Truck of the Year Finalist

Honda's new 2012 CR-V has made it on the final list of SUVs to be crowned North American Truck of the Year. The CR-V will be pitted against the new BMW X3 and the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. The winner will be announced during the Detroit Show in January 2012.

Acura's Future In-Depth

The information in this post was taken from a debriefing with reporters following Acura's announcement of the models to be presented at the NYIAS show next year. 

Acura's New Flagship (potentially named Legend, may be phasing out RL) - Late 2012

Acura is saying that it will redefine smart luxury with its new flagship model saying that it will offer best in class legroom but will be smaller on the outside. Think BMW 7-Series cabin space but with the agility of a BMW 5-Series is what Acura's Product Planning VP says. Images were projected during the meeting and it appears that it does bear a strong resemblance to the current RL but the styling is wrapped around a much more luxurious package. A conservative and clean design will be offered that is subtle but not very exciting either. The wheelbase is slightly longer but there are some moderate overhangs with a Hoffmeister kink on the C-pillar. Exhaust finishers will be integrated in the lower rear bumper and there will be LED elements in the front headlights. The new Legend/RL will feature the electric SH-AWD promising V8 performance with better than 4-cylinder fuel economy. Model to be featured at the NYIAS Show next year. 

Acura's RDX - Mid-2012

Honda has decided to put in a V6 for the next iteration of the RDX with more horsepower and much better fuel consumption that should address the awful turbo fuel consumption of the current model. A new and more light-weight AWD system will be replacing the SH-AWD system in the compact SUV. It turns out from the photos given that the RDX now bears a stronger resemblance to the MDX and has a similar C-pillar section. The majority of the hatchback now shares a subtle and a flat look compared to the current version with some MDX elements scattered through the car. 

Acura's NSX Concept - TBA

The concept that Acura will be unveiling next year at the Detroit Auto Show is almost the same car that was spied on the Avengers set last month but is further developed and in the hard-top form. This will carry the same NSX tradition of a mid-engine, RWD layout and has styling cues similar to the Audi R8. There are 5 squircle projecters in each front headlight with a flying buttress C-pillar that can channel air more smoothly around the cockpit of the car. Acura also announced that a new engine with a new layout will be planned for this vehicle as they claimed that their Electric SH-AWD and 3.5 DI V6 was not powerful enough. It should be noted that the combination of the V6 with the 7-speed dual clutch can have a peak of 400hp. Perhaps the new NSX will generate near 500hp but Acura did not provide any other details. 

Acura's ILX (sub-TSX) - Late 2012

Acura also previewed its new small entry level luxury compact that will show up at the Detroit Show next year. The key design element with this vehicle is the pronounced crease that starts in the doors and curves up over the rear wheelwells and the inclusion of the Hoffmeister kink in the rear C-pillar. It has a relatively long nose, stubby rear deck and a high beltline. More photos to come when the car is released. The ILX will be offered with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 1.5L IMA Hybrid engine will also be featured in the model. Acura's ILX may be in showrooms by next summer.

Goodbye TSX?

With the introduction of the ILX and the placement of the RL, Acura has several overlapping models in its entry level luxury car category. The ILX, TSX and TL will all be overlapping each other in some sort. Acura has clearly stated that it will go with a 3-sedan, 2-SUV strategy so between the TSX and TL, one of them will be forced to clear the way. Perhaps it will be the TSX? Or the TL? Either way, the situation stands in several perspectives, the ILX may replace the TSX, the TSX may replace the TL or a new model may replace BOTH the TSX and the TL. We'll keep you updated. 

Future of Acura

NSX Rendering

Acura announced today that it will unveil three all-new vehicles at the 2012 North American International Auto Show including an all-new compact sports sedan, a redesigned RDX crossover SUV, and a concept version of the next generation Acura NSX super car. 

The Acura ILX Concept is a styling study of an all-new luxury compact sedan scheduled for launch in spring 2012. To be positioned at the gateway to the Acura lineup, the ILX will feature three powertrains including Acura's first-ever gas-electric hybrid. Acura also will unveil a prototype of the 2013 RDX, the second generation of Acura's five-passenger SUV. Finally, Acura will debut the NSX Concept, which represents the styling direction for the next generation of Acura's super sports car. 

"Acura has a steady cadence of exciting new models coming to market and it will all begin in Detroit," said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura sales and service. "From the all-new Acura ILX at the gateway of the lineup to the pinnacle of performance with the Acura NSX Concept, Acura vehicles are being created for luxury customers who aspire to the highest levels of quality and value, with beautiful styling and the right balance of technology, performance and environmental responsibility." 

All three vehicles will be introduced at the North America International Auto Show on January 9, 2012. The press conference will be webcast live on www.acuranews.com. 

2012 Honda CR-V On Sale! (U.S.)

Honda has just released the 2012 Honda CR-V stateside with an average price increase of $181, however Honda says that the average consumer will be getting over $1000 extra in equipment for their money. The base LX now starts at $23 105 including the $810 destination fee and the top EX-L AWD now starts at $29 805 with the EX-L AWD NAVI starting at $30 605, down $300 from the 2011 model. An easier fold-down rear seat, an SMS text messaging dictation function, increased power and fuel economy all make up the extra $1000 in equipment.

-LX FWD $23,105

-LX AWD $24,355
-EX FWD $25,205
-EX AWD $26,455
-EX-L FWD $27,855
-EX-L AWD $29,105
-EX-L FWD with rear entertainment system (RES) $28,555
-EX-L AWD with RES $29,805
-EX-L FWD with navigation $29,355
-EX-L AWD with navigation $30,605

*All prices include $810 destination fee

EV-STER Bound For Production?

The latest rumor to come out of the Honda doors is that the EV-STER concept seen at the Tokyo Motor Show may be going into production. The concept is a kei-car and is essentially the same size as the Honda Beat. It is powered by a 78-hp lithium ion motor and can hit 60km/h in 5 seconds with power going to the rear wheels. The electric car has a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 100mph. No word on the production size or power of the gas engine.

No idea when it may come to North America, we'll keep you posted.

Honda Battles TrueCar

Honda is embroiled over a fight between its dealers and prices being displayed over at TrueCar.com. Honda has told dealers that it will not give them allowances for advertising if they continue to advertise vehicles below invoice on TrueCar.com, an internet auto sales service. Honda thinks that disclosing the cut-rate prices is damaging the brand and is making dealers compete with one another for buyers rather than with other automakers. What the deal with TrueCar is, is that the prices at which dealers are willing to sell cars at, are disclosed to all the visitors on the site. TrueCar is owned by several of the US' largest auto shopping services.

Honda's part of the issue is that it wants to protect its brand image and support pricing. Honda's attempt to withdraw its dealers from participating in this website extends to Acura dealerships. Advertising allowances that may be cut can allocate up to $600 a vehicle.

Industry analysts say Honda's decision may backfire as Honda shoppers that access the website will notice that there are no longer any Honda vehicles on the website and they will simply move to other brands / dealerships who are advertising their cars on the site, including Honda's competitors, Toyota and Nissan.