Acura wants to assure dealers that its plan to become a Tier 1 luxury brand – able to hang with Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus – is still underway. But according to Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., the key to playing with the big boys isn’t limited to what’s on showroom floors. Colliver told Automotive News, “Being a premium luxury brand is not just about product. It’s the way dealers handle customers. You’ve got to earn your way into the segment. You don’t necessarily have to have a $90,000 sedan to get there.”

Even though that formula seems to have worked for Lexus, Acura has different plans. The recently released TSX, RL and TL have set the tone for the next few years, and another crossover, designed to slot in between the RDX and MDX, is currently under development.

Colliver also mentioned that work on the NSX replacement is “mostly done,” so even though Honda shelved the V10 supercar to cut costs and keep an even keel during the economic downturn, the NSX could be pulled out of the corporate garage, dusted off and brought to market once conditions improve.

Acura’s entry-level image could help the automaker weather the economic downturn better than its rivals from Germany and Japan, but when the market firms up, Acura will need products (with high-output engines and RWD) at the ready to compete with the stalwarts of the luxury set.

The month of October seems to be turning into a nightmare for the auto industry worldwide. A few days after we learned that U.S. auto sales plummeted 32% in October to the lowest monthly for nearly a quarter of a century, London-based Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) announced that U.K. registrations of new cars plunged 23% to 128,352 in October from 166,797 a year earlier. “October has proved another difficult month for the UK motor industry and action is needed to help restore consumer confidence and encourage buyers back to the showrooms,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.

Up for grabs and with 56 bids registered bids, we have eBay item number: 270287784055. The lucky top bidder gets a Ferrari 360 Modena and an Acura NSX, but only needs one parking spot. The product description explains the impossible, while almost making this thing sound appealing. “The best parts of both cars were used to build an exclusive new vehicle. The appearance comes from the Ferrari 360 Modena, the quality and reliability from [a] Honda NSX… this is definitely no comparison to the Toyota MR2, Peugeot 306, or Pontiac Fierro [sic] conversions…”

So you get a 94,000 km, 300 hp, Acura NSX with a custom body and interior that make it look something like a Ferrari 360. Lighter, more reliable, and cheaper to maintain than a Ferrari, presumably more lust-worthy than a stock-bodied NSX, and all for just EUR 25,500.

While the front and rear views might make you think it’s a real Ferrari at first glance, that NSX greenhouse makes any other angle a dead giveaway. The builder didn’t do a bad job, but it’s just another project that has us scratching our heads and asking, “Why?” It’s in Zurich, Switzerland if you’re interested. Thanks for the tip, Emanuel!

Acura is again tossing enthusiasts a bone with a new six-speed manual transmission option for their 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD model. While the 2009 model is only available with a five-speed automatic with paddle shifters, next year will mark the return of the stick shift — and the first time Acura has paired their SH-AWD with a manual transmission. The six-speed is all-new, and stronger than the manual last used in the 2008 model. It features a more rigid aluminum case and heavy-duty internals. New gear synchronizers improve accuracy while a standard short-throw shifter improves feel. In addition to the six-speed manual, the TL SH-AWD receives “Hill Start Assistant” to hold the vehicle on hills during a start, and special enthusiast-oriented suspension tuning for flatter cornering. The manual transmission also comes with stiffer engine and transmission bushings, heavy-duty front driveshafts, and stronger CV joints. Best of all, the manual transmission weighs 88 lbs. less than the automatic, moving the TL’s weight distribution even further rearward.

Acura’s new design language, as seen on the 2009 TL, is fronted by a shield-like appendage that has received mixed reviews. The Acura 2+1 — the numbers describe the seating arrangement — by design student Leon Paz is what would happen if you took the shield theme to one natural conclusion. By maintaining the edge throughout the concept’s “modern baroque styling,” Paz has come up we something we kinda dig.

The body is fashioned from a plastic that is harder than fiberglass, and Paz has done a great job in creating lines that evoke skin stretched over a frame. The upper surface is one continuous window that shows off the twin-turbo V6 and the Acura logo for the cylinder covers. There is no hood — at your yearly service, the dealer would lift the glass and perform any engine maintenance.

