08/25/2007, 9:58 PM

Acura News

Acura: we want to rival Bentley, Maybach

Critics of Honda’s Acura division have long said its front-wheel-drive-dominated model range and lack of V8 power prevent it from truly rivaling Lexus, BMW and Mercedes. But according to a top company executive, the brand has even more premium marquees in its sights: Bentley and Maybach.

“We want to rival Bentley and Maybach in performance and design,” Dave Marek, chief designer for Honda R&D Americas told industry trade publication Automotive News in an interview.

Its unclear how Acura plans to move toward this goal, especially with a product roadmap devoid of any ultra-premium offerings, but it’s clear the company hopes to sharpen its image considerably in the coming years.

So far, the most premium Acura in the pipeline is the next-generation NSX, which could end up as a front- or mid-engine sports car with either V8 or V10 power. Based loosely on the Advanced Sports Car Concept, details of the new NSX largely remain a mystery. Most recently, CEO Takeo Fukui said the car has been delayed.

And even with the new NSX on its way, it remains to be seen how the company could possibly draw parallels with either Bentley or Maybach.

 
 

08/25, 10:18 PM

posted by:

Deanster

I don’t know if we’re all speaking the same language here, but I believe it’s a quite the leap from the RL to the Maybach.

08/25, 10:18 PM

posted by:

obhatti

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! As much as I love you Acura, dream on! Honda would have to make a totally new division to compete with those names…… saying “I own an Acura” just does NOT bring high-end luxury to mind.

08/25, 10:18 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Well they have the technology (VTEC first in dash navi SH AWD etc ) but they do need to step it up with a V8 and V10. They have the proven reliability and build quality so with all those factors they can achieve that goal. They should set their sites on BMW & MB first then worry about Bentley.

They dont really need or want to mess with Rear Drive bc rear drive bc depending on where you live is a bastard when it rains or snows. They should make all the cars SH- AWD
They do need a V8 engine as an option in the RL and maybe even in the top selling MDX. They should also go into the LS460 territory with a larger super luxo vehicle call it the HL or XL since letters are popular with cars nowadays

08/25, 10:22 PM

posted by:

BMan1113VR

What the hell is he smoking?

08/25, 10:26 PM

posted by:

Blakkarr

Aim high or go home. But…

Still how about actually playing even with your neighbors before going all the way up town. If Toyota, by way of LEXUS, said we want to go toe to toe with Maybach and Bentley thw world would take note. But Honda, by way of Acura?

Try competing with BMW, Infiniti, and Cadillac, first? They seem more your speed and more obtainable right now.

08/25, 11:27 PM

posted by:

frankhoffy

Just don’t price me out of a TL

08/25, 11:34 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

The auto pecking order:

BMW/Mercedes/Audi then Acura/Infiniti/Lexus

The Japanese car companies have to go through the Germans first then worry about the boutique super luxo brands like Bentley and Maybach

Crabillac has to go through the Japs first then worry about the Germans.

I love the new CTS but its gonna take more than that for then to get on top.

08/26, 12:06 AM

posted by:

sunshine1810

Honda/Acura thinks it can compete with Bentley and Maybach. They can’t even compete with Lexus and Infiniti. Honda which makes some of the ugliest cars the world has to offer cannot compete with luxury marques such as Bentley. I know Acura is a premium based company under Honda but I think Hyundai has a better chance of becoming a Bentley competitor.

08/26, 12:33 AM

posted by:

Brendino

Maybe they’ll step up and build something like the Excelero. That’d be so rad.

I guess it’s good to aim high…But they’re just starting to pull out of their entry-level lux image into something more in the realm of Lexus and BMW. They’ll have a long road ahead.

08/26, 1:04 AM

posted by:

Vdub

HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAH….HA!

08/26, 1:08 AM

posted by:

Got Handling?

and I want a 70-foot yacht, a pad on the Riviera and a 250 GT SWB - but back in the real world…

08/26, 1:25 AM

posted by:

Cyclone of Red

I would laugh at this too….if it wasn’t for the NSX. By the time they retired the NSX it was stale bread, but when it first came out in 1990, it was one of the most technologically advanced cars in its class. It was built to compete in the ’supercar’ class, and, at least in the begining, it could indeed compete (and win) against Ferrari. If Honda had bothered to update it at all over its 15 year life span, it probably would still be a competitor today.

