Acura won't get into horsepower war, will focus on efficiency
In typical Honda fashion, its premium Acura division will take a different path and has decided not to get sucked into a power race with its rivals. We already knew Acura had shelved plans for a larger V8 engine and a rear wheel drive platform. Product planning manager John Watts told Automotive News that the brand will instead focus on doing what needs to happen to meet the 2016 fuel economy standards which will be "tough."
Acura's decision seems to run counter to some competitors such as BMW that are introducing new hybrid systems paired with even more powerful V8 engines. American Honda has not been specific about how it plans to meet the new regulations, but with plans to introduce diesel engines in the U.S. market also shelved, hybrid seems the likely path. Honda has acknowledged developing a next-generation hybrid system which will be applicable to larger vehicles. Weight reductions and technologies like direct injection and more turbocharging will likely play a part as well.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt 12:49PM (8/18/2009)
Acura has been on a downward spiral as of late, with all the angular design cues. They need to turn that ship around fast if they want to survive.
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contact 1:01PM (8/18/2009)
I'd like to see honda/acura engage in a torque war for a change. If honda built an Accord diesel I'd own 2. Honda reliability and diesel mileage and torque?? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Horsepower is nothing but an American selling tool from the 60's. I wish that trend would go away.
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nrb 1:13PM (8/18/2009)
Acura is already in the HP war. 300hp is a lot of power for a mid-size. Are they going to reduce the HP now?
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MikeW 2:35PM (8/18/2009)
They won't get into the horsepower war because they will lose.
The G37 already has a 7 speed auto & 10% more power.
We will see if Honda puts the 6 speed auto into the TL for 2010.
How about direct injection & variable valve timing?
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snark mcgee 4:52PM (8/18/2009)
um, Honda invented variable valve timing.
MikeW 5:33PM (8/18/2009)
Honda has a camshaft profile switching system-VTEC.
Variable valve timing means camshaft phasing.
http://www.mechadyne-int.com/vva-reference/papers/the-impact-of-variable-valve-actuation-on-engine-performance-and-emissions.pdf
That is not camshaft phasing. Honda doesn't have any V6s with variable valve timing, or with a DOC cylinder head, or a timing chain.
nrb 5:42PM (8/18/2009)
snark, if one believes wikipedia:
Variable valve timing was first used on steam engines in the 1800's.
Aircraft used it in the 1920s.
The first automotive patent went to Fiat in the 1960's. The second to GM in 1975.
Alfa Romeo was the first to actually put it into production in 1980.
Sometime after all the above, Honda got involved, as did Nissan. Honda far from invented variable valve timing.
Adam 3:01PM (8/18/2009)
Damnit Honda, I don't want a hybrid, I want a diesel!!! Please don't make me buy a Volkswagen when its time to replace our Accord or our Civic.
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Level 4:24PM (8/18/2009)
They wont get into a HP war because they cant compete in the big leagues of the AMG's, M's, RS's and the V's lol...Their new NSX has been delayed because it can't beat a Nissan GT-R that's why they moved to efficiency, they cant event beat a Nissan for crying out loud lol....Face it Honda has no racing pedigree even leaving F1 because they just can't keep up...Don't have RWD cars, They killed the S2000 and left with no real sports cars, they use terms like AWD to hide that their cars are fwd bias lol..Don't get me wrong they make good cars but are not performance oriented...
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Stars Fan 12:18AM (8/19/2009)
Wow seems like you know all the answers.
Level 3:01PM (8/19/2009)
You must be blind if you haven't looked at their track record...Don't worry I got you...
alfaBAT9 6:09PM (8/18/2009)
This isn't really big news is it? I think it'd be a bigger shock if Honda DID enter the HP war with the big guns, because it would completely go against everything we know Honda to be – simple, eco friendly transportation for the common man. I say, bring on hybrids (diesels too!), it's way more in keeping with the Honda lineage.
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deborah.faith 3:05AM (8/19/2009)
@MikeW Honda/Acura does too have V6s with variable valve timing.
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MikeW 1:16PM (8/19/2009)
No they do not.
Show me their camshaft phasers...They don't have any!
They only have single camshaft per cylinder head V6s. (and timing belts)
They have VTEC, camshaft switching-That is a nice system to have, after you have variable valve timing, then direct injection (See audi's 3.2 & 2.8 V6s. variable intake valve timing, direct injection, and now audi Valvelift system)
In the new ZDX, if you never rev the engine above 4800rpm, you have a fixed valvetrain (basically the same as Chrysler's 3.5/4.0, except Chrysler has hydraulic valve clearance compensation)
The new exhaust VTEC is interesting, but you only get 10% more lift.
Honda still relies on eEGR (external exhaust gas recirculation) which, as a primary mechanism for emissions reduction/mileage increase, is obsolete.
iEGR via VVT is much better (see PDF)
BMW's valvetronic, Nissan's VVEL, Toyota's valvematic are far more useful than VTEC. What does Honda have in that category of systems? aVTEC-vaporware.
Accazda3 hatch 9:18PM (8/19/2009)
Effficiency...
With the Pilot, ZDX, MDX, the fatter Accord.....
How exactly is this going to happen..
Oh thats right.. more weight saving motors.. not vehicles.. DUH!
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Dave 3:44AM (8/20/2009)
Honda has traditionally been a great engineering firm. I don't know if the amount of time they have thrown into hybrids is the reason, but their motor tech is a fair amount behind the Germans and not really ahead of the newer American designs either.
Assuming they have the resources, I think that Honda will be producing some turbocharged, direct injected, double clutched cars in the near future. They don't seem to be diesel fans.
I know a lot of us think that diesel is the future but keep in mind that a HUGE portion of the European market is already diesel. If 25% of the US market were to go diesel prices would SKYROCKET. If that happens, the price/mpg relationship that makes diesel seem better than gasoline will go away in 6 months of price increases.
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Jerry 12:37PM (8/20/2009)
Acura is a fabulous car. Lots of value, resale and dependability. They however are a company looking for it's soul.
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