Introducing New Cars: Acura

Showing posts with label Acura. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

New Acura NSX Concept Meets Old in Gran Turismo 5 Video

12:41 PM Hell No comments

Now that was pretty fast. The creators of Sony's wildly successful Gran Turismo racing game series have released a new video that brings to life both the brand-new Acura NSX Concept that was revealed just the other day at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and the original model, which was marketed under the Honda brand name outside North America. Read more »

Acura Presents Redesign 2013 RDX "Prototype", Ditches Turbocharged Four for a V6

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The third Acura prototype to debut at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show today is the 2013 RDX crossover and just like the ILX compact sedan, there's nothing really conceptual about it as what you see here is what you'll get when the redesigned crossover model arrives in dealerships across the country in Spring 2012.

The second generation of Acura's five-passenger crossover has grown in size featuring a longer wheelbase and wider tracks that result in more passenger room, and increased cargo volume.

The styling both inside and out is intentionally more mainstream though Acura's beak-like front grille remains.

Acura Dresses Up the Civic as the New ILX Compact Sedan, goes on Sale this Spring [Video]

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While the NSX Concept is the undisputed star of Acura's booth at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, the Japanese automaker also brought along a more down-to-earth study that is the precursor to the new ILX luxury compact sedan.

With the exception of a few minor cosmetic details such as the bumper trims and the flashy alloy wheels, the ILX is pretty much production ready, which shouldn't surprise anyone given that it's scheduled for launch in North America this spring.

This is the New Acura / Honda NSX Sports Hybrid Concept that will Enter Production by 2015

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Acura has just introduced the NSX Concept at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and these are the first official photos.

The Japanese automaker has shown several concept models over the years for a replacement to the iconic Honda / Acura NSX that was built from 1990 until 2005, but for one reason or the other, none of them managed to reach the production phase

This time, however, Acura says the NSX Concept is the real deal with the production model to debut within the next three years. Interestingly, Acura says that it will developed by an engineering team led by Honda R&D Americas, and manufactured in Ohio, at a yet to be named facility.

Like the original model, the NSX features a mid-mounted naturally aspirated V6 engine but with a twist; Acura's engineers added the firm's Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) hybrid system that utilizes three electric motors.

And the Best-Selling Premium Brand in the U.S. for 2011 is…

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The one thing we knew for sure after the manufacturing disruptions in Japan caused by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami was that Lexus wasn’t going to top the premium segment in the U.S. market for the first time in a decade. In fact, we also knew something else, the two contenders to the throne: BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

What we didn’t know up until Thursday is which of two brands was going to win, since both were caught in a neck-to-neck sales race. Going into December the gap was so small - less than 1,600 cars- that the win could go either way.

2011 U.S. Sales: Detroit's Big 3 and Koreans Report Strong Gains, Honda and Toyota Feel the Pinch

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In the year that just ended, some automakers have a lot to be grateful for while others including Japan's biggest car brands would rather forget due to the Tsunami as well as the Thailand floods that significantly hurt their production lines during 2011.

Starting with the American carmakers, General Motors saw its U.S. sales rise 13.7 percent last year to 2,503,820 units. Chevrolet led the way with 1,775,812 units (+13.4%) followed by GMC at 397,986 (+18.8%), Buick at 177,633 (+14.3%) and Cadillac at 152,389 (+3.7%).

Honda Orders Dealers to Halt Sales of Certain Used Models until Airbag Problem is Solved

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An airbag-related issue has made Honda tell its dealers to stop sales of certain used cars until a recall campaign to fix the defect is carried out.

Honda took the decision in spite of the fact that federal law requires automakers only to stop selling new cars when a recall campaign is issued, as it does not demand the same for used vehicles.

2012 Acura TL Review

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The 2012 Acura TL front view.

I am not a fan of plastic surgery. Too many botched jobs out there reminding us every day that the nose wasn't really that big or other bits weren't really that small. In the case of the 2012 Acura TL, however, I'm prepared to say that sometimes a nose job is really what the patient needed.