As one of my profs in college said, the Japanese are the worlds greatest copycats. They don’t come up with many original ideas, but what they do is take existing ideas and make them better. If Acura says they are going to compete with Maybach and Bentley, I expect we will see a very impressive concept car in the next few years.

If you’re still skeptical, just remember: If nothing else, Ford is not their mother company, so you know they can’t step in and screw it up.

08/26, 1:30 AM

posted by:

Got Handling?

The NSX was great, a real eye-opener and still rouses my nether regions, but I doubt it cost Ferrari a single lost sale - Porcshe on the other hand definitely took notice. The NSX encroached on their practical, capable performance car territory, but it never got into Ferrari’s realm where sales are lead by the heart, not the head.

08/26, 1:32 AM

posted by:

55amg

You want to, but u cant. Enough said

08/26, 1:55 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

As one of my profs in college said, the Japanese are the worlds greatest copycats.
Cyclone of Red went to community college or maybe Devry obviously

08/26, 1:55 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Vdub drive a Phaeton Nuff said

08/26, 2:11 AM

posted by:

Got Handling?

“maybe Devry obviously” - What a pity he couldn’t have attended a more illustrious institution where he might have acquired your mastery of the English language.

08/26, 3:16 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Yea its a pity that you cant say anything car related when you are on a car web site.

08/26, 3:17 AM

posted by:

Cyclone of Red

Oh, 1115…you just saved me. I thought I would have to stoop to joining a Dungeons and Dragons fan club or some other juvenile online collective to be randomly insulted on a message board.

08/26, 3:34 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Sorry buddy but if you went to a college where your professor said such BS then you need to be insulted. I hope he told you that after class.
To the illustrious Got Handling use something like “the ubiquitous melancholy” in your next post if you want to impress me
Seriously back to the subject.
If Acura is talking about rivaling Bentley and Maybach then they have some serious work to do.
The NSX is a good start but it has to be great and the other products like the new RL have to be just as great. They should bump the TL up to compete with the GS/5 series and make the RL larger and have a V8 option so it can go head to head with the LS460/7 series.

08/26, 4:28 AM

posted by:

Got Handling?

Ah 115, its a pity you can’t work the scroll button to avoid making an arse of yourself.
.
p.s. I’ve tried and tried to hink of ways to impress you, really I have, but I just can’t imagine how the phrase “the ubiquitous melancholy” could be used in a car-related context.

08/26, 5:57 AM

posted by:

Don

I’m a huge Acura fan but this sounds ridiculous. Focus on getting V8s and possibly RWD.

08/26, 9:25 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Got Handling?: Exactly.
There is always going to be an arse on the board who corrects spelling and grammar to make themselves feel better. Don’t worry about it. Just stick to the topic

08/26, 11:21 AM

posted by:

Cire

I know that you should always aim high with your goals and ambitions, but I think this would be quite a stretch for Acura. If Acura wants to try to target a German rival, then Audi would be a better fit. Before they even begin to target Audi, they must elevate their status above near luxury wannabe. I do believe they can reach Audi, but they must inject some vision and passion into their designs.

I look at the Japanese/German comparison this way:
* Lexus targets Mercedes Benz
* Infiniti targets BMW
* Acura targets Audi

08/26, 11:49 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Cire: I dont think that it would be a stretch for HoMoCo. They are first Japanese co to offer a luxury car. Acura was out in 86 when Infiniti and Lexus were out in 89. They are definetely not “near luxury wannabe’s” They are the real deal. Their cars have more of a sporting and technology aspect compared to Infiniti and Lexus. Audi’s are competition to the other Germans but if I were to get a German car it would be a BMW. BMW has the 3 series which everyone wants a piece of. Even MB copied them with the S class
Acura should stop using 4 cylinder engines. Infiniti canned the G20 and I don’t think Lexus ever had a 4 cylinder. They should just use 6, 8 and 10 cylinders. That would be a nice start

08/26, 11:54 AM

posted by:

Cyclone of Red

1115, how is he wrong? What have the Japanese invented in the last two centuries? Not much. But look at what they produce. Their electronics are some of the best on the planet, and as far as reliablity and practicality, their cars are way ahead and have been for many years now. All I was trying to say is that I believe the Japanese are fully capable of producing a super luxury car if that is what they have set their mind to. Get off the PC bandwagon and use your head.