The 2+1 would be an aspirational step for those who want an NSX but can’t afford one yet. Based on what we’ve seen of the NSX so far, we’d probably rather have the 2+1. However, our most pressing question about the car isn’t about the design — we really want to know what is the meaning of “OW AHH” scrolled in LED’s across the rear? Check out the gallery of high-res images below, and maybe you can tell us…

Remember when Superman chose to relinquish his super powers for love in the Man of Steel’s first sequel? Without that ‘S’ on his chest, Clark Kent quickly got the crap kicked out of him by a truck driver. If the 2009 Acura RL (right) with its giant shield grille is Superman, then the Euro-only 2009 Honda Legend is surely Clark Kent. So many people have decried the new shield grille that we thought it’d be interesting to gauge reaction to the new Legend, which is basically the same car as the RL without the Acura overtones. To our eyes the Legend’s new face is as boring and uninteresting as Acura’s new grille is obnoxious, which truly does it make it the Clark Kent of cars.

Acura up amidst XM Satellite Radio, a leader in satellite radio satellite amidst in 7 million subscribers, is able to be presenting a the remarkably first and foremost complimentary satellite radio utility application for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles.

“Acura’s CPO bill am able to introduce XM Satellite Radio to a new and on the rise category of customers,” assumed Steve Cook, executive vice president, Automotive, XM Satellite Radio. “XM’s get in touch with would now offer to Acura’s pre-owned clientele who ask for the same elevated performance criteria and superiority as properties hold appear to imagine surrounded by a kind new Acura.”

The complimentary help is planning to be delivered for a time of 3 months. Said complimentary service, that is planning to craft this moment on their way fall, ought to be handed out on CPO Acura cases amidst factory-installed XM Satellite Radio. These patterns record Acura RL, TL, TSX and MDX. Aside out of that, every CPO Acura am able to not be responsible to pay the activation fee. All Acura CPO vehicles are moreover considering a certified limited warranty of 12 months/12,000 miles as favorably as a 7-year/100,000 mile Powertrain Limited Warranty.

“Whether properties pick to invest in a new or Acura Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, our mortgage holders get an ownership encounters the current is instant to none,” claimed Dan Crowe, Automobile Remarketing Manager for Acura. “With the expansion of XM Satellite Radio to our general 2007 new exemplary line, it is just fitting so we in addition end up with the nation’s largest satellite radio care to our Certified Pre-Owned customers.”

On the funny things hand, the automaker inspects, certifies and remarkets in 35,000 previously-owned vehicles per year, one-third of that portions the usual XM Satellite Radio. According to the automaker assumed are sure would grow during while due to the fact that XM Satellite Radio is planning to be integrated to additionally Acura vehicles.

Aside on Acura, XM Satellite Radio is moreover a partner of a greater amount of big names in the automotive world. In fact, its treatment is moreover integrated in the vehicles of General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Porsche, Hyundai, Subaru and Suzuki.

Designed to fuse and to connect the car and the driver, the Acura EL boasts a exceptionally quality driving and riding experience. This car is famed as a spirited car for it holds fuel and precision so connects the driver amid the road. Even if this moment is so, the Acura EL in addition has a strange styling the present exudes elegance and sophistication. Most homeowners who suffer kept on able to solve and take a closer seem at the Acura EL exclaim so it is essentially significantly as a Honda Civic even though simply the kind has carried on changed. The automobile is later economical, offers an magnificent and clever performance, as decently allows easy comfort.

The Acura EL has a redesigned grille and headlights. It too contains clean lines based on data from the rear deck who permits the Acura EL a various European look. Made out there in two trim market value that comprise of the elegant touring storey and the lavish Premium, right now car may news riders and drivers provided its beauty, refinement, and dynamic performance. The car in addition boats an massive linear steering as enormously as a particular four-wheel impel who has independent suspension. Drivers and passengers of the Acura EL may be looking at a superb road feel as perfectly as a valuable and weird control.

Powering presently car is a acutely responsive 1.7 liter VTEC engine too is acutely even eligible of generating 127 horsepower. Along amid it is a four rapidity manual transmission, or the optional uni swiftness automatic transmission. The car idles silently, has the ability to accelerate smoothly, can run amongst efficiency, and it furthermore responds to inputs immediately. It will be quiet and serene throughout driving yet it boasts a boundless brand of power the present is going to throw the car off the streets. For convenience, the Acura EL too has the Logic Control System installed.

The cabin exudes sophistication. Other safety aspects obtained regular key in double step front airbags, part airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), and child safety locks. As per regular features, the Acura EL boasts an automatic climate control, a steering wheel wrapped in leather, a cruise control, fuel windows, electricity door locks, person colored mirrors, person colored handles, a remote keyless entry, tinted glass, heated front seats, and a gas sunroof. The control panel for right now car is easy to understand. It sports big buttons this is able to aide the driver and passengers to fast set the temperature, radio, or turn on or off the air conditioning and the rear defroster.