In case you don't remember the 2009, 2010 and 2011 TL, here's the "before" picture:

The 2009-2011 Acura TL front view.

If you think it's not so wonderful in pictures, trust me...that's a flattering angle. A change was needed...and now, we have one. The TL is, as it was before 2009, a conventionally handsome sport sedan.

The good news is that overall, the package as a whole has had a chance to jell, too. While not the canyon-carver that the TL with SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) is, the TL holds its own quite nicely. Up front is a 3.5 liter V6 that makes 280 horsepower and it's hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift. There's also four wheel disc brakes, front double-wishbone suspension, a rear multi-link suspension, electric power-assisted rack and pinion steering, and a high-flow sport-tuned exhaust system.

Our tester was the Advance model...a package that includes a blind spot information system, ventilated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels and all-season tires, as well as the Tech Package (navigation, backup camera, AcuraLink communication system with real-time traffic and weather, leather sport seats, push-button ignition, GPS-linked, dual-zone automatic climate control and keyless access with a security system...plus an AM/FM/CD/DVD-Audio/SiriusXM/Hard Disk Drive Dolby Pro Logic II ELS Surround Sound audio system, along with an auxilary jack and USB connection for your personal music player (as astonishing as the demo disc of the DVD Audio system sounds, it's a very nearly dead format, overtaken by the comparatively low-fi iPod).) in the base price of $41,535.

The 2012 Acura TL rear view.

Yes, I said GPS-linked climate control. No, I'm not kidding. Here's Acura's explanation:

The GPS-linked automatic climate control system further enhances occupants' comfort level by tracking the sun's position and intensity. The GPS positioning technology monitors the sun's location relative to the car's position while a sensor on the dash measures the sun's intensity. By knowing which part of the cabin is receiving the sun's rays, the system compensates to keep each side of the cabin at its designated temperature. The system is completely automatic and requires no manual adjustments, regardless of outside conditions.

Wow.

Base price is also bottom line in the case of our tester. Zero options, just the standard $885 destination and handling charge, which made the final tally $42,420. For that, in addition to what we've already mentioned, you get the full complement of airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution, active head restraints, tire pressure monitoring, a power moonroof, LED taillights and fog lamps.

The 2012 Acura TL interior.

Inside? Well, like most Honda products of the past few years, it's a gadget and button fest. But as other manufacturers have chased that particular rabbit, we've had a lot of opportunities to get used to it.

Other no-cost goodies: Driver recognition memory system, power seats (10-way for the driver, 8-way for the front passenger, both heated), HomeLink, Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted controls for audio, phone, cruise and trip computer).

While 280 horsepower isn't epic power for a sport sedan in 2012, it is more than adequate to move the TL with some authority. And there's a bonus...better than typical gas mileage for its class. The EPA says 20 city/29 highway.

Overall, the TL is an attractive package. And more so than last year. Especially from the front.

2012 Acura TL

Base price: $41,535.

As tested: $42,420.

Likes: Balance, handling, a superb (if technically outmoded) audio system, new front styling.

Dislikes: If Honda can clean up the nose of the TL, they have to be able to get the button count in the cockpit down to three dozen or so.

EPA estimates: 20 city/29 highway.

1994 Acura Legend Coupe (TireKicker Time Machine)

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Tyson Hugie's 1994 Acura Legend Coupe. Not your typical 18-year old car.

Confession: I've been neglecting the TireKicker Time Machine feature. Partly because it's 17 million degrees in Phoenix this summer but also because I'm looking for the exceptional.

Turns out I found it in the summer of 2009...and just needed reminding.

The picture above is of a 1994 Acura Legend 6-Speed Coupe belonging to a young man named Tyson Hugie. And it's a recent photo.

Tyson Hugie, Michael Hagerty and Tyson's 1994 Acura Legend Coupe in 2009.