Oh…and I’m sure this will be the icing on the cake for you: the prof. that made this outrageous and racist comment was my Japanese language prof….who was….Japanese.

Lastly, I must inquire as to whether the revelations of this post have caused you to fully realize your shortsightedness and unwonted hast in posting an insult, thereby leaving you in a state of “ubiquitous melancholy”

08/26, 12:03 PM

posted by:

AMGoff

Meanwhile I’d like to rival Ron Jeremy in shlong-size… ain’t gonna happen.

08/26, 12:05 PM

posted by:

Deanster

To Tripleonefive, Got Handling, and Cyclone of Red. Either you’re all new here or blind.

First we talk cars, then we insult each other. That’s how it goes.

Incidentally, whoever made the Hyundai comment was dead on. Hyundai is the only car company that’s showing real innovation from SE Asia. Out of NOWHERE, they’ve started developing relatively high output V6s and are now about to unveil the Genesis, > 300 hp luxo-sedan. And they’re talking about dropping a V8 in the new Tiburon.

In 5 years they’ll have a V10, and in 10 a V12 with a super-luxocruiser that might rival Benz’s S-class. They’re not xxxxing around. Meanwhile, Acura drops the old RL design and opts for something that resembles a gussied-up Accord sedan. You can’t take on high-end sedans with cars that look like Japanese zoomy ricers. You need to emulate the big, squarish RR designs.

08/26, 12:12 PM

posted by:

Madcapp

Interesting to see how Honda has shot themselves in the foot by belligerently adhering to FWD platforms with no more than 6 cylinders. Of course Honda can make a Bentley level car, they have more than enough experience at building good cars and plenty of engineering talent. The problem is convincing people to pay 6 figures for a car with an Acura badge.

Same problem exists with the VW Phaeton in the USA. Maybe the same solution exists…sell an über Acura outside of the USA, where people are smarter and willing to look past the badge and honestly evaluate the car in front of them. I could put a Mercedes-Benz hood ornament on a plie of horse **** and sell it for $50,000 in the USA because for the most part, brand image is more important to most people than how good the car really is.

08/26, 12:20 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

You mentioned that your professor said they were copycats and you laughed at the idea of Honda making a car to compete with Bentley and Maybach which is silly considering their track record. The car company at hand Honda Motor Corp (HoMoCo) has the ability to make a super luxury car without copying anyone. They are the first with a luxo division and they took a chance and succeeded. Nissan and Toyota watched and then followed 3 years later so that makes Honda the innovators not the copiers

In a desparate attempt to solidify your argument your professor is now Japanese. I don’t buy it. I’m glad you were able to work “ubiquitous melancholy” in a sentence. Do you feel satisfied ?

08/26, 1:04 PM

posted by:

1c3d0g

Uhm, OK. :-| As much as I like Honda, they still have a long way to go before even matching BMW/Mercedes-Benz, let alone Bentley/Maybach etc. “Setting sights” on big name luxury brands is good, but you gotta back that statement up with truly amazing vehicles. We’ll see in a few years if their commitments come to fruition.

08/26, 1:10 PM

posted by:

gitcypher

Dammit Madcapp!
I knew this S550 smelled a little funny.

In all seriousness, I agree that is one hell of a step for Honda consider going up against the likes of Bentley… at this stage. Any of you guys remeber the article not too long ago when Hyundai was gunning for BMW? Some showed high hopes; others laughed. But, as Deanster stated, they made plans to drop a V8 in a RWD(?) Tiburon and produce a 300+ HP Genesis. That, relatively speaking, set them well on ther way.

I think if Honda is truely committed to this statement, they will be putting out some serious products to back it up. However, I hope this statement wasn’t just retaliatory to their dwindling presence… because with how the market stands now, I would actively consider a Sontata (for instance) over an Accord. Best of luck to you, Honda, but don’t bite off more than you can chew.

08/26, 1:13 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Madcap: You have a point BUT what you are forgetting is that VW doesnt have the reliability of Honda and they are not a premium brand.
I dont know why they even made the Phaeton when they have Audi and own Bentley
Acura wouldnt have such a hard time selling a 100k plus vehicle. Lexus does it with the LS600. They have to take the proper steps like I mentioned earlier.
Im looking out for that Hyundai Genesis too, Dean

08/26, 3:06 PM

posted by:

LamborghiniZ

You guys are taking his comment way too seriously, and far too literally. The true translation of what he said is “We want to make high quality, premium products that are considered superior to our competitors’, for the same price as our competitors”. I for one don’t think he meant that Acura will produce a $300,000 car, that’s not what the man is saying at all. So all of you dumbass, chicken**** morons going on and on about how Acura is crazy, or putting innumerable “haha”’s, should start using the few brain cells you have to interpret things correctly. Dip****s.

