Honda Accord Euro (Acura TSX here in North America) : decision on future due within months

by Tim Beissmann of www.caradvice.com.au

A decision on the future of the Honda Accord Euro is expected in the coming months, ending years of speculation about the ageing mid-sizer.

Honda Australia director Stephen Collins told CarAdvice he had no news about the model at this stage, though said a final ruling from head office was not far away.

“I would expect a decision on Accord Euro in the next month or so,” Collins said.

He said the local division was pushing hard for a successor to the Accord Euro, though said larger markets would determine its future.

“The decision more so rests on what happens out of Europe,” he said.

“But I can guarantee you that we’re fighting to keep our two Accord strategy going because it’s been hugely successful for us. So if there is one that becomes available then we’ll absolutely be going for it.”

The Honda Accord Euro has been a pillar for the brand for much of the past decade. Sales topped 10,000 in 2005 and 2006, and averaged 6257 between 2007 and 2012. Sales rose 26 per cent in 2012 to 6155, though fell off a cliff last year, plummeting 70 per cent to 1834. It’s down a further 56 per cent so far this year, with only 352 sales in the first four months, and just 44 in April.

Collins says the local division remains committed to the current Accord Euro into 2015, though admitted its future beyond that was less clear.

“We’re absolutely committed to the current one into next year, and beyond that is the uncertainty at this time. It is [struggling, but] our focus has very much been on the wide-body Accord.”

Collins said while many questions remained about the potential new model, he said what was certain was that a new-generation model would not be based on the new left-hand-drive Acura TLX.

“It’s still to be decided if it’s a goer or not … but what I do know is that it’s not a version of the Acura.”

The second-generation Accord Euro was twinned to a US model, the Acura TSX, which is about to be replaced by the TLX.

Honda has also ruled out the new Accord Euro being based on the new Chinese Honda Spirior.
Collins said logic suggested a new Accord Euro would share its basic underpinnings with the wide-body Accord.

He admitted that with so many details still up in the air, an all-new model would be unlikely to emerge until 2016 at the earliest.

Source;
http://www.caradvice.com.au/286475/honda-accord-euro-decision-on-future-due-within-months/

Acura RL Replacement Coming in April, TL or TSX To Get Axed

Acura’s replacement for the aged RL will greet the public in April at the New York auto show. The model is desperately needed for the brand, which has struggled on the periphery of the luxury world since its birth as the first upscale Japanese nameplate 25 years ago.

The next flagship sedan—the company’s trepidation at calling it the RL gives us naive hope it’ll be named the Legend—is meant to embody the brand’s identity. A rendering we saw looked a lot like a bloated TL. So, uh, what exactly is the Acura brand identity?

According to the company’s execs, the flagship sedan will be relatively lightweight, nimble, and economical. It also will feature Honda’s new hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which uses a V-6 to power the front wheels and two electric motors for the rears. (You can read more about how the system works, and our drive of a car with a prototype of the system, here.)

Acura says that creating a spacious interior was a very high priority. As opposed to the new Honda Civic–based ILX, which will be pitched to younger buyers, the flagship sedan is meant to appeal to slightly older customers. As such, Acura’s engineers and designers focused on creating a car that would comfortably take a second couple out to dinner, and has a large-enough trunk to handle larger parcels. A product planner says that interior space will be comparable to that of a BMW 7-series, even though the vehicle’s exterior dimensions will be more like a 5er’s.

The flagship will sit atop a three-sedan product line. Currently, the company offers the TSX, the TL, and the RL. With the addition of the ILX and the confirmation of a replacement for the RL, that makes it likely that either the TSX or TL is on the chopping block. An alternative scenario sees the RL name dying off, with the new flagship wearing TL badging. In that case, the TSX—which is derived from the European Honda Accord—could hang around, with the ILX serving as a gateway to the brand.

The latter approach makes a little more sense—TL and TSX are arguably the most recognizable names in the Acura car family—but it strikes us as a little confusing. The ILX is being introduced as a low-cost entryway to the Acura brand; wasn’t that the point of the TSX when it originally launched? The first-gen car, having been bred to compete with the Ford Mondeo and lesser BMW 3-series models in Europe, was a precise handler and perfectly sized. Had this generation of TSX/Euro Accord not grown, there wouldn’t be a need for something smaller. But it did grow—into something a bit disappointing.

The TL has succeeded as Acura’s mainstay sedan for more than a decade in spite of having a forgettable alphanumeric name. It really is the modern-day Legend, and it seems like a mistake to cancel one of your better-known products. But it’s large, quite powerful, and offers all-wheel drive; with the new, bigger flagship on the way, what’s the point of keeping it?

In explaining the too-close positioning of the present-day RL and TL, an Acura product planner told us, “We made the same mistake twice.” (The first being the overlap of the Vigor and Legend in the 1990s.) Let’s hope the current sedan restructuring isn’t a third time.

Source;
http://blog.caranddriver.com/acura-rl-replacement-coming-in-april-tl-or-tsx-to-get-axed/

Early look at next-generation Honda Accord Euro (Acura TSX)

A range-topping model will reportedly get a dual-clutch transmission and AWD powertrain.

The Honda Accord Euro (Acura TSX) is one of the most stylish and well rounded vehicles in the lower premium midsize sedan market. Its combination of chiselled good looks, refined and fuel-efficient powertrains, high-quality finish and craftsmanship, and extensive standard features list makes it a winner in the eyes of most new car buyers.

The latest version of the car was only introduced late last year but we already have a number of details including a preview sketch of the next model due in 2011. This will be the eighth generation of the popular nameplate, and if this sketch is anything to go by it will be the most aggressive and sportiest version yet.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, where this image was sourced, the new Accord Euro will adopt more coupe-like styling, with short overhangs front and rear, and a very high waistline. The front-end will retain the broad look of the current model but will be positioned closer to the ground for a more aggressive look.

The current 2.4L four-cylinder petrol engine should carry over as well as the six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. New, however, could be a range topping ‘Type-S’ model with a 2.3L turbocharged petrol engine with 260hp (194kW) mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and Super Handling AWD powertrain. Let’s hope that the U.S.-spec Acura TSX will also get this exciting performance option.

Source;

http://www.motorauthority.com/early-look-at-next-generation-honda-accord-euro-acura-tsx.html