That's us, a little over two years ago, meeting for the first time when I was doing a story for television on people who keep their cars for ~~100,000~~ 200,000 miles or more. Tyson more than qualified...his Legend had 378,000 miles..and was not only running...but virtually flawless. That was our only meeting. We've stayed in sporadic touch by e-mail since.

Rear view of Tyson Hugie's 1994 Acura Legend Coupe.

Tyson's a huge believer in maintenance. Anything that breaks gets fixed fast, and there's so much attention to upkeep that nothing much breaks.

And if you think he keeps it nice by not driving it much...remember that mileage? 378,000 two summers ago? Here's the odometer from this past weekend:

Tyson's 1994 Acura Legend Coupe odometer reading as of this weekend.

That's right...now closing in on half a million miles. Tyson has driven 113,774 miles in 26 months. That's 4,375 miles a month. Testing two cars a week, I do maybe 2,000...2,400 tops. How's he do it?

He drives places. Interesting, faraway places:

Tyson and the 1994 Acura Legend at the Alaskan border.

There are a lot of interesting adventures and insights wrapped up in getting a car to the 500,000 mile mark...and Tyson tells them best in his own blog devoted to getting there: DriveToFive (Legendary Quest for 500,000 Miles). He'll hit that milestone soon at this rate...so bookmark it now and start enjoying the ride.

2012 Acura TSX Special Edition

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Acura has announced plans to introduce the 2012 TSX Special Edition at the Orange County International Auto Show on September 22nd.

The 2012 Acura TSX Special Edition Package adds a new front spoiler, a new rear bumper fascia, side sills and an ‘Special Edition’ badge on the trunklid. It also adds 17×7.5-inch, 5-spoke aluminum wheels with dark gray background.

The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine remains, producing 201 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. Both manual and automatic transmissions are offered.

Inside, Acura has pumped up the interior with black suede inserts on the seats that's contrasted by red stitching. More of the red color makes its way to the steering wheel and shift knob, as well as the lighting of the gauges, footwell and cabin. That footwell area also see the addition of aluminum pedal covers.

Press Release

Acura Announces Special Edition Model for TSX Sports Sedan

Exterior and Interior Upgrades Make for an Even Sportier TSX

08/29/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.

Continuing the celebration of its 25th anniversary, Acura today announced the availability of a new version of the popular TSX sports sedan for the 2012 model year. Designed to evoke the fun-to-drive 4-cylinder Acuras of the past, the TSX Special Edition will add even more sportiness to the TSX lineup thanks to numerous exterior and interior upgrades for Acura's entry-level sedan.

"The Acura TSX has long been known for its high-revving 4-cylinder engines and sporty driving nature," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "With the new Special Edition, the TSX becomes even more youthful and sporty in character, furthering its appeal to performance-minded buyers."

The 2012 TSX Special Edition package consists of numerous upgrades to the exterior including a more aggressive front spoiler, a new rear bumper fascia, unique side sills and an exclusive "Special Edition" badge on the trunklid. Finally, the TSX's 17x7.5-inch, 5-spoke aluminum wheels will feature a polished finish with dark grey background, unique to the Special Edition model.

Inside, the TSX Special Edition makes use of sport-minded appointments including exclusive seating surfaces with perforated black Lux Suede® inserts with red backing. Unique red stitching, used for the seats, steering wheel and the shift knob, combines with red lighting for the instrument cluster gauges, overhead lighting and footwell lighting. Adding more appeal to the driver's footwell are aluminum pedal covers with a race-inspired look. Rounding out the Special Edition's interior upgrades is the use of bright silver plating for the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters along with black headliner material (standard TSX have grey headliner material).

The TSX Special Edition package makes use of Acura's acclaimed K24 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and will be available with either the close-ratio 6-speed manual or Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmissions. The TSX Special Edition will go on sale in late September and will make its public debut at the Orange County International Auto Show on September 22nd.