08/26, 3:19 PM

posted by:

mbgg099

tripleonefive said: “BMW has the 3 series which everyone wants a piece of. Even MB copied them with the S class”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA please don’t make me laugh!! The 3 series is great, but it’s the worst desgin BMW has ever had on a 3 series, it can’t even stand up to the impressive new C-Class, how can you say the best S-Class in history (epitome of luxury worldwide), is a copy of the worst 3 series (a common car, almost anyone can have) ever?
WOW, impressed as I see how people can be so stupid!

08/26, 3:33 PM

posted by:

RobCali

Not gonna happen, Acura.

08/26, 3:48 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

It was two separate sentences. I said MB copied “them”. Them meaning BMW not “it” which would have refered to the 3 series.
MB copied the 7 series when designing the interior of the S class
I forget people dont know how to read. WOW what a jackass! Jackass meaning you !

08/26, 6:28 PM

posted by:

Commodore

Lol this is funny. But Acura does need to find a way to differentiate itself from Honda who are grabbing Acura designs and putting them in cars like the new Accord - I suppose it’s good for Honda, but that will take away Acura sales. Bigger engines, RWD, etc. is the one to become better at what your supposed to be doing. Leave the FWD, fuel-efficient four banger, mainstream, environmental bull**** to Honda

08/26, 7:12 PM

posted by:

mbgg099

Well then learn to write, plus BMW has copied MB lots of times throughout history.

08/26, 7:44 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Learn to read and distinguish words before overreacting.
I really don’t give a **** about MB or BMW unless it relates to the Acura discussion. Name something that BMW has copied from MB.
Take your time and look on Wikipedia if you have to.

08/26, 9:04 PM

posted by:

kool_aje

Now I come to understand what “the Power of Dream” means…

08/26, 9:05 PM

posted by:

masteryoda83

Who the **** does honda think they are. They cant even make a legitimate luxury car let alone compete with a company like Bentley or Maybach. Consider the customers in that demographic. If i had my choice of buy 22 honda civics or 1 maybach….um give me the ****ing maybach.

08/26, 10:57 PM

posted by:

Madcapp

Why is this forum full of people commenting who don’t know jack **** about cars? Are you even old enough to remember how revolutionary the NSX was in the sports car segment when it was introduced 18 model years ago? Were you even alive in 1990? Think about that real hard, the NSX achievement was 18 years ago. Hear me now, I’m no fan of Japanese cars in general, and any ricer in the USA with Japenese character tatoos deserves to be hung up by his nutsack. That being said, Honda absolutely can build a Bentley level car. Bentley and Rolls have only been living up to their image since they were bought by Volkswagen and BMW anyway.

08/26, 11:18 PM

posted by:

Veda

Design-wise if they really want to go the ultra luxury path with the sloping lines and all it will be quite a departure from the traditional conservative techno Acura look but it’s easy to do. Now their claim about performance will require some new engineering on Honda’s part. A V8 and even a V10 will be necessary. Talks are talks, given Honda’s slow response to their claims it’ll be after 2010 before we see any change.

08/26, 11:43 PM

posted by:

AMGoff

madcapp… you’re absolutely correct… the nsx was an eye opener when it was introduced… and yes I was around long before that. The key point is - 1990 and they’ve let the thing languish for 18 years with only a mild refresh. but the nsx is nothing close to being a luxury car, not even close, it’s a sports car and no one ever said they can’t make a sports car. the point is they haven’t even figured out the luxury car and they want to go after the uber-lux market? believe me, I absolutely hate Lexus’ but they put Acura to shame. they haven’t even figured out that someone shopping for a luxury car doesn’t want some stinking V6 under the hood. their interior quality is nothing write home about and I’ve yet to see an Acura top an awards list. this same company who wants to take on bentley is the same company who puts out the rsx - a little hatchback that doesn’t even come with leather seats as standard. the whole point of this is they need to figure out the lux market first before they even think of tackling anything beyond that.

