Straightline

All I can say is....
 
IT'S ABOUT TIME. As technologically advanced and value-priced as it is, the current RL has been floundering for years. The prestige that a V8 brings to the model will hopefully elevate it to compete with the Lexus LS's of the world.
 
It's also interesting to note that - of all manufacturers - Hyundai will beat Acura to the V8 Luxury Sedan punch. It's a strange, strange world we live in, eh? =)
 
However, $70k+ might be a tough pill to swallow for a new market entry, though by 2010 maybe not so much.

Seventy grand?? I thought the RL was more of a 5-series fighter than 7-series fighter. Does this mean it is moving up?

I have mixed feelings about this.
 
Sure, the RL should be distinct from the TL, so a V8 and rear drive bias make sense.
 
But Honda/Acura have always been green, and with gas at $111/barrel, does it makes sense to build a V8 now?
 
The Phaeton failed. Maybach is failing. I think both fail because they're not really where their respective makes should be. Should Acura be at the $70k price point?
 
That price is way too high. Look at the Infiniti M - they should try to compete with them. V6 at $40k or so, V8 at $50k. No more than that.
 
And it should be a green V8, with VCM or something.

Acura has recognized the need for a more prestige-oriented flagship sedan, and assuming they execute it well, their stock will rise.

well well well...... it looks like Honda decided to make an 8 cylinder motor. and put it in a flagship $70,000 sedan. That's all well and good, good luck to them, but I forsee a V8/SH-AWD TSX.... i think

This car will still be a 5 Series fighter now only a legit one if this proposed/rumoured design is true. If its not true PLEASE FAX THIS PICTURE AND ARTICLE TO THE ACURA DESIGN CENTER IMMEDIATELY!
 
Im assuming the $70K V8 offering will be a fully loaded V8 model not the base V6 RL so I can excuse the price as most fully loaded V8 competitors are in the same area. A V6 should be on the base car with a price in the lower/mid $40K range.
 
What I dont know is how Acura will position the TL and TSX as both are good sized cars? And will FR trickle down to the TL/TSX cars eventually? I know it wont on the next product cycle as the TSX has already been shown and I already know what the TL will showcase.

Hondacura4, I think the more important question is, will it trickle down to Honda? I'm not sure where it would go, maybe a dedicated mid-sized sport sedan, now that the Accord is so bloated? Maybe even with an I-4 option? And here's hoping the V8 makes it into the truck/SUV's, so they can quit boring/stroking that poor V6 to Death!

looks good, sounds good... its about time, bring it on!

"Hondacura4, I think the more important question is, will it trickle down to Honda? I'm not sure where it would go, maybe a dedicated mid-sized sport sedan, now that the Accord is so bloated? Maybe even with an I-4 option?"
  
Sand, the whole point of Acura offering FR only sedans is to further distance the Acura brand from Honda. Offering a RWD Honda sedan would make no sense. This idea may work for the domestics (non luxury brands) as they have history in making performance RWD V8 sedans/coupes for not a lot of money, Honda doesnt.
  
The Accord isnt as big as everyone says it is. With a sunroof its classed as a midsize vehicle. Without, its classed as a full size. Its not a Lincoln Town Car or 7 Series!
  
"And here's hoping the V8 makes it into the truck/SUV's, so they can quit boring/stroking that poor V6 to Death!"
  
Nothing wrong with extracting the most out of a good engine. Currently there is only the J32/J35 and J37. 3 variations as far as displacement is concerened and about 8 or 9 variations as far as output and tuning are concerened.
  
Nissan and Infiniti do the same thing with the VQ35/37/40, GM does similar things with the Ecotec I4s and LS series V8's so whats the big deal? These days its not economically sensible to have a single drivetrain for one specific vehicle.
  
The only place where I could see a V8 in the Honda lineup would be the Ridgeline but Honda will be adding a i-DTEC V6 clean turbo diesel to Ridge (Odyssey/Pilot as well) in a couple of years so maybe Honda wont see the V8. Honda being Honda I just cant see them having 3 engine choices for the Ridge. Maybe the V8 will be exclusive to the Acura brand or who knows an "Odyssey Si" with a 4.8L 420hp i-VTEC V8 and 6MT? Joke!
  
Acura tells us TOVers (Temple of VTEC members) that the future brings good things like Acura exclusive models and drivetrains. I say its about damn time. Acura also tells us that the goal of becoming a "tier 1" luxury brand should be reached within 4-6 years. Its possible but they will have to execute EVERYTHING correctly.
  
From what I gather the 2009 TSX and TL will be still FWD and offer SH-AWD for the hotter models (Type-S). We wont see a major change with these 2 untill the generation after the 2009 models.
  
The next RL (2010-2011) SHOULD represent where Acura REALLY wants to take the brand as far as performance, styling, drivetrain layout, drivetrain offerings and platforms are concerned.
  
I dont want to get too excited as I dont want to be let down. I am glad that Honda is finally going to let Acura stretch its legs as I know the engineering expertise and potential is there and has always been.

Now that I just read the headline again "Next-Gen Acura RL to get a V8 and RWD-biased SH-AWD" Im a bit worried. Sure Acura could offer the next RL with a rear biased version of the SH-AWD system but it could still be a FWD platform. Audi did the same thing with the RS4.

I haven't revelled in the Acura concept styling lately, but that actually looks really good.
 
I think even Honda needs a V8. This would be the perfect flagship car for Honda and would reduce engine prices for any upcoming NSX (if V8 equipped).
 
I aso think the RL needs to move upscale. The RL and TL are too similar. Make the TSX a 3-series fighter, the TL a 5-series fighter, and the RL a 7-series fighter.

"I also think the RL needs to move upscale. The RL and TL are too similar. Make the TSX a 3-series fighter, the TL a 5-series fighter, and the RL a 7-series fighter."
 
That makes sense.

Estreka - Honda has already officially confirmed the next NSX will have a V10, though that doesn't mean it couldn't be of the same architecture.
 
Though I'm drawing a completely disparate relationship here, doing a bit of quick math with the above displacements yields:
 
4.8L V8: 600cc's/cylinder = 6.0L V10
 
It's a nice, round figure, but considering what Honda normally favors, I would imagine they would want a smaller, higher-reving V10 in a car like the NSX. We'll see by 2010...=)
 
The TL is supposed to be due for a full model change this coming year, so I would expect it to move up in size/features so it can compete more favorably to the A6/5-Series. Of course, the expected TSX change ended up just being a warming over of the previous model, so who knows.

Thank god. This Should have been done what, like 20 years ago.

where can i get info on the 2009 acura tl?
http://www.thecarconnection.com

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Reviews/Luxury_Cars/2009_Acura_RL_Preview.S183.A13876.html