The Acura EL has carried on contrasted to greater amount of vehicles in its range. The catalog of competitors key in the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, the 2005 Dodge SX, the Ford Focus, the Honda Civic, the Hyundai Elantra, the Kia Spectra, the Mazda Mazda 3, and the Nissan Altima.

What plans to you see this is strange investing in the new Acura TL as opposed to in earliest versions? Having taken a few test runs among the new version of the Acura TL, there are ensured differences. You see, it has kept on redesigned in the the preceding couple of decades so the Audi and BMW drivers a different luxury car option. This is yet a different luxury sports car the present is a combination of performance and value.
The Acura TL has will be a slight duration from what i read in 2004 when all of the big fluxes got made. It is a good deal rooted on the Honda Accord, but there are a couple of fluctuations in the styling of the car and the powertrain. There are as well selected extra upscale characteristics to the 2005 version of the Acura TL.
Performance wise, the 2005 Acura TL starts off surrounded by a 270-horsepower, 3.2 liter, 24-valve V6 engine. You can get your selection of a five-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual.
Standard in on the 2005 Acura TL are 17-inch wheels such a are equipped in on antilock four-wheel disc brakes as good as a process for anti-skid. These median aspects add to the excellent handling too is associated in that version of the Acura TL. It steers positively and maneuvers only in traffic. Most say it has a stable feel in income and overly the wheels, at 17 inches, alone add to so feel.
Standard on the interior of the Acura TL is leather upholstery. It is a comfortable and appealing leather overly looks like it’s superb investing in the aluminum trim on the interior as well. The gauges are electroluminescent providing red backlighting too leads them both fashionable and easy to looked through at night. In addition, heated seats in the front, XM satellite radio, voice-recognition navigation, and heated gas door mirrors are simply a few of the multitude of regular luxury aspects obtainable on currently sports sedan. Then there is the cruise control, air conditioning, and precise front seat climate control, that are additionally all standard.
Comfort wise, the Acura TL seems sensible the initiative as well. There is a lot of leg room in the front seat. The car is received for style and front seat comfort, but you may see the coming back seat a miniscule bit cramped at times. There is moreover limited space for storage. It is, however, a superb car for making a date out on the town or cropping up at a party in. It processes income and weather among equal ease and grace, so it if a superior struggle car as well.
You suffer witnessed the Acura TL sitting on the lot and wondered how all the hype was about. You wondered if the 2005 example was an improvement and if the car was a example you could enjoy for your lifestyle. It unquestionably is not for everyone, but if you desire a sports sedan in on luxury and style to lead a statement on your behalf, afterward you may covet to think about picking a check at the 2005 Acura TL. It is realistic for handling money and bad weather as far as becoming stylized for your night out on the town. Either way, you owe yourself a look, go on, you can make out you seek to.

Your Acura dealer is traditionally your link between you and this Acura you hold your eye on. For instance, you may be able to get a unnoticed special rate employing a dealer closer to your location. Before plunking ebbed for a new car, do the research; a car is a massive investment. This is easy if you right now understand how take in car you want. Also, bear in mind who ensuing sending in for the car there are further values involved, registration and certifying making clearly two.

When you go to your Acura dealer, remember who he wants your business. Knowing presently and the truth which there are opposite dealers out there could take away the concern of shopping for a new car. Before much venturing inside the dealership, get quotes for additional dealers for the same automobile and let the dealer can make out so you hold that information. Showing which you did your homework may grow your bargaining power. You may continuing to get quotes throughout the telephone or interweb on the Acura dealer you ought to be visiting.

Don’t feel bad right about bargaining, the sticker price levels is not the better costs the current the car can be purchased for. Ask problems if you are unsure of terms used up and how you are purchasing for your money. The after info can blessing you in becoming the smartest deal:

·    Visit Edmunds.com and seem for the True Market Value of the car you want

·    Calculate the advertised rebates (if any)

·    Ask them for this perfect expenditure founded on how you know

Finally, if you are not comfortable working at market in a a small amount of dealership or salesperson, take your industry elsewhere. You cannot function at your optimal rate if you are not comfortable amongst the old customer you are wrestling with. Once you are satisfied the you are making offered a fair price, it is era to seal the deal.