08/27, 12:18 AM

posted by:

Deanster

Guys, no one is suggesting that Acura doesn’t have the knowhow to build a car that is the technological equivalent of a Bentley or MAybach. That’s obvious. In fact, an XBOX 360 or PS3 has more high-tech in it than both of those cars put together. After all, what do you think auto technology really is? A bunch of algorhythms that control engine and brake characteristics, plus a snazzy knob-controlled interface in the interior.

The point argued here is that Bentley and Maybach are not just high end vehicles with immense luxury and technology - that’s achievable by a 7-series or an S600 - it’s the amalgamation of shocking design, immense size, exorbitant pricing, and most importantly, some form of remote heritage that adds immeasurable class to the effort.

Acura is not old enough to build a Bentley or Maybach equivalent. Cadillac, as ironic as this may sound, IS capable of producing the equivalent, because tech, size, and design can be bought. History cannot.

08/27, 12:21 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

I will agree and say that some people don’t know **** about cars.
The RSX was canceled last year and this statement was made yesterday.
Also, they don’t know the RL has gotten awards for being
One of the 10 best luxury cars in C & D
One of the 10 best engines in Wards.
Best tech car in CNET along with numerous five star safety awards. People just get on here and talk **** Thats the problem with these boards

08/27, 2:50 AM

posted by:

Got Handling?

Ah Deanster, I’m not new here, I’m an old hand - unlike the ones that bring you to the heights of pleasure once school is out. How many dips in your Haribo bag do the 11-year-olds need for a good hand-job these days?

08/27, 7:09 AM

posted by:

jJayC08

Deanster pretty must said the just of what I would have said about automotive history.

These Japanese companies don’t, and never will have the history that Rolls Royce, Ferrari or Maybach have. They haven’t pioneered the automotive world, or created vehicles that will be remembered (and last) forever.

It’s unfortunate that the car industry is going the way it’s been going for the past 30 years. I remember my grandfather saying that all cars now look the same, bland rolling pieces of sheet metal.
I understand though that companies have to put out these vehicles by the millions to profit. They seem to have gotten themselves caught in a web, especially the Big Three.

Cadillac could rival Bentley and Rolls Royce. I’d really like to see them actually do that too! But for now, Cadillac is on the right track.

08/27, 7:22 AM

posted by:

Mclaren19p

Why don’t they stick to aiming at BMW and Mercedes? This is waaaay too big a jump and this will alienate their customers and noone will by them at that price range because they are unknown. Even Maybach is struggling a bit because their history isn’t well known. I agree they should make rear wheel drive but as for Bentley and Maybach, forget it. Build some credibility at a lower, more manageable level first, then way later talk about reaching Bentley.

08/27, 7:40 AM

posted by:

A4

i read an article about how a fiat hatchback could beat a 348 ferrari in acceleration when they came out, so i no longer find that a just comparison for the nsx.

08/27, 8:54 AM

posted by:

RicardoHead

How tough can it be to rival Bentley and Maybach?

Just build boring ugly stodgy shìt vehicles of questionable performance and reliability and you’re there. Chrysler has been rivalling them for years now.

08/27, 9:04 AM

posted by:

SkiD666

Acura doesn’t have the cachet to produce an ultra luxury car. Some people might also argue that Acura can’t make luxury vehicles either (adding leather and navigation to a Honda does not make a luxury car, they need to have unique platforms).

Honda/Acura is great at creating technology and acronyms, but a real luxury car needs to have a V8(or bigger) and RWD.

08/27, 10:34 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Ricardo just likes to type.
The RL is not just an Accord with leather and navi. Please be original. GM Chrysler and Ford do that bs
RWD isn’t necessary. Acura will and should stick with SH AWD (thinking outside the box) but I do agree that a V8 is absolutely necessary.
The RL should also grow in size or they should make a larger car above it. They can call it
FL
HL
KL
JL
NL
PL
QL
VL
XL
ZL

I’m sure they can think of something Conquer the Germans and in 7-10 years go after the high end super luxury vehicles

08/27, 10:43 AM

posted by:

RicardoHead

In all honesty, 1115, I don’t love to type. I genuinely find nothing particularly interesting about Bentleys or Maybachs other than from a business standpoint it fascinates me that they can get people to for out major cabbage to plug their inferiority complexes by buying generally ugly uninteresting vehicles of questionable long term quality (unless those people fork out a ton more for long term maintenance).

