowed it to meet emissions standards for many years without using a catalytic converter. Today the company's top of the line Acura RL competes in the luxury sport sedan segment with a V6 engine where others use a V8. The current RL has been somewhat of a sales laggard at least in part due to that powertrain choice. As a result, many have been pushing for Honda to drop a V8 in the RL. The problem is the company doesn't have one. Recently, CEO Takeo Fukui acknowledged the company was working on a V8 for a future RL, but now it has come to light that it won't be the next-generation model in 2011, but rather the one after that, due in 2015. If the company puts off a V8 that along, it seems likely that it won't ever happen. By that time, it's likely that smaller, boosted and direct injected engines will be the order of the day, especially with rising CAFE standards and the expected higher fuel prices. If anything, it would be more likely for Honda to develop a future performance hybrid variant than a V8 for the RL.
[Source: Auto Observer]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Max 4:58PM (11/29/2008)
Worst timing ever. V8 were cool until about 2007, and it's definitely over now.
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noz 5:16PM (11/29/2008)
Not only bad timing..but even more importantly...WHY? WTF are these people thinking?
Why do you need a V8 in a car like this or at all?
Sometimes I can't figure Honda out....they make such efficient and fuel miserly cars...then they do things like this.
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Sworkhard 9:16PM (11/29/2008)
Just because its a v8, doesn't mean its not fuel efficient. It will probably include advanced vtec, calendar deactivate, be around 4.0 L, high revving, and quite light weight. Just guess, but that's what I'd expect, or theres not much point for them to build it.
noz 12:46PM (11/30/2008)
There is no way a V8 will be as clean and as efficient as a well designed 4 cylinder. If they can make those improvements for an V8, imagine what they should do for a 4.
It's stupid in this day and age to put such a large engine in a car like this...it's not necessary or needed.
MikeW 10:16AM (12/01/2008)
V8 are supposedly prestige engines.
I don't think there is anything prestigious about a cross plane crank V8 L-R-L-L-R-L-R-R (they sound like crap, and make more noise than power)
Flat plane crank V8s are something unique, though they came before the crossplane crank V8.
Honda would most certainly not use a transverse 90 degree V8. Volvo uses a transverse, unique, 60 degree V8 in the XC90, S80.
So rear drive with a V8, like the Hyundai Genesis?
Honda should upgrade other things first, like their transmissions. (how about a 7 speed auto like Nissan/Infiniti)
'advance vtec' is nothing but vaporware, what is it/where is it.
Cylinder deactivation is a stopgap to make up for old transmissions (See GM with their 4L60, Chrysler with their 545rfe, Honda 5 speed)
Hopefully Honda would design a unique flat plane crank V8. Then they could have the integral exhaust manifold serve two adjacent cylinders, better than 4:1
http://hondanews.com/media_storage/JPG/09fit_pt_11.jpg
Honda really has 'efficient' I4s.
Toyota has Valvematic on two ZR engines now
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_ZR_engine
maybe they will fit it to the 1.6 liter next.
and I wonder when Honda will put direct injection into something like the Civic hybrid or Insight sedan?