Plugging inferiorty complexes is basically all that the “luxury goods” world is about. People need to think they are superior by buying something not intrinsically worth it’s price. There is nothing about a Bently or Maybach from a performance or luxury standpoint that can’t be had for a load less money except as Deanster said “history.” Fact is in the modern world history doesn’t mean jack, really, and credit can be had. Hell - even my blue-collar electrician brother is buying a Bentley so it has nothing to do with status.

08/27, 11:50 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Ricardo Head you have some good points
Bentley not being about class anymore but thats the world we live in is all about who has the cash. I will say they are pretty common around here (I live in NY) but they are still hand made unlike other cars.

If your bro is blue collar and has the money to buy a Bentley then so be it. Usually blue collar people are wiser with their money but if he wants one he should get one. They are not that expensive 166k-220k compared to the MayBach which is 400k. No I cant afford either but someone making 6 figures and has his own business can afford one and probably write it off somehow.

Im defending Acura on this post but it will be an uphill struggle for them to compete. I just didn’t agree with your statement about Chrysler rivaling Maybach and Bentley. There is no proof of that Chrysler can’t even rival Acura.

The circle starts again.

08/27, 12:27 PM

posted by:

shumpy

lol keep living in the dream world.

NSX was always a second class citizen of pseudo performance..

the TL is a transvers engined FWD turd in a world of RWD elegance and performance.

he RL is long in the TOOTH an was overpriced 3 years ago, nevermind equivalently now.

these guys offer an ACURA civic - calld the CSX, in Canada and want to be mentioned in the same breath as the ultraluxurious..

lmao.. they can’t hold a candle to a BMW 3 series.. let alone a lexus LS, this is a 10 year plan anyway.. lol..

08/27, 12:59 PM

posted by:

AMGoff

they are still the company that made the RSX regardless of whether it was cancelled… “one of the ten best” does not count as “the best,” a Ford gets five star safety ratings… and cnet????? cause I want a bunch of computer people telling me about cars. i’ve been around the block a lot more times than you have there scooter. you go around blasting R-Head about his accord statement… shows how much you really know. acura and bentley DO NOT belong in the same sentence unless that sentence is “that bentley sure is a hell of a lot nicer than that ****ing acura.” Acura doesn’t even belong in the same league as Lexus, and I hate Toyota with every fiber of my being. Christ… Volvo makes a better luxury car than Acura and they’re not even supposed to make luxury cars. If Toyota came out with this statement about Lexus it would still be laughable but even they’d have a better shot in hell than Acura. Deanster is spot on… out of every car maker Cadillac could give them a run for their money and the Sixteen concept is proof positive of that. for that matter acura doesn’t even belong in the same sentence as cadillac… have you been in the new cadillacs? all i hear is a lot of spouting off from some adolescent about a two-bit honda with yes… leather and a nav system.

08/27, 1:07 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

I can’t wait for that new Maybach Accord.

Oh, that’s right maybach makes REAL LUXURY CARS!

08/27, 1:18 PM

posted by:

buenos

10 or fifteen years ago, no one thought that Hyundai would be competing with Honda, Toyota, or even GM or Ford for that matter. I don’t think it is wise to sell ANY automaker short.

08/27, 1:33 PM

posted by:

global_lightning

GM Management Board, 1968:
“Hey boss, Today I saw the darnest thing. Japanese cars! Do you think they’re possible competition?”
“Ha! Jap cars? Who’ll ever buy those? They can make a knock-off transistor radio, but a car??? They’ll fall apart 5 miles from the dealer. And they’re so small, for little Asian people, plus they’re funny-lookin’.”
“Ya boss, you’re right. Let’s go watch the Lions game on our new RCA TV…”

Mercedes Benz Management Board, 2007:
“Dr Z., I just read the funniest report about Acura (hah!) moving up against Maybach…”

08/27, 1:38 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

obhatti: Saying “I own an A–a” is idiotese for “I paid BMW money for a honda.”

1115: Honda’s faux-luxury division should start by having (RWD or AWD) dedicated models. But if they did that, maybe it would’t be a faux-luxury division

GS/5-Series? Toyota has a 5-Series? BMW should look into legal action

“hey are first Japanese co to offer a luxury car?” really? When does it come out? the closest thing ther has been to a japanese luxury car was the first Mitsubishi Diamante.

The REAL auto pecking order: Maybach/Bently, Rolls BMW MBZ, Caddy, AUdi, Jag, Lincoln, Buick, Volvo, VW, Datsun, Loyota, Aonda

“VW doesnt have the reliability of Honda” and I’m sure VW is glad about that!
“There is no proof of that Chrysler can’t even rival A—a. If they did, they’d go out of business!

The RL is not just an Accord with leather and navi.
Yes, it is, and there’s no sense asking people to “Please be original,” as long as that remains the case.
GM Chrysler and Ford do that bs. yeah, but nobody sold the topaz for $10k more than a tempo

“Of course Honda can make a Bentley level car.” I say anything is possible, but that wouldn’t be my expectation

blakkar, BMW, I——i, and Cadillac are not really direct compettitors, and honda has as much chance of competing with them as rene Russo does of winning the vezina trophy!

sunshine: fairly accurate

brendin: MBZ and toyota’s faux-luxury division are in different “realms.”

Cyclone: the NSX wasn’t a suppercar, but it was notable. JDM, anyway. For my money, I’d take the 300ZX or the 300GT VR-4 of the same era

Cire: Honda has no german rivals

AMGoff: That was funny as hell!

Shumpy: Pure truth, but the NSX was well placed within its group of rivals. Better than the Supra of the day

08/27, 1:39 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

AMGoff: “A—a” doesn’t even belong in the same sentance as Dodge.

08/27, 1:42 PM

posted by:

Renton

If you have raced in Formula 1 as long as they have, you can pretty much do anything you set your mind to.

Do not underestimate Honda.

However that is a tough market to crack as sooo many folks in that bracket want status names as much as they want actual substance.

08/27, 2:12 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

global_lightning and Buenos are on the money. JJT amg were on that Gm board back in 68

08/27, 2:35 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

I was born in 1969.

08/27, 2:45 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

They should bump the TL up to compete with the GS/5 series and make the RL larger and have a V8 option so it can go head to head with the LS460/7series.

JJT there is a / (slash) in between them which means they are different.

Get back to your board meeting. Don’t laugh at the bottled water idea

08/27, 3:17 PM

posted by:

global_lightning

JJT, It looks like I’ve placed you on the GM Board. I demand my cut of your performance bonuses. :o

08/27, 5:09 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

1115: No, i was woondering why they were on the same line; you’re blithely describing the crown and the 7 series as equals, when they’re not

performance bonuses? if they make money!

08/27, 5:24 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

I’ll use comma’s this time but keep up. They are equals because they are competition. The RL, The M, The E class, The GS and the 5 Series are all competitors. Like I said the Acura is the only one that doesnt offer an eight cylinder option. That is necessary for this segment. They can use the SH AWD instead of RWD

08/27, 7:11 PM

posted by:

Deanster

Well, Got Handling, was that a poorly veiled insult? Haribo bag? You’re really anal retentive. Let it out, little homo, stop stifling it or it might come out of your mouth

08/27, 8:33 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

I love how people get on here and will say anything (w/o proof) to win their argument
Volvo makes a better luxury car then Acura >? Really ? Where is the proof ?
The RL is an Accord ?? Is it really ?
I’ll just go along with everyones crazy statements:
ALL other cars suck and Acura’s can fly! How about that?
At least thats original

08/28, 1:00 AM

posted by:

Got Handling?

Renton, I’m often impressed by Honda, but their return to F1 has been nothing but embarassing, they have been throwing money at it for (10?) years now first with BAR and for the last few years under their own management and despite setting their mind to it in a major way, it has thus far been an almost complete failure, they have only won 1 race!
.
Deanster, Deanster, there was nothing veiled about it, either you’re in denial or you need to work on your reading comprehension. Why don’t you help some of “nephews” with their homework every now and then; you might learn something.

08/28, 9:26 AM

posted by:

Deanster

I’m too busy helping your whoremother, stuffing her beak with meat and whatnot! LOL!

08/28, 12:48 PM

posted by:

AMGoff

meat stuffed beak…. classic!

08/29, 3:55 AM

posted by:

Got Handling?

props for meat-stuffed beak, you big cuddly cum-swillilng paedo you. I’ve missed this place

08/29, 8:57 AM

posted by:

Deanster

thanks

